Chiswick International Women’s Day Wine Market

What a Wonderful Day to celebrate International Women’s Day in Wine?

We have so many great women in the wine scene, and it was so good to have an event at Chiswick Woollahra to champion and celebrate this. Sydney put on an absolutely gorgeous Autumn day, with music, delicious food and of course beautiful people and beautiful wines.

On entrance, I was greeted and warmly welcomed by a familiar face and fan of the podcast, Mimi Mrazikova and Vikki Lou Peng (Aria Sommeliers). I slowly made my way around with some of the highlights being, the 2023 Lagarde Malbec — alluringly perfumed, expressive, generous and instantly engaging. Nearby, had a chat with Paula Pipan from Pipan Steel wines. Paula’s Nebbiolo range offered something even more intriguing: a chance to explore how different clonal expressions can shape the personality of the same grape variety. It’s the kind of learning experience that drove intrigue and wonder how each land, each vine has a different expression.  

There’s also something reassuring about meeting familiar producers like Oliver’s Taranga — wines that consistently deliver and remind you how strong and confident Australian wine continues to be across generations. Of course I had to taste the grenache and Fiano.

It was also great to finally meet Steffi Yayoi Snook from Yayoi wines. The focus on chenin was thoughtful, refined, and delicate that made you think straight away Japanese food pairing. Can’t wait!!!

Another interesting encounter on the afternoon came through Emily Spinaze of Glover Wines, representing the Hunter Valley. For many Australian wine drinkers, the surname Spinaze carries a familiar connection through Tyrrell’s, and hearing that story shared in person added another layer of depth to the experience. It’s a reminder that wine is often shaped quietly through families, mentorship and legacy — and increasingly through women stepping confidently into visible roles across the industry.

International Women’s Day in wine doesn’t always arrive with headlines. Sometimes it arrives through presence. Through knowledge shared generously. Through stories passed across a tasting table. And through the simple but powerful experience of seeing more women shaping the future of wine in ways that feel natural, confident and quietly transformative.