Raise a Glass to Her | February Event

Raise a Glass to Her is a monthly celebration spotlighting women who are shaping the spirits industry as entrepreneurs, experts, and trailblazers. Each event features a different female leader and a rotating focus across wine, whiskey, spirits, and beyond, ensuring no two gatherings are ever the same. Some evenings invite you to learn through guided tastings and conversations, while others center on celebration and community. What remains constant is the opportunity to connect with inspiring stories and exceptional pours. Join us as we honor the women behind the bottle and raise a glass to their impact.

This February, Raise a Glass to Her welcomes J Vineyards & Winery, a proudly female-driven brand led by women who have redefined excellence in winemaking from vineyard to cellar. Today, that legacy carries forward under the guidance of Nicole Hitchcock, Estate Director and former Head Winemaker. Nicole’s leadership has elevated J’s portfolio across both sparkling and still wines and earned her Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 Winemaker of the Year.

Skip the bars and restaurants on Valentine's weekend, and grab your girls for a toast with us! Your ticket includes unlimited tastings of J Vineyards’ beautifully crafted blends, along with open access to our indulgent caviar station and local charcuterie display because some nights are meant to be savored without limits. Each guest will also receive a special take-home gift to remember the evening. 🥂

At the heart of this month’s Raise a Glass to Her is J Vineyards & Winery, a pioneering California winery with deep roots in female leadership and innovation. The winery was founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, who launched J at just 26 years old with a bold vision to craft world-class sparkling and still wines in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley at a time when the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated — setting a standard for women’s leadership in wine that continues today.

Today, that legacy carries forward under the guidance of Nicole Hitchcock, Estate Director and former Head Winemaker. Nicole’s leadership has elevated J’s portfolio across both sparkling and still wines and earned her Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 Winemaker of the Year — a rare and prestigious honor in the industry. She champions diversity, mentorship, and creative excellence, and leads a majority women-led team across winemaking, hospitality, and consumer experience.

Supporting her are dynamic women like Senior Winemaker Laura Fontaine, who brings international winemaking experience from France and California, and Associate Winemaker Becca Del Solar, whose scientific background and passion for fermentation inform her craft. Other key female leaders on the J team include Operations Manager Paige Watson, Brand Manager Laura Maguire, and Club J Associate Manager Alexandra Kirker, all of whom help shape the winery’s strategic direction, community engagement, and member experiences.

This mix of visionary founders and today’s bold female leaders makes J Vineyards not just a producer of beautifully balanced wines, but a studio of creativity, mentorship, and innovation — which is exactly the spirit we’re celebrating this February.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

King & Rye, 480 King Street, Alexandria, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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