78 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JULY 2021
MAIN DISH
A TOAST TO FEMALE EAST
BY KRISTEN CATALANO
Nearly 50 Long Island vineyards have
been making award-winning wines
for the past four decades, but many of
those wineries are able to function only
because of the women working behind
the scenes.
Many women working in decision-making
positions observe that there are
more women than ever working in
the wine industry. But there is still a
long way to go until they are equally
represented in the most crucial jobs,
such as winemaking and management.
Right now a majority of the women in
the local wine industry are employed
as hospitality workers, but change is
underway.
“I’ve observed a much higher percentage
of women applying for open
positions or inquiring about whether
we have an open position,” says Alie
Shaper, who cofounded Chronicle
Wines in Peconic. “To me that is certainly
evidence of a sea change happening
in our greater culture, where women
are feeling empowered and stepping
forward more frequently to bring opportunity
into their lives.”
Since being founded by two female
winemakers, Shaper and Robin Epperson
McCarthy, 15 years ago, Chronicle
Wines has grown into five brands.
Shaper also has a second company
called Alie Shaper Fine Wines and is
the winemaker at Croteaux Vineyards
in Southold.
“We presently have a woman in every
decision-making position in our company,”
says Shaper. “That wasn’t so much
by design, but it’s how our team has organically
developed. We tend to receive
a very high percentage of resumes from
women, and we’ve been lucky to create
a real powerhouse team.”
And they’re not alone.
Ami Opisso, the general manager at Lieb
Cellars in Cutchogue, believes that what
attracts women to the wine industry is
the beauty and experience that comes
with working in the industry.
“I think it’s about the beauty and the
balance,” she says. “I spend most of my
time in front of a computer, but I get to
drive along an iconic farm road to get
to work, and the view outside my office
window is rows on rows of stunning
grapevines.”
Opisso says her aim is to work hard
with her staff to make sure every guest
who walks through their doors has an
unforgettable experience, which is why
Opisso believes their tasting room is the
key to standing out.
“At Lieb, the elevated guest experience
at our tasting room is what makes us
different,” she says. “Our servers are
all formally trained wine professionals,
and we focus on education, food pairing
and an intimate experience.”
Lilia Perez of RGNY Wines in Riverhead
believes the wine industry still has a
long way to go for women to achieve
equality in the industry, but she is
hopeful for the future.
“I feel so proud every time I see and
meet more and more women involved
in it,” she says.
The idea behind RGNY Wines is that innovation
is key, says Perez, adding that
innovation is what keeps the customers
coming back and also what sets them
apart from the competition.
“We offer a modern approach to wine
while embracing traditional winemaking
techniques,” Perez explains. “We are
passionate and serious about our winemaking.
We want our visitors to go back
home with a complete wine experience,
one that they can share with others and
that, hopefully, creates an interest to
“We are passionate and serious about our
winemaking,” says Lilia Perez.
L. to R.: Lilia Perez; Alie Shaper; Joanne Goerler
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
