Vin de Filles
Allow us to introduce three visionary women who are making waves in the world of Arizona wine. Meet Lauren Maldonado, Bree Nation, and Gayle Glomski, (above from left). They are the collaborators behind a unique, small-batch, single-label wine from Page Springs Cellars.
Each followed her heart and individual path to pursue winemaking; those paths serendipitously converged at Page Springs Cellars. For over a decade, through hands-on learning, they have gained expertise in all facets of grape growing, harvesting, fermentation, blending, and the fine details of the vintner’s craft. Their shared, immersive experience led to the idea of an all-woman-produced wine, Vin de Filles. The upcoming annual release celebration is all about women: showcasing women chefs; additional women winemakers and vineyard owners; and now a beer brewer. The proceeds benefit a local women’s shelter.
Gayle, who also manages a yoga and massage service at the vineyard and owns a body care product business called Second Harvest, says she fell into winemaking.
“I had no background at all.” A long-time yoga teacher, she moved to the Verde Valley from California as a single mom. Six months later she met her future husband Eric Glomski, who was working in a nearby vineyard while he planned his winery that became Page Springs Cellars. Gayle became closely involved in vineyard operations and one day, during her first harvest, she had an ‘aha!’ moment.
“I was managing my first pick- I had two others in the same day- and I grabbed a whole bunch of volunteers to help. I looked around- 99% of my crew were women. They were amazing. They had such a good work ethic.” The idea of a wine produced from start to finish by women took root, and Gayle nurtured it in talks with Bree and Eric.
Bree is an Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix.
“I got to know and appreciate wine by working in restaurants while at ASU,” she says. “I was about to get a degree in Sustainability, and I looked at internships at sustainable wineries in California. I went and did that briefly then returned to Arizona. I hadn’t been to this area before, and hadn’t tasted Arizona wines. I went to some Verde Valley tasting rooms and was impressed with the wines. I knew I wanted to be in wine production in this area.,” Bree added. After working at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards for one year, Bree joined Page Spring Cellars, becoming assistant to the head winemaker in 2019.
Lauren moved to Sedona from Colorado in 2012 and worked in a retail shop in Uptown Sedona that sold Arizona products including wines.
She says, “I took an interest in the wines and educated myself, learning about the industry, where the grapes were grown in the state. The more I learned the more I fell in love with wine, so I applied at PSC and was hired in the tasting room in 2013. As I was pouring wine for guests, they often asked me about what was going on in the vineyards. I didn’t know, so was inspired to learn about the grape-growing side. I asked the vineyard manager if they were hiring in the vineyard. He let me start working one day a week with a crew of eight guys. The manager said I was an amazing fit, and with the blessing of the tasting room manager, I started in the vineyard full-time. I did that for four years, and I’d ask Bree, Eric, and Gayle questions, so I could learn more, eventually becoming a vineyard tour guide.”
"...99% of my crew were women. They were amazing. They had such a good work ethic."
The Vin de Filles wine is inspired by Côte-Rôtie blends, a sought-after style of wine originating in the northern Rhone Valley where Syrah and Viognier grapes thrive in the heat. Bree says:
“We decided to make a “Rôtie-style” wine”, says Bree, "but instead of Viognier grapes, we used Malvasia Bianca. We used a pied de cuvée wild fermentation from these grapes and used it to inoculate the Syrah. It is a co-fermented 93% Syrah, 7% Malvasia blend. The wild yeast lends a special flavor nuance to the wine. We hope we can do it this way again this year. The process is quite tricky and requires careful observation of the grapes on the vine, during pressing, and the must after pressing.”
Reflecting upon the idea behind their label, “the dark fruit of the Syrah reflects the strength of women, balanced by the floral, feminine characteristics of the Malvasia.” says Gayle.
“It is serious and elegant,” says Bree. “The Syrah gives structure, berry fruit notes- it’s sanguine and brooding. The Malvasia is light and floral.” Lauren describes it as “very versatile, with nice, fruity character which lends itself well to many dishes."
With their success, the Vin de Filles trio is creating an inspirational model for women entrepreneurs, especially vintners, and cultivating opportunities to showcase the contributions of women in the wine industry and beyond. “It’s about learning the relationship of the land to the bottle,” says Gayle. The best wine comes from the best grapes, well-nurtured.”
Bree describes the wine industry in Arizona as “experimental—it’s in the pre-teen phase still. We are still identifying the grapes that do best here, and every year is different and unpredictable. We have no real history yet.”
So, there is ample room for experimentation and creativity, making it an exciting time for wineries, and for women who want to get involved in the industry here. And they are taking note: an increasing number of women are making wine in Arizona. Gayle reports that for this year’s state-wide Emerging Winemakers Competition at Yavapai College, eight out of 26 applicants are women—"34.2.% higher than I expected!”
Notably, the expansive vision and nurturing spirit of these women extends beyond the making of fine wine to embrace community service, empowerment, and philanthropy.
Bree came up with the concept of supporting a non-profit called the Verde Valley Sanctuary. The shelter offers aid to abused and trafficked women from Arizona and other states, even from other countries. Services include temporary housing, counseling, and workforce training.
90%-95% of the proceeds from the Vin de Filles wine sales go to help fund housing options for the women. The original fundraising goal was $5,000.00. Instead, they raised $20,000; the second year they raised $40,000.
“It’s our goal to fund the lease of housing units for women with private rooms that are pet friendly. One of the reasons why battered women are reluctant to go to shelters is that they have to leave their pets behind,” says Bree. Another planned goal, Gayle says, “is to set up a program to allow some of the women to come to work with us. We can offer a safe space for women to be outdoors, working with plants, learning about vineyards, socializing, and getting a toehold.” Extending their empowerment to these women in their community is a generous gift. It could be mutually rewarding in another way since a strong labor force is essential and is always in need of new recruits. However, since security is a huge issue for women in shelters, the logistics of a vineyard work option are still in development.
“For me,” says Gayle, “our project reflects empowerment, inspiration, and community. Not only do I love what we are doing, I would like to see us become the inspiration for women in other states, even other countries, to start their own groups and be supportive of women’s efforts in arts, culinary work, gardens as well as winemaking.”
Come meet these creative visionaries, support them in their endeavors, and have fun!
The third anniversary celebration of the Vin de Filles wine release and dinner party will take place October 22 – 23 at the Page Springs Cellars winery on the banks of Oak Creek in the heart of the Verde Valley wine region.
The dinner is a five-course menu prepared by five women chefs, served with wines from women winemakers or from vineyards owned by women. This year will also feature a beer made by a woman brewer from hops grown at Page Springs Cellars.
WHERE: Page Springs Cellars, 1500 N Page Springs Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325
WHEN: Sunday & Monday, October 22 – 23.
TICKETS: Available at www.pagespringscellars.com
