Celebrate Women’s Day With Two Pioneering Winemakers
Barbara Widmer, Chief Winemaker, Brancaia, Italy
Barbara’s wine journey began over 40 years ago when her parents Brigitte and Bruno Widmer took a shine to Tuscany vineland, especially the Brancaia estate in Castellina in Chianti. Brancaia is steeped in family tradition and a distinctly modern approach, driven by Barbara. While her initial calling was architecture, Barbara was drawn to the charm and depth of Tuscan wine and learned the ropes academically and on the vineyard, becoming Brancaia’s winemaker in 1998, supported by consulting wine maker, the brilliant Dr. Carlo Ferrini. Together, they produced vintages of complex and elegant wines that best reflect the Tuscan identity. Today, Barbara is regarded as one of Tuscany’s leading winemakers and a champion of blending Tuscany’s flagship grape Sangiovese with noble French varietals turning out stunning reds. Barbara draws great joy from vinifying fruit into sumptuous age worthy wines and believes that “winemaking is where all of my artistic passions come together.” Barbara’s innate belief in organic and sustainable farming has translated into wines of great depth and natural brilliance. Brancaia’s three Tuscan vineyards — Castellina and Poppi in Chianti, and Brancaia in Maremma produce wines that frequently win international awards and populate the shelves of wine collectors and connoisseurs the world over.
Brancaia, TRE 2019
Grapes from three Tuscan vineyards shine in this beautiful blend.
Brancaia, No 2 2018
Full bodied Cabernet style offers up wholesome berries and rich oak age.
Brancaia, IL BLU, “Super Tuscan” 2018
Perfectly ripe fruit and barrel matured finesse.
Susana Balbo, Chief Winemaker, Susana Balbo Wines, Argentina
Susana Balbo is literally the first lady of Argentine wine. Susana is Argentina’s first woman winemaker and far and away, one of its best. She made history as far back as 1981 when she became the first woman to receive a degree in oenology and went on to play a defining role in placing Argentina at the centre of the new world.
Susana saw the immense potential of Malbec in Mendoza, identifying the sub regions of Lujan De Cuyo and Uco Valley that sat at an altitude of over 1000 metres, to root down vineyards.
Her artisanal and environmentally conscious approach to winemaking bore rich results in international acclaim and the Argentine standard for winemaking. Susana is credited with singlehandedly made sprightly local white grape Torrontés, an international phenomenon and pioneered the trend of red blends which later when on to define the modern Argentine wine approach. The local wine industry was transformed when Susana introduced it to the science of toasting French barrels that allows the wine to balance fruit flavour with oak. Susana told this scribe she believed that wine is the collective, natural result of soil and latitude coupled with the wine maker’s imagination and honest understanding of the terroir. Her belief has defined Argentina’s modern wine industry and inspired a generation of winemakers who continue to follow her lead.
Susana Balbo, Crios Torrontes 2020
Lychee and citrus flavours lifted by crackling acidity.
Susana Balbo, Crios Malbec 2021
Violets, cherries and spice on this vintage Malbec style.
