Bâtonnage, the French word for stirring the lees, is now about stirring up the conversation about women and wine.  The Bâtonnage Forum, founded in 2018, is creating a safe space to have difficult conversations about gender inclusivity in the wine world.  Katie Canfield and Rebecca Johnson, partners at wine PR agency O’Donnell Lane, are currently carrying the baton for the forum.  They tell XChateau about transitioning the forum to virtual, launching a mentorship program, and filing for 501c3 status.  This episode is sponsored by Repour, the simple, effective way to preserve your wine...without planning ahead.  Extensively used by top sommeliers, wineries, and wine students, Repour prevents wasted wine and saves money.  Find out more at repour.com and listen to Episode 24, where CEO Tom Lutz gives us all the details on Repour.  Detailed Show NotesThe mission of The Bâtonnage Forum - to open up the conversation about women and wine and create a safe space to have difficult conversationsFounded in 2018 by Stevie Stacionis and Sarah BraySet up to “pass the baton” every two yearsKatie and Rebecca are the lead organizers for 2020 and 2021This brings in new ideas and changes to the organizationThe Bâtonnage Forum has transformed from 1 day in Napa to a robust, active community from all sectors of the wine industryThe broad focus is a unique selling pointIt’s a platform for education and engagementThey have gotten lots of positive, direct feedback (thank yous, emails, volunteers who want to be involved) The Forum1st two forums held in NapaWent from 1 day to multi-day, multi-session virtual forum, expanding the audience to all of North America and some global participants2021 - will be 3 days at the end of JuneThe issueOnly ~30-40% of wine businesses are women-ownedOnly 14% of CA wineries have female head winemakers, though this has improved someThe Sommelier industry has meager female participation#metoo movement has been helpfulHow to HelpStep 1 - acknowledge and recognize the issue, join the conversation, including at the Bâtonnage ForumStep 2 - improve HR and hiring practicesStep 3 - mentoring (spread the word about the mentorship opportunities to potential mentees), education (including WSET, MW, etc.…), and shaking up the conversationDonations (currently filing for 501c3 status)2020 accomplishmentsPivoted in-person forum (was planning to be at Sonoma Broadway Farms) to virtual due to Covid with 10 sessions, 35 speakers, and 20 winemakers and chefs for a virtual walk-around tasting2021 InitiativesLaunched Mentorship Program - Level 1 of 3Mentoring leads include the founders, Priyanka French, Tonya Pitts, and Mary MaherSponsored by Napa Valley VintnersFiling for 501c3 non-profit status, targeting $10k/year for 3 yearsLaunching a Bâtonnage Forum branded canned wine with NomadicaWant to dive deeper into uncomfortable conversationsActively collaborates with other gender and under-represented inclusion groupsDiversity in Wine Leadership Forum - bringing the various diversity and inclusion groups together to understand what each group brings to the table and avoid overlapAssemblage in Willamette ValleyWonder Women of Wine (now Lift Collective) in TexasBlack Wine Professionals by Julia ConeyHow we’ll know when we’re “there” - when there’s no longer a place for diversity committees in organizations Get access to library episodes Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.