Meiburg to host first ‘Women of Wine Festival’

In celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, Debra Meiburg MW will host Hong Kong’s first ‘Women of Wine Festival’ on 10 March in conjunction with Swire.

As well as highlighting powerful women in the wine business, Debra Meiburg’s ‘Women of Wine’ (WoW) event will also celebrate some of Hong Kong’s most successful businesswomen, including entrepreneurs, trendsetters and industry leaders in other sectors away from wine.

A host of female-owned or managed importers will also be on hand with a selection of wine – with a focus on those made by women – along with 10 minute pop-up workshops led by sommeliers, chefs and ‘lifestyle consultants’.

Seminars include a tasting class, ‘Let Me Introduce You to Your Tongue’; an introduction to Champagne, ‘Know Your Bubbles’; a look at women’s achievements in wine, ‘Breaking the Wine Glass: Celebrating Female Success Stories’ and a discussion on opportunities for women in today’s trending industries, ‘Taking the Lead: 5 Unstoppable Women on How to Thrive in the Future’.

Meiburg is hosting the event in recognition of International Women’s Day which this year occurs on 8 March and celebrates women’s progress in social, political and cultural fields around the world.

“We are carefully selecting the right mix of speakers, wines and exhibitors to offer a total lifestyle, learning and inspirational experience, in which women can toast to the messages of gender equality and diversity of International Women’s Day in a stylish and fun setting,” she said.

“A robust and competitive wine market, Hong Kong boasts several hundred importers, with many successful wine businesses being female-led. This event will bring these successful women together with wine enthusiasts, along with a host of delicious wines made by women to taste and enjoy.”

Female speakers include: Emma Gao, head winemaker and owner of Chinese winery Silver Heights; Vicky Lau, head chef and owner of Tate Dining Room and Best Female Chef in Asia in 2015; Pamela Ambler, TV presenter and producer from Reuters; Anna Thompson, director of Flight Operations for Cathay Pacific; Yvonne Cheung, director of wine for Swire Hotels and Monica Cheung, managing director of Kedington Wines.

Bernice Liu, the Hong Kong-Canadian actress-turned winemaker of Bellavizio, will also be the event’s special guest.

“Beyond simply wine though, WoW Festival celebrates the achievements of strong, determined women who’ve charged through the glass ceiling or proven themselves visionaries, leaders and trendsetters,” continued Meiburg.

“The combination of wine, education, inspirational stories and dynamic discussions, are set to make it a thought-provoking and entertaining evening.”

The Women of Wine Festival is on Friday, 10 March from 5-9pm at HKGCC Chamber Theatre (Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce) in Admiralty with tickets starting from HK300.