Women in Wine
Empower and Elevate
At Foley Family Wines & Spirits, we strive to create a culture that cultivates inclusive leadership and inspires women. Our purpose is to ensure women have equal voices, opportunities to lead, and the ability to make a meaningful impact.
We believe investing in women and setting them up for success will help the economic growth of our company and the growth and well-being of our employees.
We are proud to empower the women in our company and promote female leadership in all aspects of our business, from our vineyards to our executive teams.
Proudly Supporting Women in Wine
Women make up 50% of the Foley Family Wines & Spirits winemaking team, far surpassing the industry average of just 14%.
At Foley Family Wines & Spirits, we are committed to supporting initiatives in our communities, including those that empower and elevate women in the wine and spirits industry. We are proud to participate in the Women’s Sommelier Symposium, an organization dedicated to creating a space where women can thrive, learn, and support each other on their journeys. FFWS is also an active corporate member of Women of the Vine & Spirits. By championing women in the workplace, WOTVS is dedicated to shaping the beverage alcohol industry where the talents and perspectives of all women are not only valued but serve as a driving force for success and growth.
Women in Wine Scholarship Fund
In 2025, we are proud to launch our Women in Wine Scholarship Fund awarded in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas at Chateau St. Jean during the CMS-A Women’s Sommelier Symposium. The $10,000 fund was distributed among ten female sommeliers selected to attend the Symposium, held for the first time in Sonoma County, California.
“This scholarship is particularly impactful, as it covers the cost of the Advanced Sommelier Practical & Tasting Examination or one of the segments of the three-part Master Sommelier Examination,” noted Julie Cohen Theobald, Executive Director of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Women’s Sommelier Symposium
Foley Family Wines & Spirits is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Women’s Sommelier Symposium. The symposium offers female Advanced and Master Sommelier candidates a two-day educational program focused on building connections and furthering their education in the industry.
Alison Rodriguez Winemaker, Silverado Vineyards
As the third winemaker in Silverado’s History, Alison oversees all winemaking activities for the luxury winery and its four estate vineyards in Napa Valley’s top AVAs.
Lisa Evich Winemaker, Chateau St. Jean
Lisa Evich joined Foley Family Wines & Spirits in 2024 as the Winemaker for Southern Sonoma, crafting vineyard driven wines for Chateau St. Jean and Sebastiani.
Courtney Foley
Second Generation Vintner
“Foley Family Wines has consistently had female representation in our winemaking staff. Now we are starting to make sure that we have a more balanced executive leadership team…”
Mari Wells-Coyle
VP of Winemaking
Raised in Bellingham, Washington, Mari’s passion for the outdoors started at a young age. Surrounded by picturesque hills and local ingredients, her family celebrated every occasion with a seasonal meal and a special bottle of wine.
Rebecka Deike
Winemaker, Ferrari-Carano Winery
“As winemaker for our red wines, I love the seasonal experiences and connection between seeing the vines develop in the vineyards…”
Lorna Kreutz
Winemaker, Lincourt Vineyards
Since 2011 Lorna has followed her passion for Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir and and Chardonnay, making wines from some of the finest vineyards in this region.
Alison Rodriguez
Winemaker, Silverado Vineyards
As the third winemaker in Silverado’s History, Alison oversees all winemaking activities for the luxury winery and its four estate vineyards in Napa Valley’s top AVAs.
Natalie West
Winemaker, Ferrari-Carano Winery
“Dedicated to our white wines program, I value the ability to focus on the two varietals that were also the first wines that Ferrari-Carano made: Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay.”
Sierra Zeiter
Associate Winemaker for Foley Johnson, Merus, Cosentino, and Swanson
Sierra fell in love with wine’s ability to bring people together and decided at fifteen she wanted to become a winemaker. She earned her Enology degree from Cal Poly, completed four harvest internships, and rose to Head Winemaker at Oak Farm Vineyards. Seeking to refine her craft, she moved to Napa Valley, working with Bordeaux varieties at Burgess Cellars. Now an Associate Winemaker at Foley Family Wines, she oversees blending and production.