Honoring Women in Wine:
Lu on never giving up, learning from mistakes, moving forward, and striving to do better
Interviewed by Elizabeth Smith
“I began making wine amateurishly in New York after that fateful trip to Australia, which inspired me to delve deeper into this field”
1. How did you get your start in wine?
I became an enthusiastic wine taster while working in the banking industry 12 years ago. During a trip to Australia to visit wineries with a friend, he encouraged me to change my career to winemaking.
I began making wine amateurishly in New York after that fateful trip to Australia, which inspired me to delve deeper into this field. After two years, I went to Melbourne, Australia to study winemaking. I have worked as a winemaker ever since.
2. Where are you in your career now?
I am extremely fortunate to have my brand with Naked Wines as a winemaker. I am also an assistant winemaker in a midsize custom crush winery.
3. How do Naked Angels empower you as a winemaker?
Because of the Angels’ support, my vision and passion for winemaking came to fruition.
4. What’s a BIG lesson you’ve learned along the way?
Never give up, learn from your mistakes, move forward, and always strive to do better.
5. What’s the message you have for other women winemakers?
Stand up yourself and always learn from others.
6. What is your big hope for women in wine in the future?
I hope to see more women choose winemaking or viticulture as their career.
Lastly – is there a women’s empowerment organization or cause you support or would like to?
I would like to support a woman’s empowerment organization to be a voice for women in male-dominated industries.
Follow Yian Lu on Naked Wines
Elizabeth Smith is a freelance wine, food, and travel journalist as well as a communications and social media specialist based in the Napa Valley.