JANE DE WITT
Operations Winemaker North Island - Lion
She is New Zealand’s most awarded sparkling winemaker – but there was a time when Jane De Witt’s sights were set on a vet’s practice rather than a vineyard. After a series of twists and turns, however, and thanks to the influence of a university professor, the Microbiology graduate found herself signing up for a post-grad in Oenology and Viticulture.
To be fair, wine had always been a part of her life. It had been “ever present” at family dinners, plus there were trips out to West Auckland “where my parents would purchase their wine direct from the winery and I would experience the joys of a tank farm, running around, and shouting into empty tanks.”
Her post-grad completed, De Witt landed her first full time wine job – lab technician for Corbans Wines, progressing after a few years to cellar manager. It was here that she first became involved with sparkling wine: Amadeus, Verde, Robard & Butler Cuvee and Diva Cuvee. Then when Montana bought Corbans, she joined Montana and within a few years was looking after Lindauer, Deutz, Verde and Montana Sparkling.
“I find the evolution and intricacies of creating a sparkling wine exciting and deeply rewarding. The blending process is both timeconsuming and satisfying. I get to use both science and my creative side, which I love; it ticks both boxes.
“The secret to great sparkling wine is the time the wine spends on yeast lees after secondary fermentation (time entirage). It takes time for the yeast to break down and for the flavour, mouthfeel and texture of the wine to evolve. The evolution never fails to amaze and inspire me; blending wine and getting it just right for bottling is sometimes like crystal ball gazing. It takes two-plus years before sparkling wine is bottled.”
If you’re thinking ‘bubbles’ is primarily a female tipple… well, you’d be right, says De
Witt. “Women drink more sparkling wine than men, and this hasn’t really changed over time. Women tend to drink bubbles at any occasion, often to celebrate each other’s successes, to toast achievements and when we’re having a catchup.” Women are also getting savvier, trading up to more premium sparkling wines.
“In response we have just recently released a Lindauer Vintage Series Limited Edition
Brut Cuvée 2016. The wine (refined elegant white flowers, creamy with citrus sorbet) and beautiful packaging have been aimed at the female consumer, for girly catch-ups, moments of bonding, and relaxing.”
And on the production side of the equation, women are far better represented than when De Witt started out. “I was on the management team at Corbans (years ago) where I was the only woman; today it is even.
“I’ve tended to have had good experiences as I’ve worked for great companies. When I started
in the industry it was very male dominated; however, everyone was very supportive. Lion encourages their employees to be the best they can be. They have introduced a Women at
Lion programme to encourage diversity (Lion have a 50:50 target; it’s currently at 42 per cent). They’ve also closed the gender pay gap, winning [the 2017 YWCA] Equal Pay Awards. However, as in the majority of companies in New Zealand, the top roles are held by men.” For more Women in Wine see dish.co.nz