Wine is a passion of the heart, a true labor of love that requires all the senses, physical labor and patience, with none in small quantities. From backgrounds as diverse as law, healthcare and art, these trailblazing women are creators, working tirelessly with love in all they do, transferring their energy into the wines they make.

Each create wines of vibrancy and spirit, showcasing some of the best terroir the Rogue Valley has to offer.

Rachel Martin, who started in the wine business in 2002, as an apprentice under the late Sarah Powell, said, “It was sort of a boys club.” Currently, percentages across the international wine world are changing. Today, the number of female winemakers is almost 18% — up from 14% in 2020.

Raise your glass to the strength, love and passion of women.

Ashley Campanella — Winemaker at EdenVale Winery since 2008. She was unavailable for comment.

Linda Donovan — Pallet Wine Co. opened the first custom crush facility in Southern Oregon in 2009. Linda also creates her own L. Donovan wines. As her business grew and she needed more space, she bought the empty lots next door. The entire city block is now hers, and branded City Center Wine District. She’ll be opening her second tasting room, the elegant District Wine Bar soon. In her winemaking she looks for “typicité,” a term she describes as “unprocessed true flavors.”

Sara Garr — While being Winemaker and Creative Director for her own wine label, Circadian Cellars, she also claims the status of “Chief Cellar Rat,” as well as an assistant winemaker locally. A Medford native, Garr said, “Wine was never meant to be a class identifier or for just the rich, to me it’s about everyday luxury and living in a rich way.” Garr continued, “I want unique wines full of character and pizazz, backed by authenticity and craftsmanship with the sort of nostalgic whimsy that caught my eye in the first place.”

Rachael Martin — She grew up in the Rogue Valley. After several years away as a criminal lawyer, she returned as a “hometown girl,” starting Red Lily Vineyards in the Applegate Valley. As owner and winemaker she’s known for her big, bold Spanish varietal wines, along with splashes of fresh whites and Portuguese varieties. Stylishly wearing knee high red rubber boots she says she loves “girl power in the barrel room. It puts a pep in my step.”

Stephanie Pao — Winemaker with Foris in Cave Junction, the state’s southernmost winery. She was unavailable for comment but recently when I was eating at Floret in the Seattle airport, I checked out the wine menu. I was delighted to see that Foris Pinot Noir was the only Pinot offered. Kudos to Foris on that!

Rene Brons — Winemaker at Schmidt Family Vineyards, near Grants Pass in the Applegate Valley, Brons works with 20 estate grown varietals. Coming from both an art and chemistry background, she does all the lab work and still finds time to paint. As a WSET Level 1 sommelier she said, “I appreciate and enjoy working with the diversity Southern Oregon offers.”

Nichole Schulte — Winemaker with Barrel 42/Quady North. While in law school, Schulte studied wine law; and while in France studying, she fell in love with Rhone varietals. Finding her way to Troon, then partnering to create Barrel 42, a local custom crush facility, Nichole has become known for making very good bubbles. In 2015/2016 she made the first Quady North sparkling rosé of Cabernet franc, which was an instant hit. Within a short time they found the resources to build a complete sparkling wine line, and were then able to offer sparkling wine as a service through the custom crush. “My goal is to get Southern Oregon known for sparkling wines. If I had only one contribution to Southern Oregon winemaking, I would want it to be this,” she said.

Up and coming newcomers

Kimberly Drake — After visiting Chile and enjoying a memorable wine experience, Drake became a wine enthusiast. As an attorney, she began making wine in her basement in Virginia. “You can appreciate wine,” she said, “but you have another level of appreciation for it when you try making it yourself.” Still practicing law, Resistance Wine Company in Ashland will be opening a tasting room soon.

Melissa LeBars — One half the “tag-teaming duo” of The Punch House winery and tasting room in Central Point, LeBars also works as an Intensive Care RN. Raised in Williams, the new winery was created in a barn on property purchased three years ago, and it’s been hands-on ever since. Starting with “literally one barrel” from the first vintage, they’ve steadily increased production. “We knew we wanted to be in control of the winemaking. The idea of having someone else make our wine was never an option for us. We like a fresh, aromatic and fruity style wine. Expect a feminine version of a wine, with a more delicate character,” she said.