My aim in creating trips that are only for women is mutli-faceted. First, I wanted to create a safe emotional space for women to explore new places, ideas, food, and beverage without fear of judgement. Often when women are together in a group, there is a willingness to be open and thoughtful about experiences, and to be vulnerable with one another, which tends to be different when men are present. While I absolutely recognize and accept that this is not always the case, I wanted to provide the chance for this gentle space to be held with my guests on these trips.

Second, I wanted to create a space where women could begin to tune in to their own experiences with wine, to really begin to understand what they are tasting, smelling, and feeling with wine. Wine can be so intimidating to many people, men and women alike, but particularly an area around which many women experience feelings of embarrassment about not feeling like they are “good at” it. Many default to their husbands, partners, boyfriends or male friends to buy wine as a habit. However, I do believe that wine is something that anyone can learn about if it is broken down in an approachable way. Within the company of other women, we can start to honor our impressions, feelings and personal joy in the vast world of wine- and from this place, stand more confidently in our lives in our approach to wine in the future.

Third, many of us willingly spend a lot of energy caring for others, putting their needs before our own. I wanted to create trips where women can lay down that responsibility for a short while and recharge, be inspired by the new adventures we take together, the new friendships that form, so as to return home refreshed for our daily lives- whatever that looks like.