Richland, WA — The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine will hold a luncheon and fundraising event, “Great Women of Washington Wine,” to be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, WA.
This very special luncheon and panel discussion will celebrate some of the early women pioneers of the Washington wine industry. The honorees will share their stories of being women in a then-new and male-dominated industry and how their hard work, determination, and belief in their talents helped shape a now internationally recognized and respected wine region.
“The goal of the Great Women event is to shine a light on the women who were instrumental in establishing vineyards and wineries across the region, as well as those who forged paths in marketing and operations,” said Luanne Holden-Boushey, co-chair of the event and co-owner of Boushey Vineyards. “These women set a standard for excellence and cooperation that we still uphold today.”
The 2025 honorees are:
— Connie Crawford, grower, Crawford Farms
— Jean Ferguson, co-owner, L’Ecole Winery, presetned by Megan Clubb
— Darcey Fugman-Small, co-founder, Woodward Canyon Winery
— Patricia Gelles, co-owner, Klipsun Vineyards
— Julie Grieb, general manager, Treveri Cellars
— Lane Hoss, marketing and operations, Anthony’s Restaurants
— Peggy Patterson, co-owner, Hoodsport Winery
Cookbook author and culinary consultant Cynthia Nims will moderate the discussion. Tickets include a gourmet lunch, wine donated and poured by women winemakers from across the state, and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction to raise scholarship funds. Tickets are limited.
The Alliance will also be holding a casual welcome reception at WIT Cellars on Thursday, March 27 at 5pm. Women winemakers will also be pouring at this event. Limited tickets are available.
Funds raised will benefit the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine Scholarship program that was developed in partnership with the Washington Wine Industry Foundation. A yearly $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a female or female-identifying student enrolled in a viticulture, enology, or wine business degree program in Washington state.
“Our goal is for women in the wine industry to grow and feel supported in their careers,” said K.D. Organ, Alliance president and Pacific Northwest sales manager for Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage. “Education is key to that. Receiving a scholarship can be life-changing for emerging professionals. If we want to see more growth in and recognition for Washington wine, we must financially support the female students ready to make the leap into the industry.”
Tickets for the “Great Women of Washington Wine” luncheon and panel discussion and for the Welcome Reception are available at: https://awwawine.org/events-1
About the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine:
The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine is a volunteer-run, 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to inspire, connect, and advance women and their advocates in the Washington wine industry. Education is at the core of all the Alliance does. The Alliance is committed to building a safe and equitable community for women to learn from and with one another.