This year’s Women in Wine Symposium boldly embraced the theme “Breaking Tradition.” Hosted by the student-led UC Davis Women in Wine group, the event brought together leaders, students, alumni, and advocates committed to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative wine industry. 

Making Wine Greener

The day started with an energizing presentation from Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green, one of the wine industry’s leading sustainability certification programs. In her role, Brittain helps wineries take action on climate change, reduce energy and water use, and support their local communities. 

Brittain explained that making wine responsibly goes beyond vineyard care and saving water. It’s also about taking care of the people and places behind every bottle. She emphasized that real progress comes from rethinking our practices and our priorities, not only in how we grow grapes, but how we grow as an industry. 

She also reminded us that real change starts from within. Her message set the tone for the day; if we want a better wine industry, we need to think bigger, and care more not just about what we make, but how we make it.    

Breaking Tradition is Innovation

The energy continued with Bukola Ekundayo, vice president and general manager of The Prisoner Wine Company. She explained that for a wine brand to stay relevant, it has to be willing to evolve. “Breaking tradition, in a sense, is just innovating,” she noted, “And why does wine innovate? For growth.” 

She shared how she reaches new audiences through intentional partnerships. One example is working with Jesse Krimes, the founder and director of the Center for Art and Advocacy. Krimes is an artist, a formerly incarcerated individual, and an advocate for justice reform. He has helped ground the Prisoner’s messaging in lived experiences and engage more deeply with social impact. 

Ekundayo also highlighted the importance of cultural relevance and visibility. By building authentic connections with NBA personalities and other cultural influencers, the Prisoner is creating new pathways to engage a broader, more diverse audience with wine.

Through these efforts, Ekundayo is helping to redefine what a wine brand can stand for. 

Grapes, Genes, and Groundbreaking Work

Over her remarkable 77 years, Dr. Carole Meredith, winemaker at Lagier Meredith and professor emerita at UC Davis, has repeatedly redefined what we know about the wine in our glass. 

Born in Wales, she sailed across the Atlantic in 1953 and eventually discovered her passion for plants as a young student. She studied at UC Davis, where she was inspired by Dr. Norma Lang, a plant biologist and one of the few women faculty members in the sciences at the time. Lang’s mentorship showed Meredith that women could thrive in science.

Meredith went on to do groundbreaking work applying DNA technology to solve long-standing mysteries in the wine world, including helping identify the genetic “parents” of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1996 and later solving the mystery of Zinfandel's origins.

While at UC Davis, she met fellow scientist and wine lover Stephen Lagier, who was working at Robert Mondavi Winery. Their shared passion for science and wine led to a personal partnership and the founding of Lagier Meredith Vineyard, nestled high on Napa’s Mount Veeder. 

Panel: Women Sharing Their Stories

After lunch and impactful small group discussions, attendees reconvened for a dynamic panel featuring three powerhouse women in wine: Brenae Royal, viticulturist and winemaker behind Violet’s Paradise Wines; Rebekah Wineburg, head winemaker at Quintessa and founder of Post & Vine; and Laura Gabriel, a marketing consultant and co-founder of Paper Planes Wine Company and The River Club.  

When asked, “What originally drew you to wine and what keeps you here?” each shared a unique and inspiring journey. 

For Brenae Royal, it all began with an obsession with Apothic Red. Her passion led to a viticulture internship with Gallo, where she fell in love with the blend of art, passion, and science. Today, she stays in wine to drive change. Through Violet’s Paradise Wines, she channels that purpose by making wines using fruit from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard she managed for a decade. Half of the proceeds go to The Veraison Project, which promotes equity and inclusivity in the wine industry, and the other half funds the Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship. 

Rebekah Wineburg initially planned to be a researcher and professor, studying chemistry and biology in undergrad. But a trip to Napa ignited her interest in wine, leading her to work a harvest, and she hasn’t looked back since. What keeps her in the industry is the pure magic and creative expression of being able to translate the soul of a place into a bottle and share it.

Laura Gabriel grew up in Napa and found it uneventful, so she left for film school. Then, her college boyfriend started brewing in their apartment closet, and soon it grew into Paper Planes Wine Company in 2014. When asked how to navigate a challenging market, Laura responded, “Younger, more diverse voices, and listening to them.” 

In 2018, she challenged tradition by releasing a $40 four-pack of canned wine. “It’s hard to break tradition at first,” she admitted, but in 2022, they were named the best canned wine in the country. 

For Brenae, breaking tradition meant showing up fully as herself even when it wasn’t easy. As a vineyard manager, she proudly wears her nails and half-sleeve tattoo, challenging conventional expectations. She shared that, for the first three years she was working in vineyards, she didn’t feel comfortable wearing her hair in braids. But over time, her growing confidence and undeniable competence helped her move beyond imposter syndrome and embrace her identity with pride.

The panel wrapped with reflections on the mark of a good mentor and the challenges women still face in the industry. The takeaway? Representation matters, and confidence grows when people are empowered to show up fully as themselves. 

Looking to the Future

The day ended with a reception where wines were poured by the very speakers and panelists who had just shared their stories. Violet’s Paradise, Post & Vine, Paper Planes, Quintessa, and Lagier Meredith. The energy was celebratory and sincere.  

In a world where tradition often decides who gets to make wine, tell its stories, and shape its future, the Women in Wine Symposium sent a message that those rules are being rewritten. And the future? It’s already in motion, powered by women who lead with purpose, question the rules, and invite others to the table. 

Want to Support the Movement?

Building a more inclusive and forward-thinking wine industry takes all of us. You can help by attending future events or amplifying the voices of women in wine. 

Kaylianne Jordan is a junior transfer student studying Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. She has a background in culinary arts and a passion for sustainable farming and enjoys exploring the connections between agriculture, winemaking, and community. Outside of college, she loves trying out new recipes, discovering local food spot