Monday, 13 October 2025 14:25

Women in Wine: Progress and leadership in New Zealand's wine industry

Written by Sophie Preece

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Claire Pinker, Viticulturist at Vinarchy, was part of the 'Uncorked - Inspiring tales from the top of their game' winter seminar.

Women have been central to winemaking for millennia, says Women in Wine Chair Jo Cribb.

"We actually started the whole gig as Egyptian priestesses overseeing the first temple vineyards, through to pioneering Madame Cliquot and the world-leading winemakers and viticulturists of today."

Speaking at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Women in Wine Connect event, Jo addressed the question of why the programme is necessary.

It is, she said, about ensuring there are no barriers to the industry drawing on the widest possible talent pool.

In 2021 the overall median average gap for base salary for all roles in the wine industry was 7.8%, compared to a national average of 9.1%, according to a 2023 Strategic Pay report commissioned by New Zealand Winegrowers.

Jo says NZW's upcoming New Zealand Wine People report offers an update on measures to reduce barriers and ensure opportunities for progression in the industry. It shows progress, especially around women in leadership roles, "but there is still work to do".

Nicky Grandorge, who manages the Women in Wine programme for NZW, highlighted the myriad roles wine women occupy, from tourism, marketing, finance and sales, to research, winemaking and viticulture. And there are many more coming into the industry, "which is very exciting", she says. "They're full of big ideas and great ambition, and I think that means that the future is well for our industry, and for women working in it."

Attendees also heard from the inspiring Ali Adams, Chief Executive of economic development agency ChristchurchNZ, and from Minister for Women Nicola Grigg.

In late August, the minister announced that New Zealand's gender pay gap had decreased from 8.2% to 5.2% in the June 2025 quarter, according to Stats NZ data.

Women in Wine Webinars

The four-part Women in Wine Winter Development Series is a great resource to inspire and help members to progress and reach their goals, says New Zealand Winegrowers Leadership & Communities Manager Nicky Grandorge.

The series includes expert speakers discussing:

'Pressing Matters - How to have hard conversations'
'Grape Ambitions - Landing the Perfect Job'
'Cultivating a Yes - The art of influence and persuasion'
'Uncorked - Inspiring tales from the top of their game'

Find the webinars at nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/women-in-wine

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