SPONSORED BY COFFEE BY DESIGN.
DETAILS: The wine industry, both in production and distribution, has long been a male-dominated industry. This has slowly been changing over the last few decades. This panel is made up of women who have pushed the boundaries and found ways to create their own places in the world of wine. As more and more women take up positions of respect and authority in the wine industry, it is changing the business of wine and how wine is consumed. Come and hear the background stories and thoughts from these women who have been at the forefront of making this change happen, who have pushed the boundaries, and who found ways to create their own places in the world of wine.
Join us on Monday, June 12, at the Falmouth Country Club to kick off Portland Wine Week with an insightful discussion on what it’s like being a woman in the wine industry and how these women claimed their spot in this evolving industry.
COST: only $20 per person and includes coffee and pastry.
RESERVE: purchase tickets
GET YOUR TICKETS TO ALL OPENING DAY EVENTS AT FALMOUTH COUNTRY CLUB:
9:00-11:30 am Women in Wine Panel Discussion: $20
11:30-2:00 pm Women Winemaker Luncheon: $95
5:30-9:00 pm Women in Wine Dinner: Who Paired it Better? $200
Portland Wine Week is Presented by Wine Wise with Partner Sponsor Bangor Savings.
MODERATOR:
Joan Szkutak
We welcome Joan Szkutak, the owner of SAMsARA winery, as this year’s panel moderator. Joan’s diverse skill set as an engineer in the corporate world combined with her transition as a boutique winery owner with Maine roots has given her an immense amount of experience aligned with our topic of “Women in Wine, Pushing the Boundaries.”
PANELISTS:
Alexis Iaconis
Winemaker at Brick and Mortar
Alexis Iaconis
Alexis and Matt Iaconis founded Brick & Mortar in 2011 and co-run the winery. Our all-lowercase name serves as a metaphor for our foundational philosophy highlight the vineyard with minimal intervention, and run a winery that is down to earth, yet high performing. We firmly believe this philosophy embodies authenticity at its core.
Sheilah McGovern
Vice President of Vineyard Brands Imports
Sheilah McGovern
Sheilah McGovern is a resident of York, ME. She studied oenology and viticulture in Reims, Bordeaux and Beaune and completed an internship with Joseph Phelps in Napa Valley. She grew up at The Hermitage Inn in Wilmington, Vermont where she and her father created one of the first, Grand Award Winning Wine Lists from the Wine Spectator with over 2,000 selections and a 40,000 bottle cellar. She has worked for Vineyard Brands, importers of fine wines from family estates and innovative wineries around the world for over 37 years.
Jenn Forge
Sommelier at Twelve
Jenn Forge
Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Jenn is a veteran of the city’s restaurant scene having experience in every front of the house position over the last 16 years. A local favorite bartender, Jenn’s love of wine began while working at Munjoy Hill’s highly regarded Lolita and her last position at Via Vecchia before joining the opening team at Twelve. She is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, has a degree in hospitality management, and puts an emphasis on exemplary service.
Maia Fleming
Wine & Beverage Director at "Lambs"
Maia Fleming
Maia recently moved back to her home state of Maine and she couldn't be happier about it! She's worked professionally in food & beverage for over 10 years, specializing in wine for the past 6, in both the retail and restaurant spheres. Her wine program at Rebel Rebel wine bar, where she was the Wine Director, made the James Beard finalist & semifinalist shortlist the past two years. Maia specializes in natural wine, and has consulted on projects like Super Bien, a bar with an all-natural South American wine list. Currently, she is Wine & Beverage Director at "Lambs," a new neighborhood bar opening in South Portland in July.
Transportation between Portland and falmouth country club:
On Opening Day (6/12) Transportation Sponsor Maine Limousine Service will provide complimentary transportation between the Press Hotel in Portland and Falmouth Country Club on their beautiful executive sprinter (before dinner) and shuttle bus (photos below) for after dinner. Seating is limited. Get your event tickets and reserve your Maine Limousine chauffeured transportation by emailing kim@mainelimo.com.
