Category: Women in Wine

Liz Palmer – Wine Journalist receives the 2025 ITER VITIS + The Council of Europe Award for Communication

“I am thrilled and deeply honoured to receive the 2025 ITER VITIS Award for Communication, recognizing my global advocacy in promoting wine culture, education, and responsible tourism.”

The award was presented a few days ago at the ITER VITIS Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece.  This inspiring event brought together international experts and institutions to explore how wine tourism can drive a greener, more inclusive, and innovative future across Europe.

My heartfelt “Thank You” to ITER VITIS – Cultural Routes of the Vine and Wine, the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme, and to all those working to preserve and celebrate the cultural, historical, and sustainable heritage of wine.

This recognition reinforces my lifelong commitment to advancing the dialogue between wine, culture, and sustainability – connecting people and places through the shared language of the vine.

Stay tuned for a full press release!

Liz Palmer
Thessaloniki, Greece

G.H. Mumm Appoints Trina Smith as Terroirs Pacific Winemaker, Strengthening Sparkling Wine Excellence Across Australasia

G.H. Mumm has appointed award-winning winemaker Trina Smith as Mumm Terroirs Pacific Winemaker, overseeing production across Australia and New Zealand. Recognized as one of Australia’s foremost sparkling wine specialists, Smith brings over two decades of global experience spanning California, South Africa, and Italy.

Based in the Barossa Valley, she will lead winemaking for the Mumm Terroirs Collection, including Marlborough Prestige Brut, Brut Rosé, Central Otago Blanc de Noirs, and Tasmania Prestige Brut, while collaborating with the Maison’s Chef de Cave and regional growers.

Smith’s appointment reinforces Mumm’s commitment to crafting wines that express the unique terroirs of Marlborough, Central Otago, and Tasmania, three of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading cool-climate regions. Her leadership follows the successful launch of the Mumm Tasmania Prestige Brut (2022), a benchmark for Tasmanian sparkling wines and a reflection of the region’s growing significance, now accounting for over 40% of Tasmania’s total wine production.

Trina Smith states: “I’m thrilled to step into this role and continue building on Mumm’s legacy in Australasia. My focus will be on crafting wines that truly express the character of our region. Marlborough, Central Otago and Tasmania are world-renowned cool-climate regions, producing sparkling wines of exceptional finesse, energy and character and I look forward to shining an international light on our sparkling wines.”

Carol Duval-Leroy Named Officer of the Legion of Honour for Her Pioneering Role in Champagne

In a momentous acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions to viticulture and French cultural heritage, Carol Duval-Leroy, President of Maison Duval-Leroy, has been named Officer of the Legion of Honour, one of France’s highest civilian accolades.

This prestigious distinction not only honours her unwavering dedication to the Champagne region but also recognizes over three decades of exemplary leadership, innovation, and advocacy within the global wine industry. Under her stewardship, Maison Duval-Leroy has become a paragon of quality and sustainability, balancing tradition with progressive viticultural practices.

Carol Duval-Leroy’s accolade is a powerful testament to her role as a trailblazer, championing excellence, empowering women in wine, and preserving the cultural legacy of Champagne for future generations.

Her journey continues to inspire both industry peers and aspiring professionals around the world.

A Historic Milestone for DOCa Rioja: Raquel Pérez Cuevas Becomes First Female President

In a landmark moment coinciding with its centennial, the DOCa Rioja Regulatory Council has appointed Raquel Pérez Cuevas as its first female president. Her election, supported by 99% of the council, signals a transformative step in Spain’s most prestigious wine appellation.

Pérez Cuevas brings decades of leadership as CEO of Bodegas Ontañón and former vice-president of Grupo Rioja. Her presidency comes at a time of significant challenges, including market contraction, generational decline in viticulture, and tensions between large and small producers.

She has pledged to foster inclusivity and dialogue across all sectors of Rioja’s wine community, emphasizing unity over uniformity. With a background in agricultural engineering, oenology, and business management, her vision aims to steer Rioja through economic, generational, and institutional renewal.

“This is a new era for Rioja, one rooted in listening, collaboration, and respect for our shared legacy,” Pérez Cuevas affirmed.

Liz Palmer’s Exclusive Interview with Andrea Perez Castillo of Flatrock Cellars + Wine Tasting Notes

Andrea Perez Castillo holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Mexico, and a Master’s in Viticulture and Oenology from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain.

Her winemaking career began in 2012 as an assistant winemaker at Tierra Adentro Winery in Zacatecas. Following this, she pursued her master’s studies in Spain, which marked the start of her professional journey. Upon completing her degree, Andrea joined Casa Madero Winery in the Parras de la Fuente Valley, Coahuila, Mexico, where she served as a winemaker from 2016 to 2020. During her tenure, she distinguished herself as the youngest winemaker at the winery. She gained valuable international experience by participating in southern hemisphere harvests at renowned wineries, including Ventisquero in Chile, Cederberg in South Africa, and Oyster Bay (Delegat) in New Zealand.

In 2023, Andrea embarked on her Ontario wine journey, contributing to her first harvest at Hidden Bench. There, she met Marlize Beyers, a highly respected consulting winemaker in the Niagara region, who offered her the position of Winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars. Andrea officially began her new role at Flat Rock Cellars in December 2023.

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Liz Palmer: Which influential women in the wine industry have inspired you throughout your journey?

Andrea Perez Castillo: There have been many women winemakers in my career, right now I would name Marlize Beyers. From the early beginning she has been my mentor in Ontario wines. She has guided me and share everything she know about the area, I love her attitude, nothing stops her, and I know I am fortunate to now call her a friend.

Liz Palmer: Could you share a particularly memorable experience or achievement in your illustrious career?

Andrea Perez Castillo: I think having the experience of making wine in other countries, my favorite harvest so far has been the one in South Africa. Such a lovely and proud people in a beautiful country. A big highlight was reviving the long-dormant sparkling wine program at Casa Madero, one of Mexico’s most storied wineries.

Liz Palmer: What recent technological innovations have you and your team integrated into your winemaking process?

Andrea Perez Castillo: I’m relatively new at Flat Rock Cellars, I took over at the end of 2023. In 2024, I focused on identifying the blocks with special characteristics and starting to give destination to the grapes from the field to the bottle, during 2024 harvest we got back to the fundamentals in the cellar focusing on good clean happy fermentations

Liz Palmer: How do you ensure sustainability and uphold environmental responsibility in your vineyard and winery operations?

Andrea Perez Castillo: The 2024 harvest, we start by paying more attention to cultural practices, applications, etc. in the vineyard, this is to have a better control of what is happening in the vineyard and return all the good that the vineyard gives us year after year. As for the cellar, we have a new barrel steamer, which helps us to preserve water, also we have new cleaning practices in the cellar, we track water use daily, this gives us more awareness of the use of water and how to take better care of it.

Liz Palmer: What are your perspectives on the No and Low Alcohol Wine Revolution, and how has your wine estate adapted to this burgeoning movement?

Andrea Perez Castillo: There is a market for everything, and we must be prepared for it. The wine suffers a lot when it is dealcoholized, it is a harsh process on the wine. I know that there are other alternatives such as some selected yeasts that help produce less alcohol, I worked with some in Mexico, where the results were good but there is still more work to be done on that.

Liz Palmer: How do you and your team stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the wine industry?

Andrea Perez Castillo: When you are dedicated to making wine, or you are in the wine industry, it is something that I have found in all of us who are dedicated to this is that we love to know what is new and to experiment, for us at FRC, we never stop learning, learning is part of our development and that of the winery, we are always aware of new technologies, visiting fairs and reading magazines about new technologies and having conversations with our external consultant winemaker.

Liz Palmer: What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the wine industry?

Andrea Perez Castillo: She should prepare herself, study, read, know herself. Winemaking is making decisions under pressure, especially during harvest. Opportunities always come, but you must be prepared to take the reins with confidence.

Wine Tasting Notes

Flat Rock Cellars “Foundation Series” Chardonnay 2023

On the nose, aromas of ripe yellow plum and nectarine, intertwined with hints of vanilla and toast – a subtle nod to its careful oak aging. The palate bursts with vibrant notes of tropical fruit with hints of citrus, balanced by the refreshing minerality with crisp acidity, with an enduring finish.

90 Points
Liz Palmer


Flat Rock Cellars “Foundation Series” Pinot Noir 2023

This complex Pinot displays an enticing bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry and cranberry, accented by earthy undertones with subtle spices. On the palate, it delivers vibrant red fruit nicely balanced with hints of spice and oak. The wine’s silky tannins and refreshing acidity create a harmonious profile, culminating in an elegant, lingering finish.

Score 92
Liz Palmer