To loud applause and in a buzzing setting, Esther Blom was named the first nominee for the title Wine Woman of the Year 2026. During the New Year reception at the Wine Professional trade fair in the RAI Amsterdam, the Wine Woman of the Year Foundation thus gave the go-ahead for a new edition of the election.
Source and image: Miss Publicity
The foundation annually highlights women who contribute to the Dutch wine world with knowledge, vision and passion. According to the jury - consisting of former winners and wine experts - the nominees show how versatile, professional and inspiring the sector is. Announcements of the other title candidates will follow in the coming months. In September, the final will take place at Gastvrij Rotterdam.
Jury report
The jury praised Esther's experience and background; “She is co-owner of Schermer Wijnkopers & Distillateurs (anno 1782), where she monitors quality from purchasing to sales, with a keen eye for selection and the market. Board positions at KVNW and SpiritsNL encourage responsible entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing within the industry. In doing so, she actively contributes to professionalisation and awareness in the Dutch wine world.
She stands with both feet in the profession said Barbara Verbeek chairman of the jury, without fuss. Down-to-earth approach. She inspires by showing that entrepreneurship and familial warmth can go together perfectly. Esther Blom exudes continuity, policy and respect for craftsmanship. a paragon of professional leadership in the Dutch wine industry.”.
About Esther Blom
Esther grew up in the family business Schermer 1782 and was literally shaped by the world of wine and spirits. Where other companies abandoned either discipline over the years, Schermer stayed true to both pillars - something Esther is immensely proud of and committed to every day. After her education at Hotelschool De Kogge and work experience in leading hotels in Amsterdam and Purmerend, she consciously entered the family business in 1997. When her mother died in 2009, Esther became a partner, later together with her sister Tanja and brother-in-law Martin Philipse. In doing so, she not only continued the family heritage, but also gave it her own modern signature.
Esther feels a strong responsibility to continue her father Paul Robert Blom's course: innovative, curious and daring. In the 1970s, Schermer was the first importer to bring wines from the former Yugoslavia to the Netherlands, opening a whole new market. That pioneering mentality still lives on. Today, Schermer focuses mainly on central and southern Europe, with special attention to lesser-known regions and autochthonous grape varieties. Esther sees it as her mission to introduce consumers and professionals to authentic wines with character, story and origin.
In addition, Esther is someone who feels strongly committed to the sector and her colleagues. Not only as an entrepreneur, but also as an administrator. She has been active for many years within the KVNW, among others - often as the only woman at the table - and within SpiritsNL. She finds it important to be present, to contribute and to take responsibility for the development of the industry and for correct, responsible trade. Esther combines knowledge, life experience, commitment and down-to-earthness with a big heart for her profession. “I still consider it a great honour to be nominated for Wine Woman of the Year 2026,” she tells herself.
Road to the final
The professional jury of Wine Woman of the Year 2026 consists of Janneke Rutten (Wine Woman of the Year 2025) Janna Rijpma Meppeling (winner Wine Woman of the Year 2024), Kirsten Abels (winner Wine Woman of the Year 2023), Tatjana Puklavec (winner Wine Woman of the Year 2022), Claudia van Dongen and Barbara Verbeek (vinologist and wine expert and co-founder Wine Woman of the Year). The final will take place in September 2026 during Gastvrij Rotterdam in Ahoy. Not only the jury of wine professionals will determine the final winner. After the announcement of the final nominee, the public can vote via www.wijnvrouwvanhetjaar.nl.
Partners
Main sponsor is Royal Leerdam, this Dutch company that has been designing, producing and selling glassware since 1976. Also a loyal partner is Gastvrij Rotterdam, the hospitality trade fair for the middle and high segment of the hospitality industry. MissPublicity and Het Wijntheater are involved as partners in the field of communication and organisation. The nomination rounds are hosted by the venue and independent wineries.
About Wine Fair Wine Professional
Wine Professional has been THE wine fair of the Benelux for more than 20 years, the place for inspiring starting point of the new year for hospitality and wine professionals. Besides classic wines from the well-known wine regions, the fair also focuses on up-and-coming young producers, emerging regions, new wine styles and hardly known grape varieties, as well as vins nature and cool climate wines. An experience where tasting and experiencing are central.
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