City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More
Photo by Robert Miller, courtesy of MacArthur Place

Featured Article

Wine About It

Toasting to Women in Wine: Girls' Getaway to Sonoma’s Women-Led Wineries

Article by Sophie Brock

Photography by Provided by Chalk Hill, Chateau St. Jean, and MacArthur Place Hotel & Place

Originally published in Brentwood Lifestyle

Despite the fact that women make up a vast majority of wine consumers, only 12-14% of winemakers globally are women. Companies like Foley Family Wines & Spirits are not only aware of this statistic but are actively working to shift the narrative by supporting and promoting women in key leadership and winemaking roles.

What better way to celebrate the incredible women shaping the future of wine than by planning a girls’ getaway to wine country? Whether toasting to friendship or just in need of a weekend escape, this itinerary is the perfect way to experience the best of wine country while visiting women-led wineries. From immersive tasting experiences with female winemakers to a much-needed spa day at the hotel, every stop is a celebration of talent, passion, and perseverance of women in wine.

Grab your girlfriends and raise a glass to sisterhood and sustainability - this wine country girls’ trip is one you’ll never forget.

Where to Stay - MacArthur Place Hotel & Place: 

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa is an award-winning, luxurious, boutique resort nestled in the heart of Sonoma, California. Sitting on six acres of intimate gardens, winding flagstone paths, verdant archways, fire pits, secret nooks, and verdant tree canopies, it’s the perfect place to unwind, reconnect, and indulge during a girls' trip to wine country.

Offering spa treatments, high-end dining, and easy access to some of the region’s best women-led wineries, MacArthur Place creates an unforgettable setting for relaxation, celebration, and meaningful connection. Making it the ultimate home base for a girls' trip filled with wine, wellness, and lasting memories.

The resort is also located within walking distance of the Sonoma Plaza, making it easy to venture off-site, whether on foot or by bike, to explore the charm of downtown Sonoma, its local shops, tasting rooms, and small businesses.

Where to Drink - Belle Terre Tasting Experience at Chateau St. Jean:

No girls’ trip to wine country is complete without an unforgettable tasting experience. What better place to start than with the Belle Terre tasting experience at Chateau St.Jean, a winery that’s a shining example of Foley Family Wines & Spirits’ commitment to uplifting women in the wine industry. 

This stunning estate offers more than breathtaking views and delicious wines. It symbolizes progress, inclusion, and passion. Guests can sip their way through a curated selection of wines while celebrating the women who help bring them to life, both in the vineyard and behind the scenes.

“Our consumers are oftentimes women,” Mari Wells Coyle, the VP of Winemaking of Foley Family Wines & Spirits, says. “Our coworkers and colleagues are women. A much higher percentage of women are working in the laboratories. Working in an environment like Foley Family, where it's led by Bill's daughter, Courtney, and for her to understand and see the capabilities of the women around her. We certainly have a very large percentage of women in leadership positions, and over 50% of our winemaking team is also women.”

In 2025, Foley Family Wines & Spirits launched their Women in Wine Scholarship Fund, which was awarded in partnership with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas at Chateau St.Jean during the CMS - A Women’s Sommelier Symposium. The $10,000 fund was distributed among ten female sommeliers selected to attend the Symposium, which was held for the first time in Sonoma County, California.

“The Foley family is so committed to women in leadership, and, you know, we are members of the Women for Wine and Spirits organization,” Mari says. “Then this year, for the first time, we launched our women's scholarship. It's just incredible to see that we're investing in the younger generation, the next generation of women in wine, and to see the response, you know, from the candidates, was really, really, really special. I mean, there were a lot of tears, and I think it's just an amazing commitment that Courtney is making to ensure that, you know, we are welcoming women in our industry.”

This scholarship covers the cost of the Advanced Sommelier Practical & Tasting Examination, or one of the segments of the three-part Master Sommelier Examination.

“I think it's just like a lot of industries where maybe at one time, most of the leadership positions were primarily men,” Mari says. “But now, we understand, we learned from other women before us, what it takes to lead teams, and go after the positions that you're most interested in, and my passion is to help develop other women in the wine industry.”

Where to Drink - Chalk Hill Vineyard Overlook with Cheese & Charcuterie:

After sipping your way through Chateau St. Jean, continue your wine country journey by stopping at Chalk Hill Estate, another standout in the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio. Nestled in the hills of Sonoma County, this scenic estate offers a truly elevated tasting experience. Enjoy one-of-a-kind views while savoring expertly paired wines with a curated cheese and charcuterie board.

But this experience is about more than just stunning views and world-class wine.  With a winemaking team that includes talented women in key roles, Chalk Hill is a perfect example of the Foley Family’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Even more impressive, both Chalk Hill and Chateau St. Jean – along with every winery in the Foley Family Wines & Spirits portfolio – are proudly certified sustainable. Soak in the sun, sip with purpose, and toast to the ambitious women shaping the future of wine, one glass at a time.

Where to Eat - Dinner at Layla:

Indulge in a luxurious dining experience just steps from your room at MacArthur Place, with no need to leave the comfort and elegance of the hotel grounds, thanks to their on-site restaurant, Layla, which is led by Executive Chef Eric Piacentine.

Layla features a range of simple, fresh, healthy options in addition to richer, more indulgent fare. Seasonal farm-fresh ingredients, colorful wild garnishes, and custom ceramic plateware reinforce the warm, convivial ambience of the restaurant.

From the perfect morning pick-me-up to a savory, unforgettable dinner, Layla offers a full range of dining options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Whether you’re seeking a casual bite or a fine dining experience, Layla’s inviting atmosphere and seasonal offerings provide the perfect setting for every occasion throughout the day.

Where to Relax - 50-Minute Rapid Recovery Treatment at The Spa at MacArthur:

Nestled in the heart of MacArthur Place’s fragrant gardens, The Spa at MacArthur offers a unique array of treatments based on the fruits, flowers, and herbs grown in the property’s gardens. 

Guests can indulge in massages, facials, and body treatments designed to rejuvenate and relax. Their 50-minute Rapid Recovery Treatment was specifically designed to destress and relieve sore muscles with therapeutic bodywork and stretching, and also includes targeted LED light therapy to address areas of inflammation. 

Wine country has always been a place to slow down, savor, and connect. However, this itinerary highlights the passion, progress, and purpose of a more inclusive wine industry. As you head home feeling refreshed, you’ll leave with more than just great memories, you’ll also leave with the stories of the women behind each pour.

ffws.com

macarthurplace.com

"My passion is to help develop other women in the wine industry.”

“The Foley family is so committed to women in leadership."