Today we’d love to introduce you to another inspiring and energetic woman in wine that’s worth watching: Zoë Ladyman, Domestic and International Sales Manager for Akarua Wines in Central Otago.
Find out more about her role and love affair with wine in the following Q&A:
What does a typical working day look like for you?
So varied! Lots of talking, tasting and spreading the good word of Akarua – whether I’m hosting visitors to the winery, out in our local region visiting our restaurant and retail customers; away in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch working with our local distributor, or off overseas visiting our importers and buyers.
Or I could be at my desk managing my budgets, forecasts and inbox…
When and why did you fall in love with wine?
When I first moved to Melbourne when I was 22 (I was born in Perth), got a waitressing job at a wonderful restaurant with a rich wine culture, started to learn about food and wine matching and took some courses with the Australian Sommelier’s Association – I fell straight down the rabbit hole and I’ve been falling ever since.
If you were a wine, what wine would you be?
Really depends on the mood I’m in, the people I’m with, and what I’m eating. Today I’m Cru Beaujolais – let’s call it 2017 Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie.
What’s your go-to wine at the moment?
Textural savoury whites and bright, crunchy reds. We’ve just released a single vineyard pinot noir from our 25 steps vineyard in Pisa – I’ve been enjoying that a lot lately!
Share a fact about yourself that only a few know
I half completed a physiotherapy degree – I dropped out before they could fail me. I did pass the massage component!
Things you still want to do – what’s on your bucket list?
Gosh so many things, join a choir, travel to all the tennis grand slams in a year, get dropped off by a helicopter at the top of a mountain and snowboard down, eat at Per Se in NYC, watch my children get married, hike the Routeburn…
Dead or alive, who would you like to share a glass of vino with?
Celeste Barber
Find out more about Zoë’s work at Akarua here and make sure you follow them on Instagram | Facebook & Twitter.
