Women in Wine: Lisa Marie Ritchat & Dirty Laundry Winery

Lisa Marie Ritchat Continues to Define Dirty Laundry

While she appears supremely confident and upbeat, her admission of experiencing "imposter syndrome" offers a relatable glimpse into the challenges faced by accomplished women in leadership even in the wine industry. But spend time with Lisa Marie and you realize she is wise beyond her years with humor that rivals any stand-up. Not only that but she puts emphasis on the value of "team" and power of women she works with at Dirty Laundry.

Dirty Laundry Makes "Good Wine"

​Dirty Laundry was never high on my wine radar. Its playful name and polarizing labels like 'Woo Woo Gew' and 'Hush,' made me pass on it. Primarily, I had an aversion to off-dry wines, which reminded me of the Germanic influence that once dominated the Okanagan Valley wine scene. That changed when I met Lisa Marie Ritchat while opening Wine & Beyond in Kelowna in 2021. She showed up consistently and built a partnership that left its mark.

My first visit to the winery was surprising. I realized Dirty Laundry is a serious enterprise, producing approximately 40,000 cases annually. Winemaker Mason Spink busy since 2013, was shaping a portfolio that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Tasting their 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, I was converted: it was dry, refreshing, aromatic, and genuinely BC. The quality was undeniable.

Dirty Laundry History

In case you didn't know, the vineyards were planted back in 1978. The brand, founded around 2006 by a group of four partners, is rooted in the Gold Rush era tale of Sam Suey, a Chinese immigrant whose laundry allegedly hid a speak-easy, giving rise to the name "Dirty Laundry." Next year Dirty Laundry will celebrate its 25th anniversary. 

​Dirty Laundry is located about 20 minutes north of Penticton. The scenic drive winds through mixed agriculture and leads to the winery marked by a patio hanging over the ledge and ladies’ fashionable 1950s undergarments decorating the entrance. The tasting room, quiet in the off-season, was packed shoulder-to-shoulder in August, buzzing with many languages and many happy faces celebrating wine.

​Accolades have confirmed the shift in critical perception: the 2022 Gamay (sold out) took everyone by surprise, winning "Wine of the Year" at the BC Top 50 Okanagan Wine Festival. This was a massive honor cementing the winery's reputation. This success stands alongside the ongoing triumph of the famously popular but polarizing Hush Rosé, which is traditionally off-dry and sometimes dismissed by critics. What I had discovered was no longer a secret: Dirty Laundry is making "good wine."

Lisa Marie Ritchat

​The story of women in BC wine is sometimes found outside the cellar, in crucial areas like sales and marketing. This is the story of Lisa Marie Ritchat, the dynamic, modern host and marketing force driving one of Summerland's most recognized wineries. Lisa Marie brought her entrepreneurial, cheeky spirit immediately making things happen by supporting local events and other women in wine.

As Sales & Marketing Manager, Lisa Marie is a powerful example of a non-winemaker making waves. Drawing on years of restaurant management experience, she brings strategic insight, intuition, and a well-spoken, energetic personality to the winery’s atmosphere. Her ability to recognize pain points and mentor her team has helped to build a robust following with 1,300 wine club members, engaged through popular events like Wine Club Wednesdays and Sangria Sundays. While she appears supremely confident and upbeat, her admission of experiencing "imposter syndrome" offers a relatable glimpse into the challenges faced by accomplished women in leadership not limited to the wine industry. But spend time with Lisa Marie and you realize she is wise beyond her years with humor that rivals any stand-up. ​

Dirty Laundry Wine Recommendations

​Her most pressing challenge is marketing the 2024 "Crafted in BC" vintage. Following the catastrophic deep freeze that devastated BC vineyards, the winery strategically sourced grapes from Washington State under the "Crafted in BC" provisions. Despite the quality risk during transit, the resulting wines are great. The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Reserve Rosé, 2024 Reserve Chardonnay, and 2024 Pinot Gris are clean, refreshing and well balanced. 

​The new Reserve Rosé​ struck a chord with me. It's dry, flavourful, a classic Provencal color and sourced from grapes in Yakima. The value of "Crafted in BC" could not be more pronounced than here where no grapes would have been catastrophic to the valley's wineries. Exploring new relationships south of the border provided two bonuses. The first being grapes to make wine. Thank god. Second, an opportunity for wine lovers to taste and appreciate the nuances of grapes grown here and south of the border. My palate detected a bit more richness (showing up as body and alcohol) in wines made from Washington grapes. At least that was my observation with the Reserve wines from Dirty Laundry's "Crafted in BC" collection. And when you think about Sauvignon Blanc, this can be a very nice experience - less racy, more balance with lots of flavour and complexity.

Conclusion

The resilience of the wine industry is fully dependent on adapting to change with entrepreneurial zeal. It takes voice and collaboration to thrive not only at each winery but the industry as a whole. Thanks to women in wine like Lisa Marie Ritchat, a driving force for Dirty Laundry Winery, she’s leading the conversation positioning BC wine for the future. She understands quality and the market at both the entry-level and the premium wine category. Lisa Marie’s influence extends beyond Dirty Laundry and demonstrates that marketing leadership in the wine business is every bit as critical as the work done in the vineyard and the winery. Her story is a powerful narrative for women: you can shape the world of wine from outside the cellar, especially if you use your voice to collaborate not only with your team but also with the broader regional wine industry. Cheers to Lisa Marie. The future is looking Rosé (pun intended).



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Dirty Laundry is located in Summerland.