Charlottesville Women Making an Impact in Wine
Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia and the Monticello American Viticultural Area have been at the epicenter of Virginia’s recent viticultural expansion, even landing Wine Enthusiast’s coveted “Wine Region of the Year” accolade at the end of 2023—a distinction that saw this relatively new wine region eclipse centuries-old winemaking destinations like Provence, France, and Lambrusco, Italy. And in an industry that has historically been male oriented, women are increasingly leading the way in the Charlottesville area’s recent wine renaissance, helping shape an innovative, collaborative, and diverse future. Learn more about this recent movement and the women who are helping propel Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the Monticello AVA to even greater heights.
Meet the Women in Wine
Corry Craighill – Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Septenary Winery at Seven Oaks Farm
Corry Craighill began her winemaking career in 2011 as an intern at Blenheim Vineyards. This internship led her to work in other wine regions around the world including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, California, and Oregon. Back in her home state of Virginia, she spent two years as assistant winemaker for both Blenheim Vineyards and King Family Vineyards. She was also the head winemaker for four vintages at Sunset Hills Vineyard in Loudoun County, Virginia. In 2020, she returned to the Monticello AVA area as the winemaker and vineyard manager for Septenary Winery at Seven Oaks Farm in Greenwood, Virginia.
“Being a woman in this industry is pretty fun, and the women in the industry are great. There are opportunities because there are women in leadership roles that helped open doors for other women.” — Corry Craighill
Athena Eastwood – Cofounder and Co-owner of Eastwood Farm and Winery
Athena Eastwood is the cofounder and co-owner of Eastwood Farm and Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia. Athena is also a commodities lawyer, recognized for her work helping agricultural clients develop innovative strategies to combat and adapt to climate change. Eager to focus on the challenges facing local agriculture, she purchased a farm in Charlottesville in 2016 and launched Eastwood Farm and Winery. Athena also sits on the boards of the Monticello Wine Trail, the Virginia Wineries Association, and Virginia Women in Wine.
“Wine is a beverage that brings people together and breaks down barriers. I think everyone needs to be able to look out and see faces like themselves doing things they dream of doing” — Athena Eastwood
Tasha Durrett – Founder, Black Women Who Wine
Tasha Durrett is a wine enthusiast and educator based in central Virginia. Born and raised in Virginia wine country, Durrett grew up with a love and appreciation for wine, which is why she founded Black Women Who Wine in 2019, a membership-based organization focused on increasing the visibility and participation of Black women in the wine industry and agritourism throughout the state. Durrett holds a level 1 certification from the Wine Spirits & Education Trust and is also a part of Eastwood Farm Winery’s wine incubator program, Barrels and Tanks. Durrett is also a writer and communicator by trade and is currently working as a senior communications manager at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
“My goal when creating experiences for Black Women Who Wine members and those that join us is really for them to feel like ‘this is an experience for me.” — Tasha Durrett
See the full article & video by The Local Palate!
Read about more women in wine in the Charlottesville area and explore more wineries at VisitCharlottesville.org.
