Sip Sip Hooray Podcast

On today's show, when you think of Japanese cuisine, what beverage comes to mind? Maybe sake or a Japanese beer? What about an elegant Pinot Noir? Our guest today is out to prove that Pinot is the perfect complement to umami-rich Japanese dishes.Xander Soren has spent his career blending technical expertise with a passion for music and creative expression. He helped launch iTunes, the first iPods, and he co-created GarageBand, which opened the world of music production to creators everywhere, inspiring indie music makers around the world. Today Xander's focus is wine. His latest venture is Xander Soren Wines, a boutique wine label with wines that truly sing. Xander certainly brought the Apple design sensibility to his wines in the packaging and in the elegance of the Pinot Noir made with one of our favorite winemakers, Shalini Sekhar. We've never met a vintner or winemaker who counts top Japanese sushi masters as friends. Nor have I ever heard a reaction to a wine where a friend who I recently shared a bottle of Xander's Olivet Lane Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley say it slides into sushi and takes the place of soy sauce. We'll explore Xander's decidedly different approach to wine, which includes his personally curated playlist to help you get in the groove to enjoy wine.

What do a 1946 Western film, a fight for independence in the Balkans, a celebrity Engagement, a Fulbright Scholarship and Baskin-Robbins ice cream have in common? They are all part of the life story of a charismatic, hardworking, and big dreaming winemaker. Meet Sonja Magdevski of ⁠Clementine Carter Wines⁠ in Santa Barbara County's Los Alamos, where she's one of the OGs who turned the sleepy little town into a must visit wine destination.But, her first job in wine was planting a vineyard with no experience.We explore how Sonja fell in love with Grenache, her pioneering role in the Los Alamos wine community and her passion for storytelling through both wine and writing. Join us for an inspiring conversation about taking risks, following unexpected paths, and creating something truly unique. We're excited to have Sonja, a fellow journalist and an inspiration to so many people, joining us to share her story.

What do a 1946 Western film, a fight for independence in the Balkans, a celebrity Engagement, a Fulbright Scholarship and Baskin-Robbins ice cream have in common? They are all part of the life story of a charismatic, hardworking, and big dreaming winemaker. Meet Sonja Magdevski of Clementine Carter Wines in Santa Barbara County's Los Alamos, where she's one of the OGs who turned the sleepy little town into a must visit wine destination.But, her first job in wine was planting a vineyard with no experience.We explore how Sonja fell in love with Grenache, her pioneering role in the Los Alamos wine community and her passion for storytelling through both wine and writing. Join us for an inspiring conversation about taking risks, following unexpected paths, and creating something truly unique. We're excited to have Sonja, a fellow journalist and an inspiration to so many people, joining us to share her story.

On the podcast today, the story of a woman who went from finance to fermentation. Terah Bajjalieh earned her degree focused on economic forecasts and number crunching, but instead wound up working in a world of weather forecasts and grape crushing. She's a winemaker you need to know -- who just debuted two of her wines at select Whole Foods.Terah graduated with a degree in finance, but a three month course on wine ended up changing the course of her life. So she followed that unexpected passion for wine and is now one of the most exciting new voices in wine.She's gone from being a globetrotting harvest helper to getting a masters degree in Enology and Viticulture and becoming a sommelier as well. Today, she is winning rave reviews for her natural style winemaking and the impressive wine she makes under her Terah Wine Company label. Terah's work as a natural winemaker earned her a spot as one of Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemakers in 2024. So pour a glass of wine and join us to hear Terah' s inspiring story.

The need for help for impacted wine professionals is ongoing.On this episode of Sip Sip Hooray!, we dive into how the wine and hospitality community supports professionals in crisis. Guest Cristie Norman, president and co-founder of the United Sommeliers Foundation, shares how the nonprofit has been providing financial aid to sommeliers and wine professionals affected by disasters—including the recent Los Angeles wildfires.The recent LA wildfires may be over, but their impact on the wine and hospitality industry continues. Cristie Norman discusses the ongoing need, not only for the LA Fires but also for recent hurricanes, other natural disasters, but also healthcare needs and domestic violence issues facing sommeliers.Learn about the foundation's five-year journey, its impact on industry professiona, and how you can contribute to their mission. From financial aid for those facing unexpected hardships to disaster relief efforts, the USF is making a real difference. From providing emergency grants to those in need to long-term recovery support, their work is truly inspiring.

This Earth Day, we get our hands dirty (in the best way!) with Jason Haas, second-generation proprietor of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, on California's Central Coast. Tablas Creek is the first U.S. winery to earn Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC). Jason breaks down what regenerative organic farming is, why it's a game-changer for the planet and your wine glass, and how Tablas Creek is leading the charge in farming that's good for the soil, the vines and grapes, people, animals and the community.Seems Paso Robles is a mecca for the regenerative organic farming movement. Jason has his theory as to why, and he also tells us how regenerative farming goes beyond organic and biodynamic practices and how these practices increase carbon sequestration.

On this episode of Sip Sip Hooray, we take a frank BTS look on what - and how much money - it takes to establish a new winery in Napa Valley. Fred and Trey Eppright are the father-son duo behind Parable Wines in Napa Valley. They built careers as real estate developers in Texas, but after trips to various wine regions, Trey fell in love with wine and wanted to find a winery property in Napa Valley. He convinced Fred to invest in his dream.Their story includes the challenges of starting a winery in Napa Valley and the permit battles that delayed their vision for 3+ years.After listening we know you'll have a new appreciation for why wine costs what it does.

In this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! we dive into the the recent declarations that no level of alcohol is safe, calls for cancer labeling, the anti-alcohol movement and the impacts on the wine industry and wine lovers. Our guest, Erlinda Doherty, a sommelier, alcohol policy expert and founder of Vinicola Consulting, sheds light on the latest health warnings, the World Health Organization's stance on alcohol, and the potential implications of new government regulations.We discuss the history of alcohol warnings and neo-prohibition movements, the WHO's "no safe level of alcohol" claim, what's motivating it and why now? We look at the science behind moderate wine consumption, how health policies and warning labels could change the wine industry, and what wine lovers and industry professionals can do to have their voices heard.

SawyerSomm is in the house!In this episode, we talk with Chris Sawyer, the “Sommelier to the Stars,” about his unique approach to wine, film, and music. From high school nights with Winona Ryder to private tastings with Hollywood's biggest and brightest, Chris shares his passion and unforgettable stories.  There's just not enough time to describe Chris's impact on the wine world. His unique approach to pairing films with vintages, and behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood to Napa Valley are legendary and unforgettable. But, as you'll learn, Chris keeps it real and down-to-earth.From hosting underground cellar tastings to rubbing shoulders with Michael Keaton and Francis Ford Coppola, Chris proves that wine is more than just a drink—it's a story waiting to unfold. Grab a glass and enjoy the conversation!

Our guest today is Jess Druey, founder ofWhiny Baby, a wine label that's all about keeping it fun and keeping it real. These are not your parents' dusty vintages and the wines not aimed at wine aficionados with massive cellars of expensive bottles. This is wine for a younger generation, Gen Z to be specific, the babies of the wine world, people dipping their toes in and looking for a good time.Jess says the wine industry has an old people problem and that wineries don't know how to talk to Gen Z and wine newbies. We agree with that. So Jess went about re-imagining, reinventing, and reinvigorating the often stodgy wine world.Think of wine in terms of the vibe, the experience, the emotion. We love a wine bottle that comes with bling and super fun labels that turn in the savable stickers.But Jess is not just a rising star in the wine world, she's a star in the TV world. We'll get some behind the scenes stories about her big win onGordon Ramsay's Food Stars.Whiny Baby is Gen Z owned and operated, loud, colorful, fun, and irreverent. By re-imagining the wine experience, Whiny Baby's call to Gen Z is, it's time for you to break up with your seltzers.

What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to wine? On the pod we're usually anti-whiny, but on this episode we're sharing some stuff about the wine world that just gets under our skin, grape skin and otherwise - the quirks that irk us and annoying things about the wine scene that are frankly hard to swallow. We do love wine, but there are some things about wine and the wine industry that baffle us, or just piss us off. We've compiled a list of our top wine pet peeves, perhaps some of the same things that you wish would change. Plus, we've got pleas to the wine industry to take action on some of these points. They can take them or leave them, but we hope they take them. We'd love to know if our pet peeves resonate with you, and we'd love to know what your pet peeves are that aren't on our list. DM us on social media or leave a comment on our podcast platforms.

You probably don't think of gold or the gold rush when it comes to the Willamette Valley, but it's the foundation for our guests today for their families, farm, ranch and now vineyard and winery. Cam Bower and Bernadette Bayliss-Bower are the the husband and wife team behind Ghost Hill Cellars in Oregon's storied Willamette Valley. They're here to share their haunting tale about apparitions lurking among their picturesque winery and vinyeards. Yes, this is a wine podcast, but bear with us. We'll connect the dots because the Ghost Hill Cellars has roots that date back to the gold rush in Oregon.

We here at Sip Sip Hooray! love a good deal! Amid all the stories swirling around about how expensive Wine Country visits have become, we decided to challenge ourselves and see if we could buck the trend, and save a few - or more - bucks. Our first destination was Napa Valley, and ICYMI the episode, check it out here. Now we're headed to Sonoma County, one of Travel & Leisure's Best 50 Places to Travel in 2024. We did the research so you don't have to. How about wine tastings for $35 or less, hotels for $200 or less a night, good local eats and fun activities that won't break the bank? Yes please! We've even got several recommendations that are free

We've got the OG Wine Riot Ringmaster in the house! Our guest today is about as anti-wine snob as they come. Tyler Balliet has been on a mission to bring joy to the wine world, focusing on the fun, the fascinating stories and the celebrations big and small that are created with wine. Tyler is the author of The Rebel School of Wine: A Visual Guide to Drinking with Confidence, and let me tell you, we cannot wait to get schooled. Tyler has thrown more wine parties than we can count, each more extravagant, creative, and out there, and most importantly, super fun, and totally Instagram and TikTok worthy. His goal is to entertain and educate, but you're never talked down to. In fact, Tyler says we're all talking about wine the wrong way. His book, The Rebel Wine School, restores joy and curiosity about wine. There are so many juicy details about wine, its culture and history that we never knew that, thanks Tyler, we're happy to know about now. The Rebel School of Wine book is the anti-wine book, a lively, colorful, all-inclusive read that you'll go back to over and over instead of leaving it collecting dust on your bookshelf. Find out why in our lively conversation with Tyler.

On this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! the Marys are playing Santa's helpers! We've been on the hunt for the perfect wine holiday gifts, from budget-friendly stocking stuffers to little indulgences, experiences, good reads and a few splurges. Listen all the way through for exclusive discount codes! We wanted to think outside the typical wine gift and inspire you to get creative gifting the wine lover in your life. We tried to have a broad price point range too, in hopes of providing inspiration for all pocketbooks. Be warned, you may want to keep some of these to gift to yourself. To be clear, we are not getting any kickbacks for promoting any of these gift ideas, and they are all chosen and in most cases, tested by us.

The Author of The World in A Wineglass is here! Food & Wine executive wine editor and Travel + Leisure wine editor Ray Isle has been writing about wine and other adult beverages for over 20 years. You've also seen his byline in many publications, including The Washington Post, Time and Wine & Spirits. Ray has also collected all sorts of awards and accolades for his work, including three James Beard nominations for beverage writing. He makes the world of wine understandable and attractive. Ray is also the author of a beautiful new book called The World in a Wineglass. His first book is It is part love letter, part encyclopedia or wine Wikipedia, and part delightful guide to wine around the globe. But Ray is not your typical wine writer. In fact, he might be better known for his wine and potato chip pairings: barbecue chips and Zinfandel or spicy AF jalapeño or sriracha chips with a super acidic chilled white wine like Riesling or Grüner Veltliner. So, Ray is the perfect guide through this world of wine. In The World in a Wine Glass, he explains the difference between corporate-owned, mass-produced wines and the wine producers who grow their own grapes and make wines that reflect the place and vintage variations for a unique sip. He does this by comparing them to the difference between a Taco Bell taco and a taco made from scratch from your local taqueria. The wines that Ray chose for his book offers something more, stories, soul and a few surprises. Yet the world of wine and wine journalism is changing and from his vantage point, Ray has seen it all. So pop the cork, pour a glass and settle in for some great wine stories.

There's more to a wine label than meets the eye. Most of us buy wine in the store and when we do, we picture that bottle coming from a small winery nestled among the vines somewhere in wine country.But did you know a growing chunk of popular labels don't have their own winery or winemaking team? They are private label wines contracted out to a third party winery who supplies the grapes, the winemaking team and creates a company's vintage vision. A great example that most of us can relate to is Costco's Kirkland Brand or Trader Joe's wine. We're exploring the world of private label wines with one of the best in the business. Alison Crowe is Vice President of winemaking at Plata Wine Partners and she helps create more than 100 labels for clients near and far. If you've never heard the term private label when it comes to wine, you may be surprised to learn that many of the most popular wine brands are made by talented winemakers whose names or wineries are not on the label. In fact, Alison says she translates the beauty of a vineyard through the medium of wine. We'll set the record straight on how private label wines are made with quality, even sustainably sourced grapes. And we'll take a deeper dive into this very important part of the wine business.

On the pod today - we're thinking inside the wine box! Have you noticed there are more boxed wine options on the market and they're getting better and better? What may have seemed like a cheaper choice before is now viewed as a more sustainable choice. And the wine in the bag in that box? It keeps getting better. We get the lowdown on the move to wine in boxes from industry expert Erin Kirschenmann of Wine Business Monthly and Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, CA. For Erin, when it comes to alternative packaging for wine, she's seen it evolve and she has the inside scoop on the industry perspective and the evolution of boxed wine. For Jason, we'll learn the inspiration for Tablas Creek being one of the first wineries to put really, really good wine in a box. If you're used to cheap boxed wine, this is not only a revelation but a trend we're seeing. So draw some wine from the box in your fridge and join us for a great conversation!

Do something. That's what The Wine Bible author and wine expert Karen MacNeil said to herself when she was thinking about media stories focusing on alcohol's negative effects - but not the positive communal, cultural, historic and yes, cardiac health aspects of wine. Now there is a new campaign to bring people back to the table, the communal table, not necessarily the bar. It is called Come Over October. And today on the podcast, we get the lowdown on this effort and why you might wanna give it a try. Karen's brainstorm about wine bringing people together quickly caught on. She enlisted wine communicator wizes Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET, of Charles Communications and Gino Colangelo of Colangelo & Partners to work together fleshing out a campaign and spreading the word. Karen returns to Sip Sip Hooray (link to her previous episode below). She is joined by Joseph Phelps Vineyards Maison President David Pearson to share with our listeners what Come Over October is - and isn't (hint: it's not a wild party) and why it matters.

We've got Hot Takes with Tom Wark! From DTC shipping, the anti-alcohol movement and more, Tom's got something to say, and he says it on our pod. But you can get a regular dose of Tom's commentary and insights on the wine industry must read Substack, Fermentation. Because everyone wants to know what Tom thinks. Tom Wark is one of the OG wine bloggers and the wine industry's favorite muckraker, a man who is not afraid to call out an industry that doesn't always play fair or the forces he feels are working against the American wine consumer. Tom speaks for us, the wine lovers and little guys, and he's not afraid to push back against the big dogs or the accepted norms in the wine industry.

We're talking to Megan Bell, winemaker and founder of Margins Wines in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. She was recently profiled in a San Francisco Chronicle story about struggles small wineries and winemakers face as they work to keep their labels going despite many challenges. Megan is the face of the story. We wanted to hear all about it straight from her - and while there's gloom, she remains hopeful and pushes on. By the way, her wines are delicious!

A New Wine Label Takes the Stage. Launching a new wine label, especially during the pandemic, is never easy. But today we meet two actors who make, promote and sell their wine between acting, directing and producing gigs. They are Matt and Carolina Espino de Jager of Fuil Wines - pronounced fool - and we're excited to hear their story of starting their own winery and the two labels that they've created. From acting to winemaking, it's not a unique story. In this case, Matt and Carolina's screenplay is full of passion, wine country romance and determination without a marquee Hollywood name. You've heard folks say to some people who have side gigs, don't quit your day job just yet. Well, the early reviews for Fuil have been notably good. So maybe that advice doesn't alway apply! We're excited to introduce you to these wines and Matt and Carolina, who share how they balance their dual roles. Grab a glass and join us!

On this podcast episode, let's hear it for the girls. As founder of ⁠Teneral Cellars⁠, Jill Osur is driven to make a difference, harnessing the power of business for good and using wine as a conduit for change. All this while also creating a selection of exceptional, sustainable wines. Did you know women are the primary purchasers of wine? That's right, nearly 70% of wine sold is bought by women. As consumers, women have long held the buying power, but not necessarily the business power in the world of wine. Only 10% of winemakers are women today and there are still very few women in leadership roles in the wine industry. Our guest today is determined to elevate women in wine, creating a winery that's run by women, partners with women-owned businesses, and donates part of their profits to groups that empower women. Join us for this uplifting and inspiring conversation!

Why You Should Be Drinking Portuguese Wines Now On the podcast today, the Symington family has a history in Portugal as rich as their Ports. We are excited to have DOC Douro Category Manager Mariana Brito and fifth generation family member Harry Symington joining us on the pod from Portugal to share Symington's story. Port is a wine we think of as the perfect end to a great meal, a relaxing wine to sip and toast on an evening shared with family and friends. Port invites us to slow down, sip, and savor. The Symington family has lived by that mantra for generations. They are one of the best known names in Port, admired worldwide for their dedication to the wine and sustainable practices. Symington Family Estates owns the Port Houses of Dow's, Graham's, Warre's, Cockburn's and Quinta do Vesuvio, and dry wine producers in Portugal's Douro Valley, Vinho Verde and Alentejo wine regions. The family is carefully upholding the best of Port's long history while also stewarding the wine into the future, producing dry white, rosé and red wines. While they trace their roots in the Port trade back to 1652, today the fifth generation of Symingtons is leading the way in the family business. You might think of Port as your father's or grandfather's drink. But Port is being rediscovered thanks in part to travelers choosing to go to Portugal and the historic Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the world's oldest demarcated wine region as their top destination. For this episodes show notes visit https://sipsiphooraypodcast.com/

When you look at a restaurant's wine list, what do you see? Do you see equity, cultural and biodiversity, representation, affordability, fun? Our guest today believes all of that should be front and center on a wine list. Miguel de Leon has made a career and a celebrated name for himself as a wine professional of color in New York City, where he is currently the wine director at Pinch Chinese in Manhattan. When he's not running the wine program at Pinch, he's writing thought-provoking articles for the online magazine Punch that aren't afraid to throw a punch at the status quo of the wine world. He's brave and outspoken and just what the mostly white wine world needs today. Today, we'll explore where the wine industry and wine culture stands now in terms of progress, or lack thereof, on diversity, accessibility, equality and inclusiveness. Miguel has stirred up controversy with his writings for Punch, including "It's Time to Decolonize Wine," and "So Long to the Sommelier." Miguel has a point and is an important voice in what could be an inflection point in how we approach, talk and communicate about wine. Is it time for wine speak to die? Are somms fading away? You don't want to miss our lively discussion with Miguel. 

The number one thing people always ask us is, can you do wine country on a budget? With the Napa Valley wine experience becoming more and more expensive, with wine tastings regularly costing upwards of $10, can you visit this incredible wine mecca without blowing a small fortune in the process? We, the Marys, say yes! You can be bougie on a budget in Napa Valley. We've got the inside scoop on the wine tastings for $50 or less, hotels in the $200 or less range, and restaurants that won't break the bank. We even got some freebies! Here's the list of all the places and experiences we mention. But you'll have to listen to the pod for all the great details and tips - you won't want to miss any of them!

Is it time to turn to white wine? Wine drinkers are now choosing white wine more than red! Our guests, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, aka the World Wine Guys, are the perfect ambassadors for exploring the wide and delicious world of white wine. After all, their motto is, "We uncork your world." Mike and Jeff could have dedicated their new book, "White Wine, The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties and Styles" to us, the Marys, because we're such big wine white wine lovers. We'll get into all the tea on what it takes to author such an informative yet fun book. If you don't already have a white wine in your glass, this show will leave you craving a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or rich, aromatic Viognier. The World Wine Guys are prolific writers and travelers. Imagine a job where you get to travel around the world, visiting the most incredible wine regions, eating exotic and gourmet meals, and of course, savoring the world's best wines. A dream, right? Well, that pretty much sums up Mike and Jeff's lives. And today, we get to live vicariously through their wine-soaked adventures. You get the feeling that even their work isn't really work because it involves their absolute passion, wine.

On the podcast today, a wine friend so busy we can't believe she's made time to visit us again. And she's speaking to us from Mendoza, Argentina. Dr. Laura Catena is the managing director of one of the best known names in wine - Catena Zapata. Catena is admired around the world not only for incredible wines her family produces, but also for their stewardship of the land and efforts to make wine production more ecologically sustainable, as well as her tireless work to champion and preserve old vines and genetic diversity in wine. Laura is a fourth generation Argentine vintner whose winery was recently named the world's best vineyard to visit. It is such a pleasure to welcome Laura back to the podcast today - she was last on our pod in October 2020 - to talk about Malbec, the future of healthy wine consumption and what wineries can do to take care of people and the planet. So pour a glass of Malbec and welcome Laura back to Sip Sip Hooray!

We've become cork dorks! That's right, while you may love the convenience and ease of screw caps, after today's pod, you'll never think about cork stoppers the same way. Sure, cork has been used for centuries to seal wine bottles, and, you may know it comes from the bark of cork oak trees. You may not know 60% of the world's cork comes from Portugal. That's one reason we're excited to have Carlos de Jesus, Communications Director for Amorim Cork, the world's largest cork producer, joining us on the pod from Amorim's headquarters just outside of Porto. In August and September 2023, Mary Orlin visited Amorim's two main factories and a cork oak farm while vacationing in Portugal. She met with several members of Amorim's team, including Carlos, and was treated to an in-depth master class on cork. She was totally fascinated and wanted to share what she saw and learned with our podcast audience. Mary O says you may not think much about the cork stopper when you pull it from the bottle, but there's a lot that goes into getting that cork there in the first place.Carlos will walk us through cork's journey and also share how Amorim became the first cork manufacturer to identify and practically eliminate cork's enemy, 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole, also known as TCA, cork taint or cork spoilage (which smells like musty basements or wet newspaper).Carlos is here today to talk about new progress in the world of wine corks.

Does wine speak make your eyes roll or glaze over? One of the most intimidating things about wine isn't about what's in your glass - it's the words used to describe it. Do tasting notes that allude to a pasture in Southern France, stewed plums or brown spices (whatever those are!) turn you off from wine? You're not alone. The way we talk about and communicate sets wine apart from other alcoholic beverages. Maybe this is why younger consumers aren't big wine fans. Wine words matter. That's why today's guest, wine journalist, educator and Terroir Review.com founder Meg Maker says it's time for the languages of wine to change - and we the Marys, agree! Meg has been researching the lexicon - or language - of wine and shares some fascinating discoveries and perspectives. Lately she's been speaking and writing about a new approach to talking about wine. The goal - use words that are more welcoming, approachable and relatable, whether you're a wine pro or just love wine.

Meet winemaker Aaron Lieberman. All his life, Aaron's been volunteering and giving back, including a stint with the Peace Corp in Guatemala. Now he's tending vines and crafting fine wines at Iris Vineyards in the Willamette Valley, always with an eye towards improving every day. That's in line with the principle of areté. What has areté got to do with wine? Aaron Lieberman is happy to tell you - and he shares this secret to making wines bloom at Iris with the Marys on this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! Areté is an ancient Greek concept of striving to achieve full potential. It's a philosophy embraced by Iris Vineyards owners Richard Boyles and Pamela Frye.  Aaron is also involved in the Willamette Valley Wineries Association's Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI) Task Force. Over the years he has participated, supported and contributed to various LGBTQ and BIPOC events. So grab a glass, sit back and get to know Aaron and Iris Vineyards!

We've made our list our list and we're checking it twice. Whether you're gifting the wine lovers in your life - or treating yourself, The Marys have got you covered! These are our top 12 picks - none of them sponsored so the list truly is all of our favorites. Sure it's easy to pick out some nice wines or bubbly, but our gift picks are sure to bring the holiday cheer to last much longer than an opened bottle of wine. Head to our show notes on Sip Sip Hooray Podcast for a complete list and links to every gift mentioned.

Want to know the inside tracks, the backroads and the best bests of the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley in northern Sonoma County? We got you! Our guests today co-host the popular, fun and informative award-winning podcast, The Wine Road. As they say, it's all about the wine and the where of Sonoma County. Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa are podcast pros! They've done 180+ episodes, extolling the delights of northern Sonoma County, from the redwood forests, the diverse growing regions, picturesque valleys and charming downtowns. Tune in and you'll learn about engaging wine personalities, incredible experiences and a diverse culinary culture. Recently Marcy and Beth hosted us, the Marys, on an episode of The Wine Road. ICYMI listen here. It's great to support other podcasters in the wine space and we sure had lots of laughs doing it. Join us for everything you wanted to know - and didn't know you needed to know - about northern Sonoma County along The Wine Road.

Here at Sip Sip Hooray! we are all about making wine approachable, sharing peeks behind the label of some of your favorite wines and helping you discover some new wines. For this episode the Marys are in Livermore Valley at Omega Road Winery. This is a winery and story we want you to know. Today we've got a show about a daughter father duo who are making wine together as Omega Road Winery in California's Livermore Valley. And with the name like Omega, they may just wind up being the end all in wine. It's a family affair, as mom and the family dog are also involved! We are excited to introduce you to Alexandra Henkelman. She is Alex to her friends and we're sure she will feel like a friend by the end of this podcast. Alex is an active member in Livermore's wine community, supporting a growing cadre of women working in wine in the valley as a member of the Women's Wine Collective of Livermore Valley. Alex and her family just debuted their newly expanded tasting room, a beautiful and hip, cool place to hang out. It is exciting to see how the family has not only grown but thrived with the Omega Road label. We are thrilled to be here in the tasting room with Alex and her dog - and winery mascot - Millie.

Three years have gone by since a devastating CZU Lightning Complex wildfire tore through California's Santa Cruz Mountains in August 2020, destroying the home of Big Basin Vineyards winemaker Bradley Brown. The fire damaged his vineyard, but spared his winery, even though it was very close to the flames. Since that time, Bradley and Big Basin have been coming back and in many ways, they are better than ever. In the immediate aftermath of the 2020, we hosted a podcast panel discussion with the winemakers impacted by the flames and smoke, and Bradley Brown was a participant. So today we are happy and grateful to welcome Bradley back to the podcast under happier circumstances, to talk about growth from the wildfire ashes, changes at Big Basin and in Bradley's life. Big Basin has a new tasting room and wine bar in Santa Cruz, CA, and the winery also brought back the popular Fireside Fridays at its Boulder Creek winery and vineyard. Mary O has a confession - she's been a Big Basin fan since at least 2010 and at one time, Big Basin wines were the #1 label in her collection, although she put a good dent in that during the pandemic.

We love a winery with a manifesto, especially when one of the statements is "We are for wine with lunch on Mondays. To open the good stuff for no reason is the reason." It just makes life more fun right? You've never met vintners like Joey Wolosz and Jeff Durham of Napa's Gentleman Farmer Wines. This dynamic duo blows us away with their talent and all the things they do besides making wine. Joey is a fantastic chef, is working on a cookbook, plays the accordian, writes a monthly newsletter and publishes a quarterly magazine. Jeff is an avid farmer, plays the clarinet and provides comic relief. All this in addition to making amazing wine with one of our favorite winemakers, Jérôme Chéry! This doesn't even include their epic wine tastings, which are sit down full lunch affairs, all created from scratch by Joey. What's more, when you make an appointment to taste Gentleman Farmer Wines, you'll be sipping and breaking bread with Jeff and Joey, while nibbling on Joey's homemade dishes, crafted that morning. Mary O met Joey and Jeff when they were in Palm Springs for the first ever Equality Wine Fest in June 2022. We're thrilled to introduce you to these gentleman farmers, share their story and give you the inside scoop on their soon to open The Bungalow by Gentleman Farmer, A Studio for Gustatory Well-Being in downtown Napa.

Welcome to #SoberOctober. If you're looking for good non-alcoholic wine, no matter the reason, this episode is your perfect pour. Call it sober curious, mindful or buzzless drinking, alcohol-free libations are growing in popularity and demand. Today's non-alcoholic wines are getting better and better, thanks to new technologies and creators redefining what low and no ABV (alcohol by volume) wines can be.  It's only fitting now that #SoberOctober, an extension of Dry January and July, is here, that our guests are all in on everything fun about wine, minus the hangovers, and the calories. Catherine Diao and Dorothy Munholland founded Studio Null and immediately garnered rave reviews for their sparkling Rosé and red blends that all clock in at 25 calories/5 ounce glass. Null Wines recently released the first non-alcoholic Grüner Veltliner, called Grüner Weiss and the Marys are excited that we got to try it and we'll share our review with you.  Also in this episode, Catherine and Dorothy explain what it takes to make Studio Null Wines, which start as full-blown wines, and then they remove the alcohol. It's a fascinating story best enjoyed with a non-alcoholic wine. We'll also hear the story of the artists behind Null Wines distinct labels.

Sip Sip Hooray for Rhone wine varieties! Our guests today are a husband and wife winemaking team, working and living in California's Santa Clara Valley. This is a historic winemaking region, dating back to the 1798, but Kim and Todd Engelhardt are adding their own chapter to the story, buying property and planting vineyards on land that, in the late 1880s, was known as Lion Ranch. The Engelhardts went all in on Rhone wine varietals - and their honeymoon in the Rhone Valley sealed the deal. They visited Condrieu - where only Viognier is made - and fell in love with it. But they didn't just buy and drink Viognier - they built a wine business - Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery - around it. Now, with wines names like Lioness, Lion's Share and Alpha, this winery roars. Todd, an emergency room physician by night, handles organic farming, and the duo is moving into regenerative farming, along with incorporating Baby Doll sheep and bees into their ecosystem. Kim overseas the winery operations, sales and marketing and is the president of the winery association Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. Together they share winemaking duties.  We're delighted that Kim and Todd are taking time to chat with us on the pod. We know you'll be smitten with them, their story, their approach to wine and, of course their wines. 

If you've ever dreamed of making a career switch to wine, our podcast today may just inspire you. Rosa Fierro went from legal assistant to winemaker and winery owner. It didn't happen overnight, and the journey wasn't without its twists and turns and stops and starts. But one of the reasons Rosie has made it work is because of the women who helped her out along the way.  Today Livermore Valley's @Rosa Fierro Cellars is 100% female owned and operated. They are helping to change the narrative about what has been a male dominated wine world, and as Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox sing, sisters are doing it for themselves! The two Marys are at Rosie's winery and tasting room, in what we like to say is the vortex of winemaking in Northern California's Livermore Valley Wine Community, as she's surrounded by other wineries, a brewery and a distillery. Rosie has perhaps the most unique label art we've seen and it's very personal. Rosie also honors powerful, impactful women in a special way in her cellar. Grab a glass and join us for a great chat!

We, the Marys, were honored to be invited to celebrate Ridge's 60th anniversary at a luncheon at the winery with legendary winemaker Paul Draper, his team, including head winemaker John Olney and Ridge's new winemakers Trester Goetting at Monte Bello and Shauna Rosenblum at Lytton Springs. They are both super talented, hard working, great people and both a lot of fun too, which is a good thing because they big shoes to fill. So how do you take on winemaking duties at a place so renowned for excellence as Ridge Vineyards? We find out today as we sit down with Trester and Shauna. Trester and Shauna are certainly artists in wine, but they're also artists in other aspects of their lives having to do with music, ceramics and sculpture. We are excited to introduce you to Trester and Shauna! They are dynamic, and bring amazing backgrounds in wine to Ridge. After listening to our super engaging chat, we think you'll agree that Ridge is in great hands for the next 60 plus years to come.

From homemade cranberry wine to a dizzying array of more than 20 award winning wines, Fenestra Winery owner and founder Lanny Replogle  is one of the best known and most respected vintners in California's Livermore Valley. Fenestra is known for crafting everything from Albariño to port and sharing the wines in a historic rustic property at affordable price points. Fenestra is Latin for window and we are excited that Lanny is joining us today to give us a window into his world. According to one local winemaker here in Livermore, Lanny is the historian of Livermore Valley Wine. This former chemistry teacher connects the technical to the artistic when it comes to winemaking and calls upon chemistry to name his art in a bottle: Conjugation, Infrared. Though Lanny retired back in 2018 that never really fully took. The Marys are thrilled that we could coax Lanny out of retirement to join us in person on the pod. He certainly charmed us, and we loved the variety of wines - such good sips at such great prices.

Russell Joyce's family landed in Monterey County, California, thanks to his father's love of car racing and the nearby Laguna Seca Raceway. Ever since, Russell's been in the driver's seat of his family's grape growing and winemaking endeavors at Joyce Wine Company, with a commitment to minimalist winemaking and working with organically grown grapes. Vineyards and wine have been a mainstay of his life, ever since he was a little boy, working with his father, who planted their first vineyard behind the family home. Today, Russell's enjoying sharing his passion with his young son. Russell's also helping preserve the past, recently acquiring a historic winery property in southern Monterey County, in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Russell and his wife Charlotte have been renovating the historic former Ventana Winery site, now home to Joyce Wine Co.'s winemaking facilities. You can visit and taste the Joyce wines here among the vines, and you can also experience the wines at the Carmel Road tasting room. The Marys chat with Russell about his road to wine and the newest chapter in his family's wine journey.

Summer is here, and we're celebrating Americia's pastime, baseball! When you get to the ballpark, you're most likely eating hotdogs and drinking a cold beer. But our guest and friend of the pod, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein, wants you to change up your game and try swirling and sipping a glass of wine instead. He's Major League Baseball's first team Master Sommelier, and Evan's joined the roster of his beloved San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. The Marys are thrilled to welcome Evan to Sip Sip Hooray for a second time at bat. He's back by popular demand! He'll give us the scoop on the lineup of wines to pair with baseball and stadium food. Plus, he's answering wine questions that you, our listeners, have always wanted to ask a somm.

There's a saying that wine is art in a glass. For 5th generation vintner Darcie Kent, that's always been true. Darcie has helped shape the modern Livermore Valley, California wine scene, first with her wine and her paintings, then with a live music venue. For one, she's championing Livermore Valley Grüner Veltliner. And, she's working to bring in new folks into wine, whether through art, music, or, yes, cannabis. We first met Darcie Kent, her husband David and daughters Kailyn and Amanda more than 20 years ago, filming a story with them about their new wine label, Darcie Kent Vineyards, for our NBC TV show In Wine Country. Back then, Darcie was "Almost Famous," thanks to her first wine release of a Livermore Valley Merlot. Her own grapevine painting adorned the label. Fast forward to 2023 and we are so happy to be back with Darcie at Darcie Kent Estate Winery in Livermore Valley. Her girls are grown -- they are 6th generation vintners! The family has a few new ventures in addition to wine! Darcie moved her winery's home base to a spot in the heart of Livermore Valley - famously owned by Bing Crosby - where she combines her wines, her art and a stand alone dispensary. She and her family also opened the Almost Famous Wine Company, a live music venue where wine pairs perfectly with local and national bands.

Vineyards have voices. That's how our guest today, Ted Glennon of Vocal Vineyards in California's Santa Cruz Mountains, approaches winemaking. From DJing to wine, Ted's career has been both vocal and vinous. Wearing his DJ Soigné hat, he spins up a playlist of cool tunes. Now he's making cool wines. Ted combined his music passion with wine, when after working as a sommelier for many prestigious restaurants, he turned his attention to making wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey County. By composing Vocal Vineyards, Ted gives voice to historic vineyards and unsung grape varieties. Check out Ted's DJ Soigné Spotify playlist for great music and wine pairing playlists!

If you're a Chard and Pinot fan then you may know the name Gary Farrell. His namesake winery - Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery - in Sonoma's Russian River Valley, became the go to for lovers of Burgundian, acid driven wines that reflect the character of the vineyard. And these are storied vineyards - Rocioli, Bacigalupi, Durell, Gap's Crown, Sanford & Benedict, Bien Nacido and more. For the past 10 years, Theresa Heredia has been leading the winemaking at this storied winery. Theresa's path to wine was a real journey. Originally a PhD Chemistry candidate, she traded peptides for wine, leaving doctorate studies for testing pH levels in wine. Now she's carrying on founder and Russian River Valley pioneer Gary Farrell's vision with passion, talent and heart, celebrating the winery's 40th anniversary! Theresa's adding her own touch to the winemaking here. But she's also opening the cellar doors wide, making the winery and tasting room a welcoming place for all -- especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.

Give as you go. That's the motto of our podcast guest, Dennis Murphy. As the founder and winemaker at Caprio Cellars in Washington's Walla Walla Valley, Dennis proves that making great tasting wine and making a difference in the world go hand in hand. From building homes and communities to making wine, Dennis' story is inspiring - so much so that he's one of Wine Industry Advisor's most inspring people in wine. We have no doubt you'll admire all that Dennis has done and continues to do. At Caprio Cellars, Dennis is also disrupting the winery hospitality model, offering complimentary (yes free!) wine and food pairings that rival a top restaurant three-course tasting menu. Get to know what motivates Dennis and how he's changing the wine world one glass at a time.

Steve McInytre of McIntyre Family Wines is truly one of the OG sustainable grape growers and winemakers of Monterey County's Santa Lucia Highlands. Steve dreamed of being a rock star, but lucky for us - and the wine world - the wine bug bit. The Marys visit Steve at his Carmel tasting room, the McIntyre Tasting Studio, where we chat about and taste the wines that taste of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Steve helped create the guidelines for the sustainability certification SIP Certified, which stands for Sustainability in Practice. He also helped establish the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA (SLH). Steve also planted and farms about 20% of the vineyards in the SLH. He knows the ins and outs for coaxing true expressions of the regions from vine to glass. We not only taste, but chat about the family's adorable Bernese Mountain dogs. You can visit the dog-friendly McIntyre Tasting Studio in Carmel at the Crossroads Shopping Center. 169 Crossroads BlvdCarmel, CA https://www.mcintyrevineyards.com/Our-Tasting-Room

Sip Sip Hooray! Podcast is in Brazil! The Marys were invited by ApexBrasil to be part of the first American wine journalists to formally tour Brazil's major wine region in southern Brazil. On our visit to Tenuta Foppa & Ambrosi, we were charmed by Lucas Foppa and Ricardo Ambrosi, two high school friends who met in winemaking classes. Yes, that's right - in Brazil you can study wine (but you have to spit) in high school!. These best buddies decided to work together pursuing a life in wine. There's a Napa Valley connection to their story. You'll just have to tune in to find out! Plus we have exciting news on their new American wine project and the import front to share! Grab a glass of wine - preferably Brazilian (look for sparkling wines!) and get to know Lucas and his winery, and how he and Ricardo are carrying forward tradition with a modern spin.

Wine and history have always been intertwined for Sandar & Hem winemaker Rob Bergstrom. To him, every bottle tells a unique story about the place it is grown, as well as being a lens on the wines and winemakers of past eras. While Rob is passionate about Santa Cruz Mountains wine history, he's also focused on moving the story forward. Rob brings forgotten, long lost vineyards forward, but also pushes the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA appellation to and beyond its limits of what is possible in grape growing, varieties and winemaking. Join us for a great conversation!

When Ian Brand came on the Monterey County wine scene, his mission was to work with unsung vineyards and grape varieties. Why? He wants to ensure these special places and wines don't stay in the shadows of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are the varietals most identified with this California Central Coast wine growing region. The Marys meet up with Ian on a busy day at his winemaking facilitiy, where he takes a time out to chat about his unique focus and passion. You can taste Ian's line up from his three wine labels, I. Brand & Family, La Marea and Le P'tit Paysan at his tasting room and bottle shop in Carmel Valley Village, a short drive from Carmel-By-The-Sea.