Wine
Women in Wine: Rachel Boyd
Rachel Boyd is passionate about produce and agritourism in Tasmania. As Marketing Manager at Kreglinger Wines Estate, she promotes the company’s portfolio of wine brands including Piper’s Brook Estate, Kreglinger Sparkling, Piper’s Tasmania and Ninth Island.
Do you have any role models or mentors who have been an important part of your career journey?
Curly Haslam-Coates of Vintage Tasmania is a great example of someone who has inspired me, who is always ready to work collaboratively and advocate for others in this space. I also work closely with our Executive Director Jacqui Fryett, who has been a great example of leadership within a male dominated industry. I’m proud to work for a company that provides opportunity for success in the workplace regardless of gender.
What qualities do you think it takes to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated industry?
Collaboration, I think. I see some really inspiring women in wine in a number of varied roles whether they be winemakers, educators, writers or sommeliers, who have made a point of ensuring there is space to work together or even just to meet and support each other as women in wine, and I think it’s incredibly empowering to apply that approach to life in general, not just within a professional capacity.
What is your favourite wine to drink?
I mean, it’s got to be Tasmanian sparkling - particularly Kreglinger. Single vineyard, traditional method sparkling from the Pipers River region. The process of traditional method is labour intensive, it’s time consuming, it’s art combined with science and it’s all of the things that made me fall in love with this industry. Seeing our team, our region and our fruit shine in that context is so incredibly romantic! I could talk about it all day, and I could absolutely enjoy a glass right about now.
How did you get started in the industry and what inspired you to become a marketing manager and work in the wine industry?
I was working full time within a marketing role but started slinging wines on the side for a small local vineyard in 2016 and instantly fell in love with the industry, the product, the people and the stories that started to emerge before me. I was hooked, instantly! And not just on the delicious wine. So I just kept showing up until they finally relented and offered me a full time position to move into.
What are you most excited about in the Australian wine industry right now?
I’m excited to see Tasmania constantly becoming more recognised as the place to watch when it comes to incredibly premium cool climate wine. The quality of fruit and the winemaking, the stories of our producers and the experiences that are created for visitors to the state are incredible – and a secret I’m happy to share with anyone who will listen.
What are some of your favourite highlights throughout your career in wine?
I am always thrilled to get my hands dirty during vintage and be a part of the process in the winery. There’s something so satisfying about contributing in a really hands on way to the finished product that you spend all year showing off at every opportunity. It’s so immersive to be a part of that process, from vineyard to winery to bottling line and beyond – and it makes it so easy to market that product when you experience the labour and the passion that goes into every drop firsthand.
What advice would you give to young women just starting out or considering a career in the wine industry?
To go for it, and to connect with like-minded people within the industry at any opportunity.