CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – As Central Virginia wine grows and national interest rises, some of the women behind the bottle are questioning equity within the industry.
For proof of a gender gap in the wine business, Eastwood Farm and Winery owner Athena Eastwood says just look at the numbers.
“How is it 2025 and there’s still only 17% of women who are winemakers?” Eastwood said. “It’s surprising.”
When Eastwood shifted her focus from environmental commodities law to open a winery, she thought gender disparities in the work force were a thing of her past. Quickly, however, she realized her women-led winery was a near anomaly in the industry, no matter where.
“It’s pretty consistent throughout the country, but it’s also pretty consistent throughout other industries,” Eastwood said.
Eastwood wanted to help close the gender gap in the wine industry, and she found a group of like-minded women. Virginia Women in Wine has set to work seeking answers about the gender gap and making change.
“Part of the mission of Virginia Women in Wine is to fund projects that are going to create meaningful conversation around the issues and help to advance women in wine and also to help advance Virginia wine,” Eastwood said.
The group recently published a report detailing the issues it sees and suggesting a path forward.
“A lot of it is because there’s a lot of this subconscious bias,” Eastwood said. “And I think with more opportunity it’s not going to be as big of an issue.”
Eastwood believes women are less likely to get their foot in the winemaking door, and less likely to get promotions.
However, Eastwood says this is no gender war.
“A lot of the issues we face are in spite of well-meaning people,” Eastwood said.
Men and women alike, Eastwood believes everyone wants the same thing.
“We’re building a wine region,” Eastwood said. “And the more prominent that the other wineries are, the more people that are gonna come visit us.”
Men in the wine industry have taken notice. Lovingston Winery owner Wes Roberts wants to welcome them with open arms.
“Look, they’re just as smart, just as capable, just as creative and just as excited about wine as everybody else,” Roberts said.
He’s not the only one feeling positive about the trend.
“I’ve been in this industry for about 28 years now and watching the influx of talent coming from all directions is wonderful,” said Jake Bushing, a winemaker at Eastwood.
Winemaker Jonathan Wheeler at Trump Winery says he’s seen it too.
“There are more and more every single year, and we’re gonna see changes as we go,” Wheeler said.
Eastwood believes rising tides lift all boats; more women leading vineyards is a win for everyone, but it will take work to reach equity.
“It’s so important to get women into these roles, Eastwood said, ”then for those women to help bring other women along.”
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