The Women Winemakers of the County

Jamie with Sunny Doench of Future Perfect Wine

On Saturday, May 7, beneath the Santa Ynez Valley sunshine, an extraordinary group of women gathered at the beautiful 27 Vines boutique vineyard. Glasses clinked, laughter carried across the vines, and tables overflowed with wines and culinary creations that told the story of a region where women are not just participating in the wine industry… in Santa Barbara wine country, they are helping lead it.

The occasion was the Women Winemakers and Culinarians Grand Tasting, held just ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, and during Women’s History Month, celebrating the women shaping the future of wine and food along California’s Central Coast.

Santa Barbara County quietly holds one of the highest percentages of women winemakers anywhere in the world. Yet beyond the statistics, what defines the region is something harder to measure: camaraderie.

As a wine writer who has spent years telling the stories of women in wine, I rarely see the level of collaboration that exists here in Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara wine country.

From pioneering winemakers to newcomers debuting their first vintages, the event felt less like competition and more like a shared celebration of craft, mentorship, and community.

Why Santa Barbara Wine Country?

Gretchen Voelcker pouring her Luna Hart Wines

For pioneering winemaker Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars, Santa Barbara wine country has always been a place of possibility.

“I came to this area specifically because of the climate and the opportunity to break the ice,” she said, “to make fabulous pinot noir and sauvignon blanc in districts that were yet to be discovered.” Joseph arrived decades ago when the region’s potential was still emerging. “I was driving the forklift, digging in the dirt, and making all of those decisions,” she recalled. “Perhaps it’s an area where women were fearless. We’ve made incredible inroads here.”

Today, the region continues to attract talented winemakers drawn by both its climate and its open-minded culture.

The Unique Terroirof Santa Ynez Valley

For Megan McGrath Gates, winemaker at Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, the landscape of Santa Barbara County plays a defining role in its wines.

“First and foremost, I’m a scientist,” she explained. “I love being able to apply that skill set to something so tangible, romantic, and inspiring.” The region’s geography is unusual in California.

“The transverse mountain ranges run east to west,” Gates said. “They intersect with the Santa Ynez Mountains and create river valleys that channel cool ocean air inland.” That east-west orientation allows Pacific breezes to flow deep into the valley, producing one of the longest and most diverse growing seasons in California wine country. “It’s the climate and soils formed over millennia that make this such an extraordinary place to grow grapes,” she said.

CamaraderieAmong Women

For many of the women gathered at the tasting, Santa Barbara wine country stands apart not just for its terroir but for the community within the industry.

Gretchen Voelcker, winemaker at Luna Hart Wines, described the support network she has experienced. “There’s a strong foundation here of women being a big part of the wine community,” she said. “Because of that, we’ve built networks where we can come together, support each other, and support organizations that need help.”

That sense of collaboration is often cited as one reason Santa Barbara County has become such a dynamic wine region.

The New Generation of Women Winemakers

The new vintner JenniferGray of Jennifer Gray Wines

Some of the most exciting energy at the event came from newcomers stepping into winemaking for the first time.

Jennifer Gray, who launched Jennifer Gray Wines in 2025, described debuting her wines at the tasting. “It’s incredibly exciting,” she said. “There’s such a sense of community here. I felt so much love sharing my wines today.” Gray began her wine career through education before working harvest and eventually launching her own label. “I’m turning 50 this year,” she said with a smile. “And I thought, if not now, when?” Her wines, she explained, are driven by curiosity and creativity. “Winemaking has become this incredible creative outlet.”

A Culinary Component

Wine was only part of the story at the Women Winemakers and Culinarians event. Local chefs and food creators highlighted the agricultural richness of the Central Coast.

Cookbook author Anna Vocino, known for her Eat Happy series, spoke about California’s extraordinary produce. “We have the best produce here in California,” she said. “We’re lucky to have it almost year-round.” That abundance shapes the culinary identity of Santa Barbara wine country. “There’s a constant influence of seasonal produce,” she explained. “It inspires everything we create.”

A Gathering Built by Women, for the Community

Few people embody the spirit of collaboration in Santa Barbara wine country more than Karen Steinwachs.

Steinwachs, founder of Seagrape Wine Company and one of the organizers of the Women Winemakers and Culinarians event, has long championed the power of bringing women together across the wine and culinary industries.

“This event really celebrates the depth of talent we have here,” Steinwachs explained. “Santa Barbara wine country is special because the women here truly support one another. There is a spirit of generosity and collaboration that you don’t always see in other regions.” For Steinwachs, the gathering is about more than wine. “It’s about mentorship and visibility,” she said. “Many of us have been working in this industry for decades, and it’s incredibly meaningful to see new voices emerging and to help create space for them.”

Events like the Women Winemakers and Culinarians Grand Tasting also serve a broader purpose, raising funds for Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach and supporting vital programs throughout the region.

“Wine brings people together,” Steinwachs added. “When we can gather like this, celebrate the work being done by women, and give back to our community at the same time, that’s incredibly powerful.”

Supporting the Santa Ynez Valley Community

Beyond celebrating wine and food, the event also raised funds for Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, a nonprofit that supports seniors, veterans, and families across the region. The organization operates Meals on Wheels programs serving hundreds of meals daily and provides housing and support resources for those in need. Events like the Women Winemakers and Culinarians tasting bring together the region’s wine, food, and hospitality communities while supporting vital local services.

Celebrating Women in Wine on the Central Coast

Toward the end of the afternoon, sparkling wine glasses appeared as guests gathered to toast the women shaping Santa Barbara wine country.

Sunny Doench, founder of Future Perfect Wine summed up the spirit of the day perfectly. “I love traditional method sparkling wine,” she said with a laugh. “Tiny bubbles, tiny troubles.” She paused before raising her glass. “What could be better than women getting together, encouraging one another, and celebrating
with bubbles?”

Looking across the vineyard as women winemakers, chefs, and guests raised their glasses, the answer felt clear. In the Santa Ynez Valley, women are not simply making exceptional wines. They are shaping the future of the region itself. For those of us lucky enough to be part of this community, there is something deeply powerful about raising a glass together.  

BY JAMIE KNEE