WOMEN IN WINE & SPIRITS AWARD, possibly the first international award for females in drink business, has recently reached to a strategic partnership with Ass. Nazionale Le Donne Del Vino. Meanwhile, Ms. Donatella Cinelli Colombini, CEO of DDV, accepted the invitation and will perform as Advisor for WINWSA 2021.

As the first of its kinds, Women in Wine & Spirits Award (WINWSA) was initiated by Michelle Liu, a former wine journalist and marketer, in January 2020 with the singular mission: to recognize, connect and honor the accomplished female professionals who have contributed to shaping the wine & spirits industry today.

The inaugural edition of WINWSA in 2020 set up 17 categories to cover 7 various focus areas of wine & spirits industry, from production, service to marketing & education. The first edition received more than 110 submissions and nominations from China, Asia-Pacific, America and Europe. The winners of 2020 included two Italian ladies: Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Allegrini Winery and Elena Roppa, Founder of Camper Friendly Project.

In addition to the 17 final winners in 2020, WINWSA also published 50 LIST OF INFLUENCE, the 50 nominees displayed an incredibly colorful tapestry of diversified focuses, expertise and achievements that all exemplify the evolution and trend in drink business.

‘WINWSA’s unique stems, in part, is the composition of the advisors and judge panel’ Michelle Liu, the founder of the award said, ‘we include judges and advisors from a variety of backgrounds & expertise, to bring in their insights and perspectives which would enrich and elevate the platform. Some of them are MWs, MS, influential wine writers and professionals who have rich experience in drink business.’

‘Under the special circumstance in 2020, we were forced to organize conference calls and online discussions instead of face-to-face meetings, to maintain the utmost accuracy and impartiality during the process.’ Michelle Liu said, ‘Hopefully we can organize a proper award ceremony for WINWSA 2021.’

WINWSA celebrates the theme of sustainability, raising questions regarding how we can achieve and improve on sustainable practice throughout the wine & spirits value chain. And the 2021 Annual Vision Award will continue under this theme.

As part of its annual program, WINWSA forum is committed to establishing a platform for exchange of innovative development, connecting local and global professionals and think tanks, focusing on the next moves of wine & spirits industry, paying attention to the consumer behavioral evolvement, grasping local market transformations and embracing changes through global vision.

Since Oct. 2020 till now, WINWSA has organized 4 forums and round table talks, with topics over CSR initiatives, Consumer Trends and Sustainability. The upcoming summit forum will take place on August 13th, 2021, co-organized in Shenzhen, China with Wine To Asia, a Subsidiary of Verona Fiere.

‘We are thrilled to form the strategic partnership with ASSO. N. LeDonne del Vino, which opens a door for us, to connect with its 900 members in Italy. This will certainly encourage international exchange on market opportunities and know-how. Italy, as a wine country where tradition and innovation co-exist harmoniously, will inspire us with its culture and craftsmanship.’ Liu said.

Associazione Nazionale Le Donne del Vino, founded in 1988 based on a proposal by Elisabetta Tognana, is a non-profit association that promotes the culture of wine and the role of women in the winemaking industry and society as a whole.

Le Donne del Vino are business women, managing more than one activity (winery, guest house, restaurant). Today they are more than 930 members throughout Italy. Dynamic and open to innovation, they travel, are informed and participate in national and international fairs. Over the years, Le Donne del Vino have distinguished themselves for their actions aimed at the sustainable development of agricultural territories and the protection of the heritage of rare native grapes and historic vineyards. Le Donne Del Vino are particularly active in education and, thanks to the selection of an annual theme and the Association’s National Celebratory Day, held on 8 March to coincide with International Women’s Day, they draw attention to specific issues, such as their contribution to the new look of wine. Alongside initiatives concerning their own economic sector, Le Donne del Vino have always distinguished themselves for their charity work.