(Originally published March 5, 2020. Updated March 8, 2023.)
Women make invaluable contributions to so many of Canada’s distilleries, we couldn’t possibly list them all here. But here are some of the women distillers, distillery owners and leaders who are helping to make the artisan scene more vibrant and diverse.
Alberta: Caitlin Quinn, Eau Claire Distillery; Julia Le, The Fort Distillery; Jo-Ann Keller, Rig Hand Distillery; Bronwyn Petersen, Greenwood Distillers, Pheelan Mah, Confluence Distilling; Shayna Hansen, Hansen Distillery; Kristina Craig, Dark Sky Distillery; Alana Braaten, Hawke Prohibition Distilleries; Heather Hare Greidanus, Grey Dog Distilling; Susan Ransom, Krang Spirits.
British Columbia: Jill Rutherford, Fernie Distillers; Shelly Heppner, Bespoke Spirits House; Lisa Simpson, The Liberty Distillery; Laura Carbonell, Wayward Distillery; Sonia Martinez, Erica Macasso, Wiseacre Farm Distillery; Jenna Diubaldo, Sons of Vancouver; Ashley Hodgson and Julia Skolnik, Kootenay West Distilling; Sherry Jiang, Dragon Mist; Rebecca Crowley, Roots and Wings Distillery; Jessica Schacht, Ampersand Distilling; Jennifer Kom-Tong, Copperpenny Distilling, Danise Lofstrom, Bruinwood Estate Distillery, Kala Hadfield, Spinnakers; Martha Stewart, True North Distilleries; Candice Kabantsov, Copper Spirit Distilling.
Saskatchewan: Charmaine Styles, Outlaw Trail Spirits; Meredith Schmidt, Last Mountain Distillery; Lacey Crocker, Lucky Bastard Distillers.
Ontario: Martha Lowry, Mill Street Distillery; Jackie DeMarco, Kavi Reserve; Barb Matchett, Black’s Distillery; Laura Bradley, King’s Lock Craft Distillery; Katherine Vellinga, Zirkova Vodka; Lisa Townsend, Silver Fox Distillery; Jessica Chester, Laneway Distillers; Aislin Henrickson, Wolfhead Distillery.
Quebec: Isabel Rochette, Cirka Distilleries; Mireille Morin, Rheault Distillery; Mysa Payeur, La Vallée Bleue Distillerie; Diane Roy, Distillerie Fils du Roy.
Nova Scotia: Lynne MacKay, Ironworks Distillery; Miranda Parker, Compass Distillers; Jill Linquist, Raging Crow Distillery, Jaime Landry; Black Harbour Distillers.
Who have we missed? Drop us a note and keep us up to date!