New Jersey Women in Wine

On July 18, 2021, New Jersey’s Women in Wine launched.

The first members? Three women who work at New Jersey wineries who wanted to make a change and provide a much-needed space for women in the industry. Since then, the group has grown to include more than 40 members and is now a thriving community for women to network with others in the industry, learn about opportunities in wine, hone skills, and much more.

The Garden State Wine Growers Association’s Women in Wine Caucus, as it is formally named, is a network that connects women with other women, providing opportunities for jobs and meeting others in the industry. A priority for the group is offering education and training in areas such as heavy machinery, maintenance, dormant pruning, tasting, and more. This education is often free and can help women advance in their careers in the industry. It is also a place for a leg-up for women who may want to get into the industry.

Since the group’s inception, members have had the opportunity to hone their skills in driving forklifts and tractors, blending wine, dormant pruning, and more—and the group is just getting started. The wine blending trial led to the organization’s first bottled wine, a white blend (that’s yet to be named or released).

“Our group is definitely centered around supporting all roles in the wine industry that women might hold,” says Staci Dempsey, chair of the Women in Wine committee. “From owners, winemakers, and vineyard managers to tasting room employees who educate the public—this group is for all women regardless of what role they have in the industry.”

Women in Wine invites all women in the industry to get involved. For more information or to join, email womeninwinenj@gmail.com.

Follow Women in Wine on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn


Upcoming Events

Save the date: On May 21, 2024, Women in Wine will host a panel discussion at the Alice Paul Institute in Mount Laurel. More info to come.


Spotlight On Women in Wine Leadership Team

Staci Dempsey, LUTCF, FFC, Chair of the Women in Wine Committee

Staci is part of the second-generation family-owned Dempsey Weiss & Associates which has served and worked with New Jersey’s agricultural community for the past 20 years. For the past five years, she and her brother Joel have immersed themselves in learning and understanding the needs of vineyards and wineries. American National Insurance named the sister and brother team the Winery Specialists for the state of New Jersey. 

At Wilmington, Delaware’s Padua Academy, Staci focused her education on Women’s History and Women’s Studies before joining her family’s business. Part of Dempsey Weiss & Associate’s business model is to serve the people they wish to work with and be a part of the Women in Wine Caucus to serve the clients she works with.

“I gain a better understanding of the challenges the wine industry has, and when possible, I help,” she says. 

Staci lives in Logan Township with her husband, John, and two children, Monroe and Bishop. 

Staci is joined by the following women in the New Jersey wine industry on the leadership team:

Press inquiries for information on the Women in Wine organization or to interview any of the leadership team can be directed to: womeninwinenj@gmail.com.