As Women’s History Monthy approaches in March, support the women pushing the boundaries of flavor and bringing more equity and diversity into the drinks industry. From trailblazers in the rosé wine and spiked seltzer categories to pioneering spirits producers, this sector is more diverse than ever.

Not only are the products crafted by this group exceptionally high in quality, but their stories and ethos align with increasingly prevalent consumer attitudes toward brand values. As BevAlc Insights predicted in early 2021, consumer consciousness for brand values continues to increase. In fact, the share of women-owned brand sales on Drizly expanded by 16 percent year-over-year in 2022. 

“A growing segment of consumers use their purchasing dollars to support their values,” says Amy Walberg of PRESS spiked seltzers, one of the fastest-growing women-owned brands on Drizly. “Statistics show that woman-owned brands are a very small percentage of the full beverage market. We are in the distinct minority – but we also bring a unique perspective to the industry.”

Since 2019, the women-owned category has seen steady and sustained growth, with sales and the volume of brands and products available continuing to increase. In 2022, the number of women-owned brands grew by one percent over 2021 levels, while the volume of SKUs on Drizly expanded by four percent over 2021. 

Within the category, offerings skew heavily toward wine, which makes up 86 percent of women-owned brands on Drizly, followed by liquor and beer at eight and five percent, respectively. Today, over 89 percent of Drizly partner retailers carry products from at least one woman-owned brand. According to Jill Burns, the cofounder of RTD powerhouse Austin Cocktails, the opportunities for expansion into women-owned brands – and the resulting profits for well-stocked retailers – are massive. 

“It is easy to be part of the change we want to see by seeking out women-owned brands and supporting them with buying power,” she says. According to Burns, simple steps, such as dedicating time to meeting with small, women-led producers and seeking out female entrepreneurs, would bring more parity to the industry. At the same time, promoting unique products from women-led brands offers curious drinkers an opportunity to expand beyond their everyday drink of choice.

Erica Blumenthal, a cofounder of the popular Yes Way Rosé brand, agrees. “It is important that retailers continue to seek the origin stories behind brands while building their portfolios,” she says. “While style, varietal, and price are important factors, consumers are continuing to be more invested in the ‘who’ and the ‘why’ behind the brands they choose. Curating the anecdotes and ‘fun facts’ is a powerful tool for the retailer and the brand.”

In addition to adding women-owned brands to inventory on online platforms like Drizly, retailers can also see benefits by highlighting these brands on their own websites and social media, or by showcasing products from women-owned brands in promotions. In addition to training staff and hosting in-store tastings, Walberg believes innovative promotions – such as putting drinks in lifestyle window displays or grouping women-owned brands together – can have a huge impact when it comes to selling products from minority-owned brands.

“Cross-merchandising is one exciting and creative way to raise consumer awareness and communicate your support of woman-owned brands,” she says. “It’s all about visibility – and creating visibility in innovative ways. Where you display our product matters just as much as the fact that you have us on your shelves.” 

Currently, Drizly allows brands to self-report their ownership to make it easy for conscious consumers to support women- and minority-owned brands. “The biggest impact retailers can have is to learn about and consider stocking these brands – once they are in their inventory then Drizly has the ability to merchandise these products to consumers,” says Liz Paquette, Drizly’s head of consumer insights.

The list below highlights some of the women-owned drinks brands currently available on Drizly. At BevAlc Insights, we encourage more retailers to carry and promote drinks brands owned by women – not just during Women’s History Month, but all year.

Wölffer Estate

Since 1988, Wölffer Estate has been crafting distinctive wines from their headquarters in Long Island, New York. Best-known for rosé wines – which have come to define summer in the Hamptons – the estate is led today by second-generation vintner Joey Wölffer. Under her leadership, Wölffer is capturing the attention of younger wine consumers with premium wines, plus vibrant packaging and formats that stand out on the shelf.

Yes Way Rosé

Launched in 2013 by two rosé-loving friends, Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir, Yes Way Rosé has taken the rosé category by storm with its high-quality wines designed for everyday enjoyment. “We felt there was an opportunity to create [a wine] for fellow rosé lovers who also share our sense of style and humor,” says Huganir. “We have continuously struck a chord with women and beyond because of the authenticity of what we are doing.” 

PRESS Spiked Seltzer

Launched in 2015 by midwestern mother-of-two Amy Walberg, PRESS spiked seltzers have captivated consumers and competitions with their unique flavors made exclusively from real fruit and spices. “Women engage all of their senses when they buy; we built that understanding into PRESS,” explains Wahlberg. ”Beautiful packaging that is luxurious to the touch matters. Elegant cans that look stunning on a bar or tablescape matter. Subtle, refined culinary flavor profiles matter.”

Koval

Founded by Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart in 2008, Koval is Chicago’s first distillery since the 1800s, producing a range of boutique gins, whiskeys, and specialty spirits using premium organic grains. Hart, whose background lies in academia, believes in a quality-first approach, so Koval’s entire production process — including milling, mashing, distilling, aging, and bottling – happens onsite at their distillery.  

Carmel Road

Founded in 1999, Carmel Road winery makes distinctive wines from Monterey, California. Here, the Pacific Ocean provides consistently cool temperatures ideal for ripening premium wine grapes. Owned by Jackson Family Wines, which is led by Barbara Banke, Carmel Road boasts over 25 years of experience crafting dynamic wines from this unique climate.

Inspiro Tequila

Former Chicago attorney, Mara Smith, sought out to create for a clean, gluten and additive-free tequila with a taste and look that she could share with her friends and family and proudly display on her bar. Inspiro is 100% Blue Weber Agave and confirmed additive-free. The brand’s Rosa Reposado is the first tequila aged in rosé wine barrels. 

Martha Stoumen Wines

Martha Stoumen Wines is a California-based winery with a focus on crafting wines with patience. By focusing on patient farming and winemaking techniques, founder Martha Stoumen believes wines can showcase their terroir with the utmost clarity, in wines that combine excellent flavor while being simultaneously environmentally friendly.

Wyoming Whiskey

Founded by Kate Mead in tandem with Brad Mead, Wyoming Whiskey makes small-batch spirits in the heart of Wyoming ranch country. Using only local grains and controlling the process from mash through aging, Wyoming Whiskey is a women-led leader in the premium spirits sector. 

Skrewball

The San Diego-based team behind Skrewball Whiskey is all about letting standard flavors fall to the wayside in exchange for unique, innovative whiskey. Founded by Brittany Yeng, Skrewball is devoted to exploring alternative flavors and having fun.

Kasama Rum

A seven-year-old rum from the Philippines, Kasama is a unique spirit distilled from fresh sugarcane juice. Launched by Alexandra Dorda, Kasama brings a youthful attitude to the Philippines’ classic spirit, which the team crafts in small batches to produce a unique and flavorful rum.

Onda

Founded by actress Shay Mitchell, Onda is a sparkling, tequila-based seltzer made with premium natural ingredients. In addition to being woman-founded, all of Onda’s tequila comes from a woman-owned and -run distillery.

Lost Coast Brewing

Founded by Barbara Broom over 20 years ago, Lost Coast Brewing began before words like “craft” and “microbrew” were trendy. Based in Eureka, California, the brewery now exports globally and its beers are known for their consistent great taste and vibrant flavors.

Fremont Brewing

Fremont Brewing, located in the heart of Seattle, is on a mission to prove locally sourced and sustainable ingredients make the best beer. Co-founded by Sara Nelson and her husband Matt Lincecum, Fremont has been crafting great beers since 2009.

Fast Penny Spirit

Co-founders Jamie Hunt and Holly Robinson joined forces to create Fast Penny, an American-made amaro crafted with wild-foraged botanicals and premium distillate. In addition to crafting spirits, Fast Penny donates a full three percent of bottle revenue to women in business, community, and the drinks industry. 

OAX Mezcal

Crafted from wild agave plants ranging from 12 to 25 years in age, OAX is a unique, premium mezcal. Co-founder Laura Giraudo and her team bottle each mezcal in a beautiful, collectible bottle offering consumers a spirit to treasure in the glass and while it’s on the bar.

VING Vodka

VING Vodka brands itself as a 100-percent transparent and clean vodka, naturally appealing to health-conscious drinkers. Its unique flavors – including cucumber, kale, and lemon – rely on fresh, organic produce. Creating a spirit aligned with a healthy lifestyle was crucial to founder Flo Vinger, who launched VING to give health-obsessives like herself a better-for-you spirit without compromises.

Boston Harbor Distillery

Founded by Rhonda Kallman in 2012, Boston Harbor Distillery is an inventive distillery located in one of Boston’s oldest mill buildings. Today, Boston Harbor Distillery produces a range of premium spirits including traditional whiskeys, small-batch gin, rum, decadent liqueurs, and distilled Sam Adams beer. 

Splash Mixers

Self-described “serial entrepreneur” Maria Baum launched Splash Mixers to give health-conscious drinkers a delicious alternative to traditional sugary or juice-based cocktail mixers. Today, Splash’s premium, non-alcoholic mixers offer a high-end option to consumers interested in better-for-you brands and non-alcoholic choices.

Square One Vodka

Square One produces certified organic vodka crafted from a 100-percent rye base. Allison Evanow, a spirits industry veteran, founded the brand to provide a premium offering that was delicious and simultaneously environmentally friendly.

Japas Cervejaria

Japas Cervejaria was founded by three women who met over a love of beer. Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno share Japanese-Brazilian heritage and Japas aims to craft unique beers that fuses their Asian and South American cultures with unique flavors.

21 Seeds Tequila

Run by a trio of women, 21 Seeds Tequila is taking center stage with their fresh, natural, infused tequilas. In their quest to craft the perfect tequilas for sipping while giving job opportunities to women, their Mexico-based partner distillery is owned and predominantly staffed by women.  

The Alchemist

Located in Vermont, The Alchemist is behind some of America’s most sought-after, specialty beers, including the legendary Heady Topper. Since 2003, leaders Jen and John Kimmich have been crafting unique, hop-centric beers, which has cultivated an increasingly devoted following for this brewery. A certified B Corp, The Alchemist is also committed to dismantling systemic racism through workplace practices, public policy advocacy, and more.

Austin Cocktails

The powerhouse women behind Austin Cocktails are making it effortless to enjoy a full-strength, craft cocktail without any mixing. Made without any syrups or high-calorie sweeteners, and available in cans and large format bottles, RTD brand Austin Cocktails brings the cocktail bar experience anywhere.

Bev

With the proud slogan “made by chicks,” Bev packs slightly fizzy, deliciously easy-drinking, California wines into go-anywhere cans. Helmed by an all-women team, Bev is grounded in the principle that real, progressive change comes to fruition when men and women work together as equals to reframe the narrative around both women in the industry and women consumers.

Buzzballz

Since 2009, Merilee Kick’s Buzzballz has been producing premium RTD cocktails in over 15 flavors — some wine-based, some spirit-based — and unmistakable spherical packaging. Bottled in recyclable packaging designed to break down in both recycling plants and traditional landfills, Buzzballz appeals to climate-conscious consumers looking for a premium RTD cocktail. 

Fishers Island Lemonade

Since its 2014 founding by Bronya Shillo, Fishers Island Lemonade has been reimagining the spiked lemonade category. Made with all-natural citrus juices and premium spirits, this easy-drinking RTD cocktail has quickly become a summer favorite; it was one of the fastest growing canned beverages on Drizly in 2020.

Freeland Spirits

Kuehler, whose background in agriculture led her to craft distilling in Oregon, was inspired to create Freeland Spirits by both the pioneering women in her family and the terroir behind craft spirits. All of Freeland’s offerings are twists on mainstream classics like gin and bourbon using local ingredients. With women and craft at the forefront — and women running the operation from growing grain to operating stills — this distillery is showing off the delicious potential of the Pacific Northwest.

Lamplighter Brewing Co.

Based in Cambridge, Mass., Lamplighter Brewing Co. is an avant-garde brewery that embraces the forward-thinking and experimental vibes of its zip code, with a focus on great craft beer and innovation. Led by Cayla Marvil, the Lamplighter team has been putting out high-quality beers and supporting social justice initiatives across the Boston area since 2016.

McBride Sisters

The largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S., McBride Sisters is breaking down barriers and crafting delicious wines at the same time. Since 2005, Andréa and Robin — sisters raised separately in California and New Zealand — have been producing impeccable, affordable wines with flair. Their wine collections span their home countries, from the Central Coast to Marlborough, and they also dip a toe into the canned wine category with the SHE CAN dry rosé spritzers.

Uncle Nearest

Founded and led by Fawn Weaver, the first Black woman to run a major whiskey brand, Uncle Nearest Whiskey is the fastest-growing independent, premium American whiskey brand in the U.S. Top-notch sourcing and careful aging of Tennessee whiskies, all filtered through sugar maple charcoal, have made Uncle Nearest beloved by American whiskey lovers.