Venus Vinifera to provide a safe space for women to discuss drinks

Now the manager of Aubergine restaurant, she's always been interested in the drinks side of the business, always looking for ways to learn more about wine and spirits. Last year some friends in Sydney invited her to a Women and Revolution meeting, an inclusive network for women in the wine industry and a seed was planted.

Now Baker, along with several other diverse hospitality professionals, has launched Canberra's own Venus Vinifera, a community where women - including those who are female-identifying, non-binary and have trans experience/history - can come together and learn more about drinks.

"I never felt that I had a group of mentors or a community, like me, in the drinks industry when I was first starting out in hospitality," Baker said.

"I realised in order to give back, I really wanted to set something up for the next generation of women coming through the industry."

While the group has been meeting informally, the group ramped things up with a successful launch party on April 10, and the website is up and running with classes, talks and workshops being scheduled throughout the year.

Jenny Polack, also known as The Wine Whitch, will be running a champagne masterclass, and "What the F is a digestif?" sounds like an interesting workshop. Visits to local wineries are also planned.

"We really want the group to be a safe space," she says.

"As a woman it can often be hard for your voice to be heard in a room full of men and the drinks industry is dominated by men. We just want to provide a space where people can feel comfortable to ask questions and learn, it's definitely a judgment free zone."

Baker is keen to point out the group is not just for hospitality professionals, many members of the group just share an interest in drinks and want to learn more about them.

"We're from all different walks of life, bar managers, sales professionals, but we also have lots of members from outside our world, accountants, lawyers, public servants."

Baker says the industry has changed so much in recent years.

"Here in Canberra people are eating better, drinking better, they want to know where the produce comes from, where the wine comes from," she says.

"For people outside the industry, discussions like this can lead to an even broader appreciation of what's happening in the scene."

A small membership fee will cover access to a members-only platform on the site, which will include additional educational resources and a forum where women can connect and find mentors.

"I am so proud of what we have created so far," she says.

"The general confidence and thirst for knowledge that has grown in these women excites me and I cannot wait to see how VV helps so many women have successful careers in the industry."