Honoring Women in Spirits, Today and Every Day
From Left to Right: Stephanie Campanaro - Distillery Operations Specialist, Lara Doolan - Guest Experience Manager, Brandi Saldivar - Retail Store Manager, Zoe McDaniel - Wholesale Director, Shelly Silverio - Events Coordinator, Dana DeToro - Statewide On-Premise Manager, Amanda Olivero - Marketing Director
St. Augustine Distillery is proud to honor International Women’s Day by identifying gender gaps and opportunities for equitable outcomes in the spirits industry.
Every time you take a sip of spirits, you’re participating in a 6,000 year tradition that began with women. In Ancient Mesopotamia, women created the first beer-like beverage by fermenting barley in large jugs. That process has been honed and refined for millennia, and today is essentially the same process that forms the base of our award-winning Florida Straight Bourbon (though we’ve picked up a few tricks along the way!)
Women have remained at the forefront of the world of spirits since those ancient times. They introduced gin to England, helped invent Japanese whiskey, and kept speakeasies full during American prohibition. And, just like their male counterparts, they have developed a taste for spirits of all kinds. According to a recent poll, women now account for 35% of whiskey drinkers in the United States and United Kingdom, dispelling many preconceived notions about the spirit and who enjoys it.
The Spirit of Florida is not only our trademark but our commitment to creating authentic spirits that represent everything we love about our home state. That means using local agriculture wherever possible to make the best possible spirits we can, and it also means fostering equality and representation at every turn. In honor of International Women’s Day, here’s how we plan to honor the women on our team, in our industry, and in our community every day.
Celebrating the Women on our Team
The Spirit of Florida® would not exist without the dedicated and talented women on our team. From bottling to marketing to finance, we’re proud to watch our colleagues become leaders in this exciting industry, and we’re so grateful not only for their contributions, but for their presence in our lives.
Over the coming months, we’ll be introducing our fans to the women who bring St. Augustine Distillery to life. Through profiles, videos, or other content, we’re excited to offer a glimpse into day-to-day operations, as well as the personal lives and interests of our colleagues. We can’t wait for you to meet this integral part of our family, and we hope it inspires more distilleries and businesses to celebrate the women on their team all year round!
Legacy & Education
St. Augustine Distillery is proud to support women leaders in the spirits industry, and we have been incredibly fortunate to receive guidance on our award-winning spirits and distillery from a number of legends, including the following:
Peggy Noe Stevens
Louisville, KY
Peggy has done it all when it comes to spirits: she’s the world’s first female Master Bourbon Taster, the founder of Bourbon Women, and an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience. She has worked with some of the world’s most famous whiskey brands including Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, and Southern Comfort, and founded Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates in 2008 where she advises and consults the world’s top brands on their guest experience.
Nancy Fraley
Berkeley, CA
Nancy’s nose isn’t just part of her body: it’s her livelihood! She calls herself a professional “nose” and even founded Nosing Services LLC, a company dedicated to product quality control and spirit education.
She’s also a master blender of whiskey & rum, and has worked with famous distilleries both domestic and international.
Marianne Eaves
Louisville, KY
A bourbon legend, Marianne has dedicated her life to her home state’s favorite spirit. She became the first female Master Distiller at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY, and has been recognized by the likes of Forbes and Wine Enthusiast for her talents. She currently serves as a bourbon consultant and ambassador specializing in product quality, and tours the nation educating distillers and consumers on the finer nuances of bourbon.
Maggie Campbell
St. Lucy, Barbados
Maggie has worked in the spirits industry for more than a decade, and has amassed a truly impressive skill set, including production, innovation, distribution, marketing, and quality control.
Currently, she serves as the Estate Rum Manager for the iconic Mount Gay Rum brand in Barbados.
In the coming months, we look forward to sharing in-depth Q&A sessions with female industry legends to further highlight their important work in the world of craft spirits. Alongside consulting with industry icons, St. Augustine Distillery proudly offers our team the opportunity to become Bourbon Stewards. Similar to a wine sommelier, bourbon stewards are trained in proper tasting techniques as well as recognizing complex flavors within each spirit. This class is offered several times a year to any team member, regardless of gender identity, interested in furthering their spirits education.
One of the core missions of St. Augustine Distillery is to provide spirits education to those in our community who wish to learn more. In the coming months, we will offer cocktail tastings, VIP Tours, and specialty classes, some of which will be curated and designed specifically for women. We are also working with a nationally recognized women’s spirits organization to create a Florida chapter, which will provide educational experiences across the state. Stay tuned for more information!
