#GiveToGain: A Conversation with the Women of Black Chalk on International Women’s Day
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
At Black Chalk, we know great wine can only be made by a great team of people. And while the wine industry has historically been seen as male-dominated, times are changing rapidly. We’re proud to have four incredibly talented women at the heart of our great team of people, driving every aspect of our business, from vineyard to winery and marketing to hospitality.
This International Women’s Day, the theme is #GiveToGain. So, we gathered the four women of Black Chalk, poured a glass of Wild Rose, and picked apart what #GiveToGain actually means and what it means to be a woman in wine today.
“It’s not often we all sit down together like this,” laughs Becky, who leads marketing and events. “Maybe we should make this a more regular fixture.”“Definitely up for that!” replies Zoë, Black Chalk’s winemaker.
At first, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, didn’t immediately resonate with the women of Black Chalk. “Honestly, I think we all thought the same when we first saw the theme,” Becky says. “Give to gain? What does that actually mean for us at Black Chalk?”
As the conversation unfolds, the group realises the answer is already part of their everyday work.
“As a winemaker, you have to give constantly,” Zoë reflects. “You give your
weekends during harvest, your energy to the physical cellar work, and your knowledge to the people around you.”
“Energy, yes!” Leah agrees. “In the vineyard, it’s a pretty literal meaning. You give your back, your hands, your hours, all in the hope the vines give back great fruit. But it’s also about giving opportunities to others.”
That idea recently became real when Black Chalk welcomed a student from Sparsholt College for a vineyard placement.
“Mentorship is everything,” Zoë explains. “I was the first UK winemaking apprentice and studied for my MSc in Viticulture and Oenology entirely in my own time, with no science background. Giving knowledge, guidance and access isn’t just a nice gesture; it was essential for me, and it's essential if we want to continue to see the younger generation coming through.”
Leah nods. “Being able to give hands-on experience, pruning, tending vines, understanding how a vineyard works, we're gaining something too. Students bring fresh perspectives and questions we might not have thought of.”
For Lisa, who works in the tasting room, giving takes the form of connection. “In hospitality, we’re not just serving wine, we’re sharing a story and welcoming people into the world of Black Chalk and English wine. When guests feel that authenticity, we gain trust and loyalty.”
“And we're literally touching every part of Black Chalk's story,” Becky adds. “That's pretty impressive."
"True", Lisa says, "Leah's growing the grapes, Zoë's making the wine, Becky creates the story and I shape how people experience it. When women contribute across every part of a business, it creates something stronger."
Looking ahead, the team hopes the industry continues to evolve. “Ultimately, we’d love to reach a point where women in wine are simply recognised as winemakers, growers, and leaders, not ‘female winemakers’." Lisa says, "Skill should speak louder than gender.”
“There will always be people who question your skill,” Zoë adds. “I struggled with that when I was new to the industry. You have to build confidence and self-assurance.”
“And when women see other women succeeding, it gives them the confidence to
step forward,” Leah adds. “It would be great to see a younger, more diverse wine industry. We’re paving the way!”
"I’ve worked with so many passionate women who’ve fought tooth and nail to get where they are. In parts of the wine world, being a woman can feel like a fight. Here we lift each other up rather than compete, and that culture of support changes everything. I hope more women can experience that.”
In the end, the theme #GiveToGain did resonate, just not in the way the team first expected!
