What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

I’m incredibly proud of the gender balance and mutual respect that exists at Simpsons, with a 50/50 female/male split, starting at the top with myself and Charles as Co-Founders of the business and then across all areas from the vineyard, into the winery as well as in Sales, Marketing, Events and Administration.  As a woman in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, this brings me enormous satisfaction and I am keen to encourage more women and also people from more diverse backgrounds to seek out opportunities in wine.  Within the UK wine industry, women are becoming increasingly well represented, something that is reflected in our representative body, WineGB, where the Chairperson is a woman and I am one of 4 other female Directors on the 9-person Board.  

      Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

Asking for a favourite wine is like asking which is our favourite child!  It does also vary, depending on how particular vintages are developing and where and how you are drinking them.  Currently, my favourite has to be our Q Class Pinot Noir 2020, which is available only in Magnum format.  We had never dreamt that we would be able to create world class, still red wine in England, however the success of our Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir gave us the confidence to push the boundaries even further.  The idyllic 2020 harvest conditions, together with an outstanding parcel of Pinot Noir on the Railway Hill Vineyard site, presented the perfect opportunity and the resulting Q Class is truly magnificent! 

    What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

I have a big soft spot for Taittinger’s Comte de Champagne, having had the good fortune to try a 1999 vintage at a wine collector’s home a few years ago.  We have some vintage 2006, 2007 and 2011 in our cellar and love the complexity and finesse of this wine.  The 2011 was given to us by our elder daughter who has just finished an internship with Taittinger, providing tours of their chalk cellars in Reims and with Taittinger now established as one of our friends and neighbours in Kent with the Domaine Evremond project, this wine also has very personal connections. 

      What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

Working as a woman in the English wine industry entails breaking down barriers and defying stereotypes. It involves joining a rapidly expanding community of female winemakers, viticulturists, sommeliers, and entrepreneurs who are playing a key role in the industry's triumph. Moreover, it entails serving as a role model for other women and advocating for diversity and inclusivity in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. In my view, the wine industry has made noteworthy strides, and I take immense pride in recognising that women are valued for their unique contributions to the field.

     Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

I don't have a fixed favourite wine, as it changes with each vintage. However, for the upcoming 2022 vintage, I am particularly excited about the Derringstone Pinot Meunier Blanc de Noirs, which I believe has a unique and appealing flavour profile that showcases the best of the English wine industry.

What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

There are countless amazing wines out there that I would be thrilled to enjoy on a daily basis, but one that stands out to me is the Joseph Drouhin Clos de Mouches. I had the pleasure of tasting it for the first time with my former boss, Carlos, at his wine shop in Chelsea, where we tried all the latest releases from this particular producer. The 2018 vintage was especially memorable, as it impressed me with its incredible complexity and concentration of fruit, all while maintaining a fresh and easy-drinking quality. It left a lasting impression on me and is definitely a wine I would recommend to any enthusiast.

      What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

I feel very proud to contribute to a growing industry, full of talented role models for women. The passion every individual has towards their career is truly inspiring and motivating, I look forward to where this journey will take me!

     Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

My favourite wine from the Simpsons’ range is the Canterbury Rose Sparkling Rosé 2019. I’m a sucker for anything pink, especially wine; and this is  absolutely delicious. 

    What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

My “desert island wine” would be my favourite pour at the moment, which also happens to be from our Sister Estate, Domaine Sainte Rose. It is the luxurious Barrel Selection Roussanne, which is complex and rich. I would contently drink this day in and day out!

      What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

Working in English wine is a dream come true for me, so what it means to me is a bit more individual, I suppose. I’ve met incredible people in the industry, both women and men. We’ve got a good proportion of inspirational, real ‘salt of the earth’ types. 

      Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

It’s so hard to choose just one! They all have their moments in the sun. But as the topic is desert island wine, I’d have to pick White Cliffs Blanc de Blancs 2018. It’s good company, that one. Though I’ve got my eye on the new Derringstone Pinot Meunier 2022. I’m looking forward to its release later this spring.

    What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

Ghislaine Bartod Chambolle Musigny 2003, although a more recent vintage would be fine, too. I was introduced to it by Isabelle Legeron at a series of tastings she hosted before she became an MW, and it has been my favourite all this time. Burgundy has become so much dearer than it was back then. I’m holding out for an English Pinot Noir that tops it and I don’t think we’re far off. Come on England!

    What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

I come from a wine region in Slovakia, my Dad makes wine and it’s always been part of my life. Having said that, if you had told me 20 years ago that I would end up working for a local English wine producer then I would most definitely not believe you. I’m extremely proud to be part of this super exciting boom that the English wine industry is going through at the moment. I love my job and would never go back to anything I did before. It’s also wonderful to see so many other women following their passion and changing their career paths at various points of their lives to join this rewarding and ever-growing industry. 

      Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

This really does vary depending on the season, my mood and what’s the occasion! Right now, I’m really enjoying our Canterbury Rose 2019. I’m usually not a big rosé fan, particularly when it comes to sparkling but I’m so blown away by how much character this particular vintage is offering. It has never been more balanced than now in my opinion, with beautifully inviting floral aromas, particularly rose petal and violet, leading onto generous wild berry flavours with a refreshing sorbet like finish! Super crisp, yet full in body, just what I love in a great bottle of fizz!

    What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

I love a good quality, classic, dry Riesling from wherever it might be. Particularly the slightly older vintages that develop those controversial gasoline/petrol notes on the nose. They are so intriguing, simultaneously pushing me away and pulling me back again, I just love that feeling! That would definitely be my kind of a desert island wine that I could never get bored of! 

      What does it mean to be a woman working in the English wine industry?

I have been very fortunate to have been part of the team here at Simpsons’ since 2017 and to have experienced and contributed to the exciting journey the brand has been on thus far. It is a real joy to work alongside an amazing array of inspirational women, both within our team and across the sector as a whole, with the shared vision of raising the profile of English wine.

As a very innovative and still relatively young industry, which is continuing to break the mould in establishing such a new and dynamic wine region, I think it has given rise to some very engaging and exciting opportunities for women, which perhaps may be less prevalent in other sectors.  

Looking to the future, it has been wonderful to be able to organise and oversee a series of school outreach visits to the Estate - inspiring the women of the future to consider the diverse range of careers available across the English wine industry. Plus, I also really appreciate working in a family-focussed business, which has provided the flexibility to juggle my role with being a Mum too. It will be really exciting to see how the industry progresses as the next generation comes through and I am proud to be contributing to this path in some way. 

     Which wine is your favourite out of the Simpsons’ range?

Good question! Having worked at the Estate for nearly six years now, I have experienced the majority of the growing seasons, harvests, production cycles and launches for all our wines to date. Every year presents new challenges to overcome and successes to toast. It is hard not to be captivated by the blend of nature and science required to craft each wine and to revel in the journey from grape to glass. For me, the Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs is just sublime and it was a huge moment for the team when it was crowned “Best English Sparkling Wine” at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships last November. It oozes luxury and is an utter joy to pour for friends and family on special occasions, showcasing the exceptional quality of English wine. 

    What is your “desert island wine” – one that holds special memories or your favourite pour?

I studied Italian at university and spent time living in Umbria, which provided the perfect opportunity to explore the country from top to toe and to do some island hopping too! I adore the epicurean way of life there, revelling in the local cuisine, always painstakingly prepared with incredibly fresh, seasonal produce, with delicious regional wine to be enjoyed alongside it. Day-to-day, my go-to pour ranges from a juicy Nebbiolo to some more intense, sun-soaked red wines, embodying the fiery terroir of the volcanic southern regions.

Here it seems fitting to celebrate ‘Women in Wine’ globally, so I’d choose Arianna Occhipinti’s ‘SP68 Rosso’, from the Ragusa region of Sicily. Biodynamically grown, this is a local hero blend of predominantly Frappato with a touch of Nero d’Avola to add spice and body. It is a vivid wine, plush, and silky, with juicy notes of sour cherry, cranberry, crunchy red fruit, and dark fruit compote. It’s my mission to explore the wineries on the island one day, however this evocative drop made for the perfect companion to my visual escapism, whilst engrossed in Season 2 of White Lotus! Cin cin!