Women in Brewing, Distilling and Winemaking: Progress, Barriers and Opportunity

Across Europe’s brewing, distilling and winemaking sectors, women are making valuable contributions — as producers, technicians, winemakers, founders and leaders. Yet despite their growing presence, many women still face persistent barriers to progressing into technical and senior roles.

What the Evidence Shows

Research from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) highlights ongoing gender gaps across the EU labour market, including in employment, leadership and decision-making roles. Women remain less represented in senior and technical positions, a trend that holds true in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing and production — categories that include much of the drinks sector.
(EIGE Gender Equality Index, 2024)

In the beverage alcohol industries specifically, sector surveys show that many women experience barriers related to workplace culture, lack of clear progression pathways, and limited access to technical training. A study by Women of the Vine & Spirits found that only a small proportion of women believe the industry has made significant progress on equality, with many reporting challenges in career advancement and visibility.
(Women of the Vine & Spirits industry research, 2023)

How These Challenges Affect the Drinks Industry

In practice, these patterns often emerge as:

• Underrepresentation in technical roles such as brewers, distillers or lead winemakers.
• Fewer women in leadership and decision-making positions, even where women are well represented at entry levels.
• Limited access to hands-on, technical training and clear routes for career progression.
• Workplace cultures and recruitment practices that have not always supported inclusion or flexible pathways.

These issues not only affect women’s careers — they also constrain businesses. As the drinks industry adapts to skills shortages, sustainability demands and market change, it benefits from a broader pool of talent, perspectives and expertise.

Why Change Matters

Supporting women to progress isn’t only a matter of fairness. A growing body of research shows that diverse teams and inclusive workplaces improve innovation, decision-making and business resilience. When women have access to training, mentoring and leadership opportunities, the whole sector gains:

• Stronger talent pipelines
• Greater retention of skilled workers
• More resilient and adaptive businesses
• Wider participation in innovation and sustainability practices

How Projects Like VINTA Help

Initiatives such as VINTA are designed to address these very gaps. By combining:

• industry-led research that identifies barriers and good practice,
• practical vocational training and open educational resources,
• digital learning pathways for flexible access, and
• inclusive workplace tools for employers,

VINTA supports women to build technical skills, confidence and leadership capacity. At the same time, the project works with employers to help them recognise talent, strengthen progression pathways and create inclusive cultures where diverse talent can thrive.

Real change is about both opportunity and support — and when women succeed, the sector becomes stronger and more sustainable for everyone.