PAST PROGRAMS
Wines We Love & HOW TO SHARE THEM
MONDAY, MARCH 28TH
3PM PST / 6PM EST
We decide we love a wine – now what? How do we share it? We all work hard to taste professionally and fairly, to make quality calls. How do we decide on the right track for a specific wine, making it accessible, and to whom? Madeline Triffon has selected three wines she loves. She’ll describe each wine as we taste it, provide background on the women winemakers and turn to our panelists to weigh in: what’s the best way to utilize a wine of this type, how to make it come alive in the market and in our businesses, so that it touches both the trade and consumers?
We’ve brought together a roundtable of industry friends to think this out together. Join us for a virtual tasting and panel discussion!
Waves of Change
Celebrating Women’s History Month
MONDAY, MARCH 21ST
6AM HT / 9AM PST / 12PM EST
A rising tide of uncertainty is swirling around the wine industry with threats of: declining consumption, lack of inclusion, scandal and the “alleged” inability to connect with the Millennial and Gen Z consumer. This storm of events has unleashed a tidal wave of passion and energy within the next generation of leaders in our industry. These leaders are determined to turn this ship around and create positive change and opportunity for all, while simultaneously growing the industry and helping the bottom line. Their quest? The rising tide floats all boats and they have found success by lifting others.
We invite you to hear the stories of how they have been inspired and the change they are committed to making. May you leave inspired to do the same.
Vision Boarding Workshop
Dream it, see it, achieve it!
SUNDAY, January 16th 10-11:30am PST/ 1-2:30pm EST
Are you addicted to your future? Do you want success in you personal and professional life? Are you ready to transform your future, and channel all your energy into achieving what you want? Join us for an action packed 90 minute workshop where you will and be inspired by two of our favorite vision boarders, create YOUR own board, all while being surrounded by our Dream Big Darling community.
Special Guests and avid “Boarders”: Cha McCoy and Jayne Portnoy Led by: Amanda Higgins, Dream Big Darling
FLOURISH SCHOLARSHIP
Personalized coaching opportunity
APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 16, 2021
The Millinger Group & Dream Big Darling have partnered up to provide a collaborative scholarship opportunity for emerging women leaders in the wine and spirits industry.
A total of five “FLOurish Scholarships” will be awarded, with each recipient gaining full-ride access to FLOurish, a new professional development program that includes personalized coaching and personality assessments by Rona Millinger, founder and president of The Millinger Group.
DEVELOPING POWER & PURPOSE
All you need is your pen and paper.
MAY 20th at 4PM PST VIA ZOOM
Join us on May 20th at 4pm pm to discover how to use this powerful and purposeful process to allow your dreams to become achievements. This one hour, virtual Pen2Paper Project workshop is being co-hosted by Dream Big Darling. Not a writer? No worries! This workshop is designed to help you apply practical tools to a busy lifestyle and to find joy in getting pen to paper.
WOMEN IN WINE COLLABORATIVE TASTING
We are excited to partner with 3 woman-led producers from the NEW WORLD and Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, for a Women in Wine Collaborative Virtual Tasting Event! The session has been inspired by Women's History Month.
Date: March 30th 2021
Time: 4pm PST/ 7pm EST
Apply to be considered for a scholarship kit and an access code!
FEATURING: Madeline Triffon, M.S. is a legend in the world of wine as the ninth American to pass the Master Sommelier exam and the first American woman to become a Master Sommelier.
Virginia Willcock, Chief Winemaker of Vasse Felix in Margaret River is one of the most awarded winemakers in Australia.
Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation vintner and managing director at Bodega Catena Zapata from Mendoza, Argentina.
Amanda Wittstrom Higgins is a Paso Robles native, Founder of Dream Big Darling, and the second-generation of the Ancient Peaks ownership family.
The discussion will be on each region’s terroir – which are fast becoming classics – and providing insights into the characteristics that make them unique.
In addition to the virtual panel, a limited amount of tasting kits, curated by Master the World, will be provided free of charge, (kits are valued at $150 each). Kits will include 6 wines: 2 wines from each producer including some of their most coveted wines.
To be considered, please complete questionnaire by 3.12.21
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY TO CENTRAL COAST INSIGHTS
Wine Business Monthly and Dream Big Darling Offer New Round of Scholarships to Central Coast Insights
Wine Business Monthly and Dream Big Darling are excited to continue their partnership to offer multiple scholarship opportunities to qualified up-and-coming women interested in pursuing further education on the business of wine.
The scholarship includes a full-access pass to the fully digital Central Coast Insights conference, an economics-, finance- and strategy-minded forum for those in the regional wine and wine business industries. Central Coast Insights will bring experts in the winery business and finance, distribution and retail sectors together to discuss new ways to grow and move forward.
Those interested in applying for the Wine Business Executive Scholarship must fill out a questionnaire and submit a résumé by March 12, 2021 to be considered. Those eligible for the scholarship include women who are interested in pursuing a business- or finance-minded career track within the wine industry and are eager to further their wine educations. Scholarship winners will be announced on March 19, 2021.
BLIND TASTING WITH M.S. MADELINE TRIFFON
JANUARY 27, 2021
AT 3:00pm - 4:15PM PST
Dream Big Darling recently hosted a special event featuring our dear friend Madeline Triffon, MS. We partnered with Master the World to offer a blind tasting kit that featured 6 wines (3 whites and 3 reds) from around the world.
This 75 minute virtual session focuses on quality and how to recognize it. Offering is only available to friends of Dream Big Darling.
If you missed it or would like to revisit it,
CREATING A WINNING CULTURE
NOVEMBER 17TH, 2020
at 2pm pst
Success—in business and in life—always starts with a winning culture. On that note, please join us as we host our free “Creating a Winning Culture” seminar with two HR rock stars, Sandra Dickerson, Esq. and Lynn Fernbaugh, on November 17 at 2 p.m. The discussion will include eliminating workplace harassment; and heightening employee engagement and performance; and much more with a Q&A to follow. If your organization is in it to win it, you will not want to miss this seminar.
We are excited to announce our 3rd annual Dream Big Darling Auction! Our annual event allows us to operate throughout the year and provide rich experiences to the next generation of women in our industry.
This year, the Dream Big Darling auction will be held VIRTUALLY. The online auction will OPEN November 6th and CLOSE on November 8th. All items can be viewed during this time.
We hope you will join us and we thank you for believing in our dream of creating change within our industry!
2020 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP RETREAT
October 22-23, 2020
The Dream Big Darling Leadership Retreat is a multi-day VIRTUAL experience featuring notable speakers, workshops, networking and more—all with the goal of fostering professional development and career opportunities in the wine and spirits industry. The intent is to make a difference for qualified women seeking professional direction, inspiration and insight. The retreat will be an intimate group (30-40 attendees) geared towards one on one interaction and small group activities.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Wine Business Executive Scholarship
The scholarship includes a full-access pass to the first-ever digital Central Coast Insights conference, an economics-, finance- and strategy-minded forum for those in the regional wine and wine business industries. Central Coast Insights will bring experts in the winery business and finance, distribution, retail and restaurant sectors together to discuss new ways to grow and move forward.
Scholarship winners will be announced on Aug. 14, 2020.
Seven-Week “Ready. Set. Grow” Series
Features Keynote Speakers, Timely Topics and Q&A Sessions
The seven-week mentorship series aimed at maximizing career growth for up and coming women in the wine and spirits industry. Under the banner of “Ready, Set, Grow,” the free series will be broadcast live via Zoom every Wednesday at 4 p.m. PST for the next seven weeks starting on June 3. Each Zoom session will feature a 30-minute topical presentation by a keynote speaker, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session.
Dream Big Darling’s “Ready, Set, Grow” series is accordingly designed to provide practical and timely insights for professional development, personal success and career advancement. Each session features luminaries who will share their expertise across a variety of topics pertaining to the wine and spirits industry. Collectively, these sessions aim to impart a fully rounded set of insights and skills.
Wine Speak Scholarship
JANUARY 14-16, 2020
Dream Big Darling partnered with Wine Speak Paso Robles to offer 6 FULL RIDE scholarships to the 2020 event! Our scholarship recipients were up and coming female sommeliers interested in expanding their knowledge and experience.
Annual Dream Big Darling Dinner
OCTOBER 25, 2019
An incredible assortment of wines and cocktails paired with a 5 course meal, prepared by local Chef Jeffery Scott. The evening included a live auction and performance by vocalists Hilary and Kate.
Proceeds benefited the Dream Big Darling Foundation’s mission to mentor up-and-coming women in the industry.
Annual Dream Big Darling Leadership Retreat
SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2019
The Dream Big Darling Leadership Retreat is a multi-day experience September 15-17 2019 featuring notable speakers, workshops, adventure, networking and more—all with the goal of fostering professional development and career opportunities in the wine and spirits industry.
Wine Speak Paso Robles
JANUARY 7-10, 2019
Wine Speak Paso Robles is a premier industry summit that brings sommeliers, wine industry leaders and hospitality professionals together for an intimate educational journey.
Join master sommelier Chuck Furuya and his peers as they steer winemaker seminars, hospitality workshops, dinners, tastings and exclusive vineyard excursions—all designed to advance collaboration, knowledge and performance throughout the wine industry.
Annual “Dream Big” Dinner,
Auction & Concert
OCTOBER 19, 2018
The inaugural Dream Big Darling Dinner, Auction & Concert lived up to its name at the October 19th event, raising more than $100,000 for Dream
Big Darling. Held at the Santa Margarita Ranch in Paso Robles wine country, the event was attended by 175 guests and was punctuated with a lively auction featuring a remarkable roster of auction items. The evening featured an all-star cast of women-led wineries; a menu inspired by Julia Child; dinner crafted by The Range restaurant; and live music by Hilary & Kate. Our team was absolutely overwhelmed by the response we received from all who attended and we look forward making a big difference!
First Dream Big Darling Concert on the Ranch
AUGUST 4, 2018
August’s “Concert on the Ranch” served as the first official fundraising effort for Dream Big Darling and the event went off with a bang! The warm summer evening was filled with great music performed by a local band, The Mother Corn Shuckers, as well as authentic Mexican food served by Los Robles Cafe. Several community members were able to attend the event which was held at the beautiful Oyster Ridge event venue located in Santa Margarita. The fundraising efforts were a success and fun was had by all!