Meet our iconic female winemakers

We’re shining a spotlight on the best female winemakers in the business, and their best bottles to try.

Food Editor

From women leading the charge on sustainability to iconic winemakers we’re incredibly proud to work with, here are six women making waves in the wine industry.

Estelle Roy

Awarded White Wine Maker of the Year in 2024 at the International Wine Challenge, Estelle Roy is the trailblazing female winemaker at La Chablisienne, producing our Collection Chablis. “We’ve been working with La Chablisienne for more than 40 years. They make exceptional quality Chablis,” says Sue Daniels, M&S in-house expert winemaker. “Since becoming head cellar master, Estelle has been working to uphold that tradition and legacy, making laser-focussed fine Chablis wines.”

Estelle is working hard to adapt to the challenges of making wine in the face of climate change, implementing sustainable practices to protect La Chablisienne's cooperative vineyards while preserving the renowned quality of Chablis. “All good wine starts in the vineyard,” says Sue. With Estelle’s dedication and innovation, Chablis remains in expert hands for the next generation.

Try Estelle's Collection Chablis

Susana Balbo

An iconic Argentinian winemaker, Susana Balbo needs little introduction. The first female oenologist (the study of winemaking) in Argentina, Susana has been making wines for over 40 years, promoting Argentinian viticulture abroad – she's a force to be reckoned with.

Susana founded her family winery in Mendoza in 1999, where she still crafts wines known for their complexity and finesse. Our Collection Susana Balbo Malbec is one such example. Made with grapes from a unique sub-region of the Uco Valley called Los Chacayes, where they grow at high altitudes and ripen with an incredible violet floral flavour and mineral freshness. Look out for our new Collection Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon, which launches in May.

Try Susana Balbo Malbec

Maria Carella

Head winemaker at the historic Sicilian winery Cantine Nicosia, on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, Maria Carella is making waves in sustainable winemaking practices. “We try to use indigenous grape varieties when making our wines. These native varieties are well-adapted to the environment, so they’re more resistant to disease and climate change, and they express themselves best in the terroir,” Maria tells us.

She makes the M&S Etna Rosso, using two local grapes – Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio – to produce an intense yet delicate wine, with delicious flavours of cherry, blackberry and mocha. “My greatest inspiration is to try to leave the world in a state that’s liveable for our children – for me, respect for the environment, the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of land is fundamental.”

Maria's Etna Rosso, this way

Carine Bailleul

“Carine Bailleul has been pivotal in crafting our Delacourt Champagne since we launched it in 2018,” says Sue Daniels. Carine learned alongside the renowned Elisabeth Sarcelet at Champagne Castelnau, starting as an intern in 2003, before succeeding her as chef de caves four years ago. With deep-rooted expertise in Champagne, she’s working hard to uphold the region’s tradition of producing rich, well-developed wines while maintaining Delacourt’s signature style - longer ageing on lees and a higher proportion of reserve wine, resulting in a beautifully complex, biscuity Champagne. Cheers to that!

More champagne over here

Sydney Griboval

“Sydney brings so much enthusiasm and fun to winemaking. It’s really important to her that every customer takes real pleasure in the wines she makes,” says Sue. An experienced oenologist and winemaker, Sydney spent years crafting wines in the Loire as a consultant before joining Terres Secrètes last year.

Now based in Mâcon Villages, she combines modern techniques with traditional methods to create unbeatable quality wine while keeping it accessible. The Mâcon Villages she makes for M&S is a beautifully balanced dry white, with vibrant flavours of fresh apple, zesty lemon, and a hint of white peach.

Try Mâcon Villages

Trizanne Barnard

South African winemaker Trizanne Barnard, founder of Trizanne Signature Wines (TSW), is well known for her innovative and adventurous approach to winemaking, crafting wines that celebrate the diverse terroirs of South Africa. “It’s been brilliant to work with Trizanne. We start with an idea for a wine we want, and Trizanne will run with it, choosing a blend of unusual grapes and classic South African varieties. She has a real innovative, creative and adventurous approach, making wines with wonderful richness, yet without heaviness,” says Sue.

Give her Peacock Tail Pinotage a go, made with South Africa's signature grape, with beautiful ripe flavours of blackcurrants, cherries and vanilla.

Peacock Tail Pinotage, this way

Published 2.25.2025