The Wonder Women of Wine is a brand new two-day conference advocating for gender equality in the wine industry. Taking place this March in Austin, Texas, the WWoW conference is looking to affect change โthrough solution-based discussions, networking, and scholarship opportunities,โ per their website. But starting such an ambitious conferenceโespecially a multi-day conferenceโisnโt easy. And it requires capital. Thatโs why on Monday, December 3rd, the Wonder Women of Wine is hosting a fundraising party at Bufalina Pizza for a night of tasty bites and tastier wines.
The WWoW Conference is the brainchild of Rania Zayyat, an Advanced Sommelier, owner of Austin-based wine consulting company Vintel, and member of the Bufalina staff. Much of Zayyatโs works focuses on transparency and equality in wine, and this most recent efforts aims to โclose the gap between the percentage of women in the wine industry and the percentage of women wine professionals in leadership positions,โ including both in production and service. According to WWoW, women make up 80% of wine consumption in America and comprise over half of the hospitality industry professionals, yet only 23% of leadership positions in the industry are occupied by women. WWoW is hoping to shift the power imbalance:
We empower women to adopt leadership roles in all facets of the wine industry, and advocate men to be equal voices for, and activators of, gender equality in wine in both professional and social settings. We foster mentorship between men and women alike in order to change the status quo.
To get the inaugural conference off the ground, Zayyat is hosting a fundraiser at Bufalinaโa place weโve made no secret of our affections for, particularlyย their unbelievably amazing natural wine and pizza happy hourโas a means of both raising the money necessary as well as increasing the visibility of the event. Included in the free event (though there is a $25 suggested donation) will be snacks provided by Bufalina, a selection of wine from female producers, and a silent auction “with a few special bottles and prizes.” All proceeds to towards auction expenses.
Though the event is technically free, they do ask that you RSVP via Eventbrite, which can be done here. For more information on the Wonder Women of Wine Conference, visit their official website.
Top image via the Wonder Women of Wine Conference
