Sharing a Glass

Even if you’re not an oenophile, chances are you know that Ontario’s wine industry produces some of Canada’s best bottles. In just a few decades, the wines crafted in the province have begun to claim their rightful place on the world stage, thanks, in part, to the pioneering efforts of the many women spotlighted in Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario’s Grape & Wine Industry. With their passion and expertise—as scientists, sommeliers, grape growers, winemakers, and more—these women overcame complex challenges in a fledgling agricultural industry that was dominated by men, leaving their indelible mark for the benefit of those who followed.

Author Jennifer Wilhelm, who got her own start in the Ontario culinary and hospitality sector as a young woman with an insatiable curiosity to learn, wanted to honour the nine women featured in this book by bringing their stories—in their words—to these pages. It is a written record of their profound accomplishments and the knowledge they are still sharing. Their passion and joy is palpable. Reading Sharing a Glass almost feels like sitting down to a good chat with friends, best enjoyed with your favourite Ontario wine.

As the readers learn about these remarkable women, they’ll also gain a fascinating understanding about grapes, winemaking, and the evolution of the industry in Ontario, Canada, and beyond. Each chapter is completed with a series of tributes from their friends and colleagues, sharing their own anecdotes and appreciation for these women.