Women of Wine – WoW II

It’s been difficult to write a second post for the WoW series. I must have over three entries started and a list of fine wine women in mind, but I end up getting so involved in the researching of these women’s lives I can’t seem to sort out the nuggets on worth focusing. They are such truly amazing and fascinating women, of course.

Nevertheless, I have stumbled upon the story of a fine lady who inspired me simply because of her height. Although, the wine industry is seeing more and more women in the field and in the tanks, women of small stature are hard to find. At 5 feet “on a good hair day,” Stephanie Putnam¹ of Far Nienté in California can hold her own among the heavy weights in the wine industry.

Stephanie Putnam²

Stephanie stumbled into winemaking when her dream of working as an FBI agent was cut short due to her height. Thus, her studies at UC Davis led her into the lap of the infamous viticulture and enology program, where she studied wine making. After many dedicated years she’s now the winemaker of the renowned Californian winery Far Nienté.

She’s an inspiration to those of us half-pints who actually can’t even remember they’re short.

Hey, who you calling short?

WineGirl

¹ As featured in Women of the Vine by Deborah Brenner

² Image by WineX Magazine