Made with Maude 2024: “Cheers to Change”

DeliveryRank has the pleasure of chatting with entrepreneur Maud Kleuskens who uses wine to make a positive impact and stimulate gender equality. Winemakers of MWM collaborates with passionate and inspiring female winemakers who infuse their wines with exceptional finesse, endless patience, and a keen eye for detail—a unique touch that can truly be tasted.

Through a series of serendipitous encounters, MWM began supporting talented female winemakers in the beautiful vineyards of Portugal, a country rich in winemaking heritage and ripe with undiscovered potential. With a commitment to expanding this tradition, MWM aspires to bring the excellence of female winemaking to many more regions.

Can you tell us about the journey that led to the creation of 'Made with Maude' and your mission to support female winemakers?

Made with Maude' began during a conversation in Lisbon about equality, diversity, and inclusion. As the founder, I wanted to create something meaningful that combined my passion for addressing inequality with my love for wine. With a background in strategy consulting and leadership, I launched 'Made with Maude' to produce high-quality, sustainable wines that also promote gender equality. Our mission, "Mission in a Bottle," is to support underrepresented female winemakers and make a positive impact on both people and the planet.

What challenges do female winemakers face in the traditionally male-dominated wine industry, and how does 'Made with Maude' help to overcome these obstacles?

Female winemakers face significant challenges in the male-dominated wine industry, where only 15% of winemakers are women, and less than 5% are people of color. At 'Made with Maude,' we are committed to addressing these inequalities by collaborating with passionate, inspiring female winemakers. These women bring a unique touch to our wines, characterized by attention to detail and finesse. By supporting and promoting their work, we help overcome the barriers they face and give them the recognition they deserve.

Sustainability is a key aspect of your wines. Can you elaborate on the sustainable practices you implement and why they are important to your brand?

Sustainability is at the core of 'Made with Maude.' We produce our wines using sustainable and organic farming methods, avoiding synthetic chemicals and pesticides. We have strict agreements with our producers to maintain these standards, even though it comes with higher costs. Additionally, we shorten our supply chain to reduce carbon emissions and use eco-friendly packaging. As a B-Corp certified company, we prioritize fair and ethical treatment within the industry and work towards a regenerative future with sustainable vineyard practices and packaging.

Your wines are not only sustainable but also vegan-friendly. How do you ensure the quality and ethical standards of your products from vineyard to bottle?

Our wines are not only sustainable but also 100% vegan. We ensure no animal products are used in the production process and work closely with our winemakers to maintain the highest ethical standards from vineyard to bottle. This allows us to create wines that are both delicious and ethically responsible.

What impact do you hope to achieve through 'Made with Maude,' both within the wine industry and in the broader context of gender equality and sustainability?

With every bottle sold, we provide children in a war zone with sustainable meals. We believe everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to nutritious food.

Global conflicts, natural disasters, and economic challenges have left millions hungry, and the pandemic worsened this crisis, especially for children suffering from severe malnutrition.

Our brand is committed to alleviating their suffering through pure, plant-based meals made from sustainable ingredients. Through our partner, Food for Life, we ensure these meals reach those in need. Last year, as a start-up, we provided 1,000 children in war zones with sustainable, vegan meals. Our goal is to significantly increase this number because, while a healthy meal is 'normal' for many of us, it is not for everyone. Every child deserves healthy food to grow and have a bright future.

At 'Made with Maude,' we strive to make a lasting impact by promoting gender equality and sustainability in the wine industry. We plan to continue expanding our sustainable practices, supporting more diverse winemakers, and raising awareness about the importance of equality and sustainability in our industry.

If you would like to find out more about Made with Maude, please visit https://madewithmaude.com/