Sarah Powell, Winemaker Hi. I'm Sarah Powell, Winemaker at Foris since 1991. When people meet me for the first time, they are usually surprised that I am a woman. It's actually not that uncommon in America, where there are about ten men to every woman in the wine industry. I have traveled extensively through the wine regions of Europe, and worked in the wine industries of France, South Africa, and Australia, where women winemakers are truly a rare find, and often not readily accepted.
Great wine is made in many of the world's regions.
One of the reasons I chose to pursue my career in America is because no obstacles exist for women here. I have also worked in New Zealand, where many women make wine. Had I discovered that wonderful country and wine industry earlier in my career, perhaps I would still be there today. I first studied viticulture and enology, however, for one year in Burgundy before attending Davis. I was not raised around wine, nor was it drunk very often by my parents.