Short summary
Vinissima Frauen & Wein e.V., the German network for women in wine, runs a digital event series on #MeToo experiences in the wine sector, creating space for shared experiences, expert input and strategies against sexism and sexualised violence.
Description
The #MeToo event series is an initiative of Vinissima Frauen & Wein e.V., Germany’s nationwide professional network for women in the wine sector, founded in 1991 and today counting more than 650 members organised in 13 regional groups. The series was triggered by survey results indicating that around one third of women in the wine sector, and close to two thirds of younger respondents, have experienced sexual harassment in a professional context. Through digital, low-threshold events, Vinissima brings together winemakers, sommelières, wine traders, journalists, scientists and other professionals to discuss sexism, harassment and sexualised violence in their industry. Sessions combine expert input (e.g. with lawyers specialised in labour and anti-discrimination law) with peer exchange formats, helping participants name problematic behaviour, identify response options and develop collective strategies for cultural change in wineries, wine trade and hospitality.
Why this matters for Grapes of Change
The series is directly relevant for Grapes of Change because it addresses gender-based violence and harassment specifically within the wine sector, from the perspective of women working across the supply chain. It contributes to women’s empowerment by breaking the silence around sexism and harassment, providing legal and practical orientation, and strengthening a peer network that members can rely on. The format is sector-specific, low-cost and digital, which makes it highly replicable across other European wine regions and adjacent sectors. The combination of a professional network as the carrier organisation and an explicit #MeToo focus is rare in the European wine context and offers a strong reference point for the Observatory of GBV in the wine industry.
Lessons learned
A women-led professional network such as Vinissima could function as a relevant carrier for sector-specific GBV awareness work, since trust among members may be a precondition for openly addressing harassment. A digital format might lower thresholds in terms of geography and time, although in-person follow-up could still be necessary for more sensitive conversations. Where lived-experience formats are combined with expert input (e.g. legal or organisational), the discussion could move beyond individual stories and link to concrete options for action. Areas that might benefit from further development could include systematic documentation of outcomes, broader engagement of employers and male colleagues, and a possible translation of awareness work into more binding instruments such as codes of conduct or complaint mechanisms at the level of wineries and industry associations. A fuller assessment would require evaluation data that is currently not publicly available.