Great Women Of Washington Wine Luncheon Set For Next Month

The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine will host its “Great Women of Washington Wine” luncheon and fundraising event Friday, March 28th at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, WA.  The luncheon and panel discussion will celebrate some of the early women pioneers of the Washington wine industry.  The honorees will share their stories of being women in a new, male-dominated industry and how they were able to earn respect and recognition regionally and internationally. 

“The goal of the Great Women event is to shine a light on the women who were instrumental in establishing vineyards and wineries across the region, as well as those who forged paths in marketing and operations,” said Luanne Holden-Boushey, co-chair of the event and co-owner of Boushey Vineyards. “These women set a standard for excellence and cooperation that we still uphold today.” 

The 2025 honorees are:

• Connie Crawford, grower, Crawford Farms
• Jean Ferguson, co-owner, L’Ecole Winery, presetned by Megan Clubb
• Darcey Fugman-Small, co-founder, Woodward Canyon Winery
• Patricia Gelles, co-owner, Klipsun Vineyards
• Julie Grieb, general manager, Treveri Cellars
• Lane Hoss, marketing and operations, Anthony’s Restaurants
• Peggy Patterson, co-owner, Hoodsport Winery  

Cynthia Nims, author and culinary consultant, is scheduled to moderate the discussion.  Tickets include a gourmet lunch, wine donated and poured by women winemakers from across the state, and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction to raise scholarship funds. Organizers note tickets are limited, and the 2023 event sold out within a week.

In addition, the Alliance will also be holding a casual welcome reception at WIT Cellars on Thursday, March 27 at 5 pm. Women winemakers will also be pouring at this event as well.

Funds raised will benefit the Alliance of Women in Washington Wine Scholarship program that was developed in partnership with the Washington Wine Industry Foundation. A yearly $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a female or female-identifying student enrolled in a viticulture, enology, or wine business degree program in Washington state.

Tickets and more information can be found Here.

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