As a woman working in Miami’s wine industry, I am regularly impressed by the female professionals who lead, educate, and drive curiosity within our wine community. In recognition of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day in March, I wanted to highlight just a few women who are making a meaningful impact on South Florida’s wine scene. While the full list could easily fill a book rather than an article, these four women are helping shape Miami’s wine industry in their own unique ways.
DENISE BARKER
IWA Sake, the Sommelier Society of America, & Wine Industry Consultant
(Photo: Romain Maurice )
Denise Barker describes her enthusiasm for Miami, “Miami is vibrant and full of energy, and that energy is shaping the wine world in exciting ways.”
Denise Barker, U.S. Brand Director for IWA Sake, lead instructor at the Sommelier Society of America, and wine industry consultant, didn’t enter wine chasing glamour.
“I came into it because it felt alive,” she said.
Her path began in culinary school, where a single wine class taught her how to slow down and trust her senses. Wine became a form of travel, a way to experience the world without leaving the table.
A turning point came in 2011 at her first New York Wine Spectator Wine Experience. The bottle was a 1986 Gruaud Larose, which someone described as smelling like a “dirty baby diaper.” Though she didn’t understand the reference yet, the wine hooked her anyway.
“That curiosity never left,” she said.
And that perspective followed her to Miami.
“People share knowledge, make introductions, and genuinely show up for one another, which makes building here deeply collaborative,” Barker said about the wine community in the Magic City.
For young women entering the industry, Barker’s advice is clear.
“Know what genuinely lights you up, not what others tell you you’re good at.” She emphasizes boundaries and self-care in an alcohol-centered industry and reminds us all, “You don’t have to fit an existing mold to belong.”
Today, Barker defines success as impact, alignment, and contribution.
“Wine is about connection, and being part of that feels like a privilege.”
ALESSANDRA ESTEVES
Florida Wine Academy and 305 Wines
Alessandra Esteves, co-founder and director of wine education at Florida Wine Academy and 305 Wines, talks about wine with a calm confidence. Though she is arguably the top wine educator in South Florida, her credibility and notoriety in the industry would not be classified as flashy but hard-earned.
When she arrived in Miami in 2016, the city needed an educational institution for wine. Esteves was determined enough to lead the way and opened Florida Wine Academy without knowing anyone in town.
“It was very challenging the first few years, getting to know people, trying to be accepted,” she said.
Today, the school educates nearly 1,000 people annually, a testament to patience and persistence.
When asked what it takes to succeed in wine now, Esteves answered with a metaphor worthy of the subject.
“Just like a good wine, you need to be fresh (learning every day), have enough complexity and depth (knowledge), know how to talk to different groups (hospitality), and a long finish (patience).”
As for young women coming up in the industry, she tells them, “Don’t do it alone. Find your support group.”
GABRIELA V. OSPINA
(Courtesy: Star Chefs)
Regarding Miami, Gabriela V. Ospina says, “I would argue that the wine scene down here is very female-presenting, and I am the biggest fan.”
Boia De
Gabriela V. Ospina, wine director at Boia De, didn’t initially plan on a career in wine. Hospitality was once a side job, something she expected to leave behind while pursuing a bespoke tailoring business. Over time, she realized how much she loved connecting with people, and wine became the medium that allowed her to do that most meaningfully.
In Miami, community is what keeps her engaged.
“There are days when trends feel stale, and tastings start to blur,” she said. Then, a conversation with a winemaker about biodynamic vineyards or introducing a guest to their first sip of Paolo Bea reignites her passion.
Ospina believes success in wine requires adaptability. Technical knowledge and storytelling matter, but so does inventory management and cost control.
“Plenty of people can explain why a wine is delicious,” she said. “Doing it while still turning a profit is the challenge.”
Looking ahead, she’s optimistic.
“The future of wine in Miami is in the expansion of its reach, through education, events, on-premise experiences, etc. We need new faces, fresh perspectives, and a whole lot more wine.”
And her advice to women starting their careers in wine: “It’s OK not to know and to give yourself the grace to figure it out.”
JENNIFER SCHMITT
(Courtesy: Jennifer Schmitt)
Jennifer Schmitt advises newcomers to the industry, “Stay humble enough to keep learning, and confident enough to take up space.”
Southeast Market Manager at Dalla Terre and Advanced Sommelier
Jennifer Schmitt, an Advanced Sommelier and fine wine specialist with Dalla Terre, came to wine through restaurants, but it became a calling at one of her first multi-course wine dinners. While sitting with a chef and unpacking pairing logic, regional nuance, and producer choices, something clicked. Wine, she realized, “tells a story, but it’s not fluffy. It’s real, it’s rooted.”
Building a career in Miami sharpened her business instincts quickly. In highly visible programs like Zuma, she learned that passion alone isn’t enough. Pricing strategy, inventory, cost control, and relationships must all work together in real time. In a city where teams, guests, and expectations shift fast, reputation is built with every service. Staying nimble and approachable while showing up consistently is nonnegotiable.
“You’ve got to know your stuff and still make people feel comfortable,” she said.
Schmitt advises young women coming up in the industry to “trust that you belong, even if you’re still finding your footing.” Learn the business early, protect your boundaries, and don’t wear burnout as a badge. In Miami’s evolving wine community, Schmitt sees collaboration creating space for education, new voices, and a future that feels genuinely connected to the city.
Jacqueline Coleman is a wine and travel writer and Star Wine List’s ambassador in Miami. She is a contributor to Luxury Guide USA magazine, a regular guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s “Food, News & Views” podcast, and founder of BYOBMiami.com.
Jacqueline Coleman