Within the Westcott Vineyards Wine portfolio, there are four wines we call the “Ladies”. The brainchild of Carolyn, they are wines that are inspired by women (real and fictional) of the twenties and early thirties who were the “IT girls” , in an age of elegance and changing social norms.
Todays post is about Violette – our Charmat Sparkling named after Violette Selridge.
Violette Selfridge de Sibour was a woman of remarkable courage and elegance. Born into the opulent world of early 20th-century retail royalty, she carved her own path through the skies, becoming one of the first women to circumnavigate the globe by air.
From Chicago to London: A Life of Privilege and Purpose
Violette Buckingham Selfridge was born on June 5, 1897, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the visionary founder of Selfridges department store in London, and Rosalie Amelia Buckingham. Raised amidst luxury, Violette was no stranger to the finer things in life, yet she yearned for adventure beyond the confines of high society.
She was an active member of the British suffragette movement and helped women win the right to vote in 1918.
In 1921, she married Vicomte Jacques de Sibour, a French nobleman and decorated World War I pilot. Their union was not just a merging of aristocratic lineages but also a partnership of shared passions, particularly for aviation.
The Flying Gypsies: A Daring Aerial Odyssey
In 1928, Violette and Jacques embarked on an ambitious journey: to fly around the world in their de Havilland Gipsy Moth biplane, affectionately named "Safari." Departing from Stag Lane Aerodrome in London on September 14, their route took them across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They navigated challenging terrains and unpredictable weather, often relying on their wits and the limited technology of the time.
Their adventure was not without peril. In Algeria, they made a forced landing in the Atlas Mountains, narrowly avoiding disaster. Later, in Tehran, Jacques suffered an appendicitis, delaying their journey by several weeks. Undeterred, they continued, eventually reaching Southeast Asia, where they paused to explore the region before shipping their plane to Japan and then crossing the Pacific to the United States.
After traversing North America, they returned to Europe, completing their nine-month, 10,000-mile journey. Their remarkable feat was chronicled in Violette's memoir, "Flying Gypsies," published in 1930.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Violette's adventures resonated beyond her own accomplishments. She formed a friendship with Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviatrix. Violette's husband, Jacques, played a crucial role in supporting Earhart's 1937 world flight attempt by providing meteorological data and logistical assistance. as well as partial funding.
Violette's life was a testament to the spirit of exploration and the breaking of societal norms. She passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire adventurers and dreamers alike.
Violette Selfridge de Sibour's story is a beautiful blend of elegance, courage, and unyielding determination. Her journey around the world serves as a reminder that with passion and perseverance, the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.
Violette is available at the winery as well as in selected vintages sections in the LCBO
