In honor of the Mother’s Day, this ZenWine article honors the mothers that came before us, that are here now and the ones to come. Winemaking and mothering can be terrifyingly similar in its complexity, hours of invisible work, and the endless love that makes it all possible. It’s a pleasure to introduce the following winemakers that are also mothers.
Gold Dust Woman | Winemaker Moms
The intersection between winemaking and motherhood are closer than they appear. Not in the sense of “mommy’s little helper.” More in the sense that each child (and every vine) is so different and comes loaded with their own creative force. To be a successful mother (and winemaker), we must meet each child (and vine) where they are today.
Elena Walch is leading the north Italian production in Alto Adige as a 5th generation producer. The focus is native varieties with sustainability and quality at the core. High elevation and centuries of tradition gives way for concentrated wines with deep focus and food pairing excellence. Elena said “being a mother and a winemaker means a lot of guilt all the time. When I am working, I think about family. When I am with family, I am thinking about work.” We can relate, Elena!
The featured wine is the Elena Walch 2018 Lagrein for its native variety flare that is deeply colored and silky beyond belief. This wine tastes like wildflowers, berry compote and fresh licorice. Pair with meaty foods, tomato sauces and aged cheeses. Go ahead, spoil the mother in your life with a charcuterie spread from her wildest dreams.
Winemaking and Mothering is like Throwing a Dart
For American born Kristin Schute, Lechuza is her family operated winery based in in the west end of the Valle de Guadalupe, about 12 miles away from the Pacific Ocean. It is truly a family affair for Kristin, as her four-year-old helps with vineyard management and partakes in the winemaking process. The winery makes a mere 2,000 cases per year and have 5 different wines in the portfolio.
The wine feature for Lechuza must be the 2020 Chardonnay. It is made in the Burgundian style by spending six months in stainless steel on its lees as well as undergoing partial malolactic fermentation. The wine is bright with tropical fruit and has aromas of fresh baked baguette. Flavors of Asian pear, pineapple and honeysuckle make this a food pairing dream. Pair this wine to a warm, rustic bread with homemade soup, chicken tacos with guacamole or wood fired pizza. Whatever you decide, make this Mother’s Day one to remember.