International Women’s Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1909, with a focus on working women’s achievements and issues. All glamour and romance of the wine industry aside, winemaking is work; hardwork that generally sees about 10% of that industry as female winemakers. Santa Barbara County, however, has a much higher percentage of women winemakers than most places in the world, with nearly double the average. Out at dawn during harvest, hauling wine hoses and wrangling barrels in the cellar, and utilizing keen sensory skills to create wines of finesse, balance and deliciousness, are part of a routine day – followed by swapping the boots and jeans for business attire, and hitting the road to spread the word and sell the wines and the region. All of this, is often accomplished while raising a family and participating in community service.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2017 (5:30 PM-9:00 PM), many of the women winemakers of Santa Barbara County will gather in solidarity and camaraderie to celebrate International Women’s Day over glasses of wine, fine cuisine and convivial company. The dozen+ female winemakers will be joined by some of the Santa Ynez Valley’s most inventive female chefs,who are creating a five-to-seven course meal to pair with their winemaker colleagues’ wines. Participating wineries include Buttonwood, Cambria, Casa Dumetz, Cebada, Dreamcote, Fiddlehead, Harrison-Clark, Kitá, La Montagne, Lepiane, Lumen, Nagy, Rideau, Rusack, Sanford, Story of Soil and William James Cellars (additional participating wineries, TBA). Chef Pink of Bacon & Brine, Chef Brooke of the Union Hotel, Cheesemonger Janelle McAtamney and Baker Amy Dixon are slated to create the menu.

Proceeds from the March 8 event will benefit the Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County, a giving circle where individuals combine their money and/or time so that they can have a bigger impact on the causes most important to them, than they would by donating individually. In 2016, the Women’s Fund distributed $50,000 in grants to organizations serving women and children. For tickets to the March 8 event, or for additional information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-winemakers-dinner-tickets-31957511778