Sandrine Garbay

With a degree from the Bordeaux Institute of Oenology, Sandrine Garbay earned the admiration of her peers by climbing the ranks to become cellarmaster at Château d’Yquem, a superior producer of sweet white wines. While she witnesses more women entering the profession—a dozen women are currently cellarmasters in Bordeaux—Sandrine Garbay remains the only one in […]

Sandrine Garbay

With a degree from the Bordeaux Institute of Oenology, Sandrine Garbay earned the admiration of her peers by climbing the ranks to become cellarmaster at Château d’Yquem, a superior producer of sweet white wines. While she witnesses more women entering the profession—a dozen women are currently cellarmasters in Bordeaux—Sandrine Garbay remains the only one in charge of a first grand cru classé. Her favorite vintages from Yquem are unexpected, at best: 2002 or 2004. “‘They’re not famous Sauternes vintages, but they give me most satisfaction because they were so difficult,” she says. It is that very dedication to hard work that has led Garbay to achieve greatness at Château d’Yquem.