Fellow wine lovers, let’s raise our glasses to the extraordinary women who shape the world of wine with their passion, innovation, and grace. In honor of Women’s Day, I’ve curated a selection of exceptional bottles, each spotlighting a remarkable woman’s role in its creation. From founders to winemakers and historical pioneers, these wines embody their spirit—elegant, resilient, and full of life. Join me on this flavorful journey through France’s finest, where every sip tells a story of empowerment and artistry.
Souleil Vin de Bonté Le Rosé 2024
Marianne Fabre-Lanvin: The Visionary Founder of Souleil
Marianne Fabre-Lanvin, a French Southerner with deep family roots in vineyards, turned her lifelong passion for wine and the sea into a reality by co-founding Souleil Vin de Bonté. As a wine publicist and marketer splitting time between Paris and New York, she launched this brand as a passion project, blending organic grapes from independent growers while championing sustainability and ocean conservation. Her approachable, laid-back ethos makes every bottle feel like an invitation to share joy with friends.
The Winery: Souleil Vin de Bonté
Founded by Marianne and her friend Nicolas Cornu Thénard, Souleil Vin de Bonté captures the sun-drenched essence of Southern France. This eco-conscious label sources organic grapes from seaside vineyards, emphasizing low-intervention practices and giving back to the ocean. It’s a brand that embodies endless summer vibes, producing approachable reds, whites, and rosés with a nostalgic, unapologetically French flair.
The Wine: Sunset rays of vibrancy
Crafted through organic, low-intervention winemaking, this rosé blends primarily Grenache (80-95%) with Syrah and Cinsault, fermented in a Provençal style for bright lift and freshness. Hailing from Mediterranean-sighted parcels in Vin de France, it’s a delicate, dry rosé bursting with strawberries, raspberries, orange rind, and mineral notes—think tart red berries and juicy grapefruit on a vibrant, herbaceous palate. Pair it creatively with a sunset picnic of grilled octopus tacos or vegan berry sorbet for a refreshing, ocean-inspired twist.
Madame de Beaucaillou, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, 2020
The Matriarch: Honoring Elegance and Warmth
This wine pays tribute to the producer’s mother, a symbol of grace and hospitality whose elegance, warmth, and artful table-setting inspired its name. As the heart of the Borie family, she represents the nurturing spirit that infuses Château Ducru-Beaucaillou’s legacy, reminding us how women create welcoming spaces that turn houses into homes.
The Winery: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
A storied 2nd Grand Cru Classé estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou has been family-owned for generations under the Borie family. Spanning 75 hectares with vines averaging over 35 years old, it focuses on meticulous craftsmanship, blending tradition with modern precision to produce iconic Bordeaux wines known for their structure and longevity.
The Wine: Poised and Powerful
Hand-harvested and vinified with care, this Merlot-dominant blend (around 68% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc) ages 12 months in Bordeaux barrels (20% new). From the Haut-Médoc region, it’s a savory, classic red with deep ruby hues, offering blackcurrant, iris petals, and orange blossom aromas. On the palate, juicy black fruits and polished tannins shine—pair it with a creative twist like duck confit empanadas or dark chocolate-dusted venison for an indulgent, welcoming feast.
Gassier Blanc, Côtes de Provence, 2025
Léa Rouyet: The Artisan Oenologist
Léa Rouyet, a talented winemaker from the Basque Country, joined Château Gassier in 2015 and has since elevated its wines with her passion for terroir-driven expressions. Balancing tradition and innovation, she crafts cuvées that highlight Provence’s unique character, proving rosé and whites deserve serious acclaim while inspiring a new generation of female vintners.
The Winery: Château Gassier
Nestled at the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire, Château Gassier is a six-generation artisanal estate committed to organic farming across 40 hectares. Under Georges Gassier and Léa Rouyet, it pioneers wood-aged Provence wines and sustainable practices, producing expressive rosés and whites that capture the region’s limestone-clay terroir in Côtes de Provence and Sainte-Victoire appellations.
The Wine: Crisp Modernity Meets Mediterranean Magic
This new cuvée, likely blending Vermentino (Rolle) and Ugni Blanc with cool stainless fermentation, offers a fresh, modern take on Provence white. From Côtes de Provence, it’s light with silver glints, revealing white flowers, citrus (pink grapefruit, lemon), and a round, greasy texture with zesty finish. Savor its refreshing minerality alongside creative pairings like citrus-glazed scallops over herb-infused quinoa or a summer salad with goat cheese and honeycomb.
Tempo D’Angelus, Bordeaux 2023
Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal: The Eighth-Generation Leader
As the first woman in eight generations to lead Château Angélus, Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal has steered the estate toward organic viticulture since 2012. Her visionary guidance created Tempo d’Angélus, demystifying grands crus while preserving family legacy—a testament to her determination, passion, and role as guardian of centuries-old traditions.
The Winery: Château Angélus
A Premier Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, Château Angélus spans 131 hectares under the Boüard de Laforest family for over 200 years. With Stéphanie at the helm, it produces eight cuvées, blending historic expertise with modern sustainability, including cooler macerations and foudre aging for depth and approachability.
The Wine: Refined Grace in Every Sip
Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with vines from Castillon-la-Bataille parcels, this Bordeaux red undergoes precise vinification for streamlined elegance. From Bordeaux appellation, it’s poised and complex with red berries, plum, mocha, and subtle oak—richly extracted yet approachable young. Elevate it with a creative pairing like lamb tagine with apricots or aged cheddar-stuffed mushrooms for a graceful, celebratory meal.
Billecart-Salmon Le Rosé, Champagne
Elisabeth Salmon: The Pioneering Co-Founder
In 1818, Elisabeth Salmon co-founded Billecart-Salmon with her husband Nicolas-François, bringing her passion and vision to one of Champagne’s oldest houses. As a trailblazer in a male-dominated era, her legacy endures in this cuvée, symbolizing the purity and refinement she instilled, inspiring generations of women in winemaking.
The Winery: Billecart-Salmon
An independent Champagne house since 1818, Billecart-Salmon remains family-run across seven generations in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Spanning Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims, it upholds exceptional quality through precise blending and aging, crafting crystalline Champagnes that honor its founders’ uncompromising standards.
The Wine: Crystalline Purity
This 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay blends from Côte des Blancs parcels like Cramant, Chouilly, and Mesnil-sur-Oger, with partial barrel fermentation and extended lees aging for finesse. From Champagne, it’s a brut Blanc de Blancs style—creamy yet chiseled, with zest of citron, almond biscuit, and white peach. Toast with creative pairings like oyster ceviche with yuzu or brioche French toast topped with caviar for an opulent, refreshing sparkle.
These wines aren’t just pours—they’re tributes to the women who pour their hearts into every vintage. Whether you’re toasting alone or with loved ones, let them inspire you to celebrate the bold, beautiful forces in your life. Cheers to more women leading the way in wine! What’s your favorite from this list? Share in the comments.
