Reporting by Lettie Teague:  This spring, half the graduates of the University of California’s prestigious viticulture school were women up from a third in 1999.

Women have been successful in their own wine businesses in Napa and Sonoma Counties.  Godmother of them all is Merry Edwards, who started in Mount Eden Vineyards in 1974 and was a founder of Mantanzas Creek WInery in Sonoma in 1977.  Edwards turned out terrific Sauvignon Blancs and Merlots.  When she started her own winery shre produced polished Pinot Noirs.

After 40 years in the business, she laughs when people say, “Wow, women can do this.”  Women come to her for inspiration, but her advice is similar to others who talk to women starting up. “Weak women aren’t going to make it anywhere.”

She helped start a day-care center at Mantazas Creek.  Male wine makers had often told her they didn’t know how to deal with women.  That’s why many women have struck out on their own.

Jennifer Porembski remarked that the work was physical:  Rolling barrels and pulling hoses. Part of a job interview can be a demonstration of hoisting barrels.  There’s also tedium and it’s hot and dusty.

Yet a woman was Napa Valley’s Grape Grower of the Year in 2014.

Some vinters remarked that the difference between men and women in the field was only in the minds of journalists.  One recalled being asked how women liked growing masculine grapes like Syrah.

Many women vinters in Sonoma and Napa Counties felt that the field was wide open for women.  And men too.