From courtroom to vineyard, one woman’s journey to prove that excellence has no gender
Courage at the sight of a wound
Lucilda Stewart left law to make wine. She didn’t work for someone else’s winery or learn the ropes first. She went straight into private labelling. Building her own brand from nothing meant convincing winemakers who’d been in the industry for generations to take her seriously.
‘I’ve always looked for a way to make a path my own,’ she says. ‘Law was demanding, but I found my space in it. When I entered wine, I knew I had to do the same. I didn’t want to work for a large, established brand. I wanted to build something that reflected my vision and my standards of excellence.’
Only 17% of winemakers are women. Lucilda walked into those odds knowing exactly what she was up against.
‘The biggest challenge was proving I belonged. I needed to find partners who believed in my vision, who would work alongside me to create something remarkable. Wine that was sophisticated, elegant,
uncompromising in quality.’
Law turned out to be useful in ways she hadn’t expected. Most people find contracts, distributor
agreements and negotiations intimidating. Lucilda already spoke the language.
‘People don’t realise it, but law is everywhere in our daily lives. Every time you buy something, you’re entering into a contract. Understanding that world gave me an edge. I could negotiate, protect my vision, make informed decisions.’
The paperwork was manageable. The real challenge was something bigger.
‘In any male-dominated industry, the hardest thing is making people believe you’re not just passing through. That you’re going to build something lasting. That’s what I had to prove, not just to others but to myself. And I did.’
Building Something Worth Remembering
‘Whatever you do in life, do it well. Create something people will remember, something they’ll want, not just today but for years to come.’
Lucilda approached winemaking the same way she’d approached law: with precision and care.
When she developed Orquida Negra, her Spanish wine, every detail mattered. The name means ‘Black Orchid’, chosen because the flower is rare and makes people pause.
‘Black orchids make you think. I wanted our wines to do the same. A name should intrigue you, just as the first sip should captivate you.’
The label tells its own story. Scottish artist Rick Anderson designed it, incorporating a symbol Lucilda didn’t know was hers: the pelican.
‘Rick told me he wanted to design something inspired by the Stewart Clan. I laughed and said we must be distant cousins because I also have Scottish heritage. Then he revealed the pelican is our clan symbol. I was stunned. You don’t think of pelicans in Scotland, but history suggests Conquistadors brought them over, and they became part of our identity.’
The Stewart Clan motto is ‘Courage at the sight of a wound’. When Lucilda learned this, something clicked. ‘That phrase struck me. Winemaking is about resilience. About entering a world that wasn’t
built for you and proving you belong.’
‘Whatever you do in life, do it well. Create something people will remember, something they’ll want, not just today but for years to come.’
Three points shy of gold.
Lucilda always believed her wines were good. Believing something and having professionals confirm it are different things.
When she suggested entering Orquida Negra into the USA Wine Ratings, her Argentinian winery partner smiled. ‘Lucilda, let’s see what happens.’
‘When the sommeliers started describing my wine as rich and complex, with fig notes and full-bodied depth, I got goosebumps. These were the exact words I’d used. I always thought I was biased. But there they were, industry professionals capturing the essence exactly as I’d hoped.’
Her Malbec earned similar recognition. Judges noted deep plum, ripe red fruit, balanced, lingering finish. Her marketing consultant looked at her: ‘Do you realise what you’ve achieved?’
‘Honestly, in the rush of building something from the ground up, I hadn’t stopped to think about it. Like any mother juggling responsibilities, you just keep moving forward. But at that moment, I paused. I took it in. I felt proud.’
Part of Something Bigger
‘I always say I’m just a small cog in a very large wheel.’
Lucilda speaks with unusual humility for someone who’s built what she’s built. Wine has existed for centuries. Traditions run deep. She’s part of that now.
‘When I started, I was quietly working, researching and learning. Building something before I knew what it would become. Wine is unpredictable. Some years bring extraordinary harvests, others bring challenges. But the industry endures.’
She thinks about wine differently than most people.
‘We share wine with friends over long conversations. We raise glasses at celebrations, at milestones. Even in business meetings that stretch into the evening, wine becomes a bridge. It’s woven into how we connect. That will never change.’
Spanish and Argentinian wines matter to her. They shaped her journey.
‘They have soul, deep-rooted tradition. Even when the industry slows, it finds a way to rise again, just like a good vintage that only gets better with time.’
‘They say wine makes the heart merry,’ she says. ‘A glass in good company brings warmth and ease. Wine is about being present. That’s what it’s always been to me. A way to celebrate life, one glass at a time.’
What She’d Tell Other Women
The wine industry is male-dominated. Lucilda won’t pretend otherwise.
‘If you’re a woman looking to break into wine, be determined. Stay focused. The road won’t be easy. You’ll face setbacks, you’ll doubt yourself, you’ll battle impostor syndrome more times than you can count. Don’t let that stop you.’
Training doesn’t make the doubt go away.
‘You could take every wine course available and still feel like you don’t belong. Don’t listen to that voice. Keep going. Keep learning. Keep pushing forward.’
Lucilda had family support. She knows not everyone does.
‘I’m fortunate. I have an incredible family who’s always stood by me. But not everyone has that. So if you don’t, build your own circle. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, who see your potential. There will always be critics, always be naysayers. You have to tune them out and press forward anyway.’
She keeps it simple:
‘Stay single-minded. Keep your goal in front of you and never stop reaching for it. The journey may be difficult, but when you get there, it will be worth every step.’
Whatever you do, do it with passion. Do it with integrity. And do it in a way that lifts others up with you.
Closing the Gender Gap
Lucilda has clear views on how women should approach male-dominated industries.
‘There’s no need to diminish men to elevate ourselves. This is a partnership. The greatest
impact we have is when we move forward with grace, integrity, compassion and strength.’
She builds bridges.
‘Real leadership is bringing out the best in everyone around you. Standing firmly in your own worth while respecting the value others bring. That’s what lasts. That’s what creates real change.’
The World Economic Forum suggests it could take over two centuries to close the gender pay gap. Lucilda doesn’t find that statistic particularly useful.
‘What can we do now? How can we move that timeline forward? I don’t have two centuries. None of us do. But we have today, and what we do today shapes what comes next.’
She leads by adding value.
‘I didn’t come into this industry to fight against men. I came to contribute, to create, to bring something new. When you add value, when you bring excellence, you naturally shift the space around you. You inspire change by demonstrating what’s possible.’
A Toast To Soloman
If Lucilda could share a glass with anyone in history, she’d choose King Solomon.
‘Solomon. Without a doubt.
Thousands of years ago, he wrote: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; do not be deceived by it.” Everything in moderation.’ She laughs at the thought. ‘I’d clink my glass with him and say, “Bro, you are so right.”‘
Wine has been part of human history for millennia. At the centre of celebrations, at the tables of kings, in the hands of poets and philosophers.
‘Like anything in life, wine is about how you approach it. Respect it, savour it, enjoy it, but never let it control you.’
A conversation with Solomon over a beautifully crafted glass? Wisdom and wine, history and legacy, knowledge and joy.
What Makes Wine Different
Lucilda remains fascinated by the craft itself.
‘Before I entered the industry, I’d taste different wines and think, “This one tastes different from that one.” But I never really knew why.’
Most people know red wines come from red grapes, white wines from white grapes. What makes each wine unique is everything else.
‘The way grapes are grown, the soil, the climate, the ageing. Every single element shapes the wine. Two vineyards can grow the same grape, yet their wines taste completely different. That’s magical to me.’
Younger consumers want to understand what they’re drinking. They ask questions about sustainability, about process, about origin.
‘Sustainability is a priority now. Young people care about the balance between the environment and the final product. As winemakers, we have a responsibility to show that great wine can be made
without harming the planet.’
Education doesn’t need to be complicated.
‘People don’t need a PhD in winemaking. They just want to know the heart of it. They want the story behind the bottle. When they hear it, they enjoy the wine more because wine becomes an experience. A connection.’
