60 highly rated wines made by women to drink on International Women's Day

Just over a decade ago, the first study that looked at the gender composition of the Australian grape and wine sector was published. The results were grim. 

Using data from 2007–2013, the study, conducted by Dr Jeremy Galbreath, then a professor at Curtin University, found that women made up less than 9 per cent of winemaking roles, 10 per cent of viticulturist roles, and less than 13 per cent of CEO roles. 

Wirra Wirra's Emma Wood.

In 2024, Dr Galbreath (now of Strateos Group), with funding from Wine Australia, conducted a follow-up study using data from 2021–2023. But while the findings showed significant advancement, with women representing almost 18 per cent of winemaking roles, 21.5 per cent of viticulturist roles, and almost 34 per cent of CEO roles in Australia – change still isn’t happening fast enough. 

According to Australian Grape & Wine, it will take over 200 years to achieve gender balance in winemaking roles at this rate – even considering the tireless efforts of initiatives such as Australian Women in Wine, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

It's a similar, although slightly more positive, story in New Zealand. Although a report commissioned by Women in Wine NZ found that change between 2017 and 2021 was slow, with women in winemaking and viticulture roles increasing marginally from 28 per cent to 33 per cent, a follow-up report conducted in 2024 showed a pleasing jump to 44 per cent across winemaking/viticulture and other senior roles.

Helen Masters, Ata Rangi.

But while women may still be underrepresented, particularly in winemaking roles, it's clear from the below list that they're making some of our best wines. This means advocating for gender diversity isn't just important because it's 'right'. More women means a stronger industry, and ultimately, better wine for you.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. Show your support for women in the Australian and New Zealand wine industries by purchasing and drinking wines made by female winemakers, such as those on the hefty, but by no means definitive, 60-strong list below.

You can also join the conversation online by posting a photo of what you're drinking to your social media channels with the hashtags #AccelerateAction #MarchForward #IWD2026 #WomenInWine, and by following and tagging @AustralianWomeninWine and @WomeninWineNZ.

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Hear from some of Australia's top female winemakers, including Melanie Chester, Virginia Willcock, Tessa Brown and Emily McNally, as they share their stories and insights on the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast. Listen here, or on your usual podcast platform, and remember to rate, share and subscribe so you never miss an episode.