Sip Sip Hooray Podcast

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.

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.

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 when and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 Blvd
Carmel, 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.

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.

Come meet us, the Marys, and sip Santa Clara Valley Wines with us! That's right, Mary B and Mary O are hosting the VIP Sommelier Experience during the Santa Clara Valley Wine Auction on Saturday, March 25 at Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, Calif. We're super excited to support this fantastic and historic California wine region, the birthplace of the state's commercial wine industry. And we are excited to meet you, our listeners, and share a Sip Sip Hooray! toast.

In this special pod episode, we have all the T on the wine auction - including previewing a few auction lots. VIP admission is at 5 pm and gets you special access to the best of the best wines, plus you get to meet us and some of the local winemakers. General admission begins at 6 pm. And yes you can buy tickets now.

Then you're in for a real treat, as we welcome 3rd generation vintner Gene Guglielmo. At 98 years old, Guglielmo Winery is the longest continously operated family winery in the Santa Clara Valley. If you do the math, you'll see that the winery started in 1925, right in the middie of Prohibition! Needless to say, Gene's got great stories about this and more!

Special thanks to Wineries of Santa Clara Valley and the Morgan Hill Community Foundation, which will distribute auction proceeds to local non-profits serving the community. We appreciate being invited to participate in this giving event.

You could say that winemaker David Baird is living the dream at Folktale Winery & Vineyards in California’s Carmel Valley. They say every bottle has a story to tell, and behind the label, David coaxes those stories out of Folktale's estate vineyards. 

If you don’t know the Folktale wines or haven’t visited the winery, you are in for a treat. Folktale is a place you need to know about, a destination whenever you are in Carmel, Big Sur or Monterey. David brings his own touch to the wine program here, and has some exciting projects, including a wine aged under the waves of Monterey Bay.

David’s also a good sport, as he met us, the Marys, at the winery the morning after returning from a seven day trek through Yosemeti Valley. So tune in to find out about the tales the wines of Folktale have to tell as they speak through David’s competent and creative winemaking hands.

Getting to Mount Eden Vineyards in California's Santa Cruz Mountains is an adventure! The drive is up a twisty mountain road with lots of hairpin turns and steep drop offs. A good portion of the road - at the topmost part - is unpaved. But then you arrive at the peak, 2000 feet above Silicon Valley, and the breathtaking views, not to mention the wines, are totally worth the journey.

The Marys sit down with winemaker Jeffrey Patterson, one of the best known vintners in  the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, and all of California. He's been crafting world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from this historic vineyard for more than 40 years. Join us and discover the magic of Mount Eden.

If you've ever picked up a wine book, there's a good chance it's The Wine Bible, by our guest Karen MacNeil. The Wine Bible is so popular that Karen just revised this 3rd edition, and it has surpassed the  one million copies sold mark! But she didn't want to call her book a wine bible. This is just one of the many behind the scenes stories Karen shares with the Marys, on this episode of Sip Sip Hooray!

Karen's career has come a long way since she debuted The Wine Bible in 2001. Now she heads a multimedia wine empire, including a digital newsletter, live virtual wine tastings, leading classes, seminars and influencing what is in all of our wine glasses.

Lest you think Karen is a wine snob, just check out her recent Instagram post, where Karen's answer to the question about holding a wine glass by the stem or bowl was refreshingly unexpected!

So grab a glass and settle in for a fascinating chat with Karen!

We're celebrating bubbles and California's Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County on Sip Sip Hooray! with Scott Caraccioli of Caraccioli Cellars.

Of course the holidays are sparkling wine season, but we believe bubbles are for year round -- and yes, daily sipping 🥂

But there is much more to Caraccioli Cellars than sparkling wine! Scott makes terrific still wines too - Pinot Noir, Syrah, and even Gamay! All from his estate vineyard, the esteemed Escolle Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

When you spend time with Scott, you can't help but be impressed by his passion and vast knowledge of grape growing and winemaking! He and his family put Monterey County on the map for bubbly, making sparkling wine to rival the world's best Champagne. But he's not content to rest on his successes. Scott and his team are constantly striving to improve what they do with every vintage, from going all estate to tapping into the potential of Gamay.

Join us for this great episode and raise a glass to Scott and Monterey County sparkling wine!

If you don't know the wines of Lepe Cellars in Monterey County, you're in for a treat!

The Marys continue their Monterey County wine tour, where we met up with Miguel Lepe, founding winemaker of Lepe Cellars. Miguel is an up and coming winemaker, who, as the county's first Mexican American winery owner, has a great story that you need to know! Thanks to one college course, Miguel's life path was forever changed.

Miguel is a winemaker to watch! Get the dibs first right here. Plus, find out who the model is for his wine label.

Lepe Cellars tasting room is in Carmel-by-the-Sea at Dolores Street between Ocean & 7th.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2021 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, McIntyre Vineyard, Monterey County

2020 Lepe Cellars Petit Verdot, San Antonio Vineyard, Monterey County

Creating opportunity. That’s how our guest, winemaker Denis Hoey, has been living his life. He pursued a dream of making wine, and now that he’s established his own winery, Odonata Wines in the Monterey County AVA, he’s dedicated to bringing others along in the wine industry.

The Marys visit Denis at his Salinas Valley winery - one of seven on the River Road Wine Trail - and we are blown away by his accomplishments and his drive. He makes about 32 different wines - whew! So there’s a taste for everyone. If you love sparkling wine, Odonata is the place to go. Denis loves bubbles, and he makes some fun bottlings, including some sparkling reds!

Join us and be inspired by this passionate winemaker who’s paying it forward.

Her life in wine began when she was a mere seven years old, even though she didn't realize it at the time. How fitting that Iris became the first Black woman to own a winery in the United States, Rideau Vineyard in California's Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara wine country.

However, it was a long journey from growing up Creole in New Orleans, with Jim Crow segregation in full swing, to becoming a legendary business leader. Iris shares her incredible and inspiring story in her memoir From Black to White: One Life Between Two Worlds. Iris can add talented writer and engaging story teller to her list of accomplishments.

We are excited to introduce you to this wine dynamo! Heidi Scheid does it all, from transforming her family's business as grape growers to winemakers, overseeing Scheid Family Wines business operations, developing new brands - including a low ABV wine - to raising a family and summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. 

Whew! The Marys traveled to the Salinas Valley in the Monterey County AVA to meet up with Heidi on the occasion of her family's 50th anniversary in the wine business! 

We ask Heidi to share her secrets for doing all she does (hint: she says it's not always pretty) to how she created Sunny With A Chance of Flowers lower alcohol wines to her passion for mountain climbing. Plus, she pays homage to her father, Al Scheid, a pioneer in establishing the Salinas Valley and Monterey as a premium wine producing region. 

Wines tasted in this episode:

• 2021 Sunny With A Chance of Flowers Sauvignon Blanc

• 2020 Metz Road Chardonnay

* 2019 Scheid Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir

Scheid Family Wines has two tasting rooms! One is in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the other is under a grand 400 ft. wind turbine in the Salinas Valley.

• San Carlos & 7th, Carmel, CA; (831) 626-WINE (9463)

• 972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield, CA; (831) 386-0316

Sip Sip Hooray! thanks the Monterey County Vintners & Growers for hosting our travels. montereywines.org

The Marys are thrilled to welcome a true wine dynamo and new friend to the pod! Meet Philana Bouvier. She's the President of Napa Valley-based Demeine Estates, whose impressive portfolio includes Heitz Cellar, Burgess, Stony Hill, as well as international wineries Champagne Legras & Haas, Domaine de Montille, Racine, La Chablisienne, Ca Rome, and more across France and Italy.

At Demeine Estates, Philana is super lucky to work closely with Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr. - a true wine celebrity who hosts his own show on CNN, Nomad. Philana also works tirelessly to raise up women and minorities, creating more diversity and opportunity for those already working in and those new to the wine industry.

We salute her efforts! Learn all about it as we have a delightful conversation, best savored on a "self-care Saturday." What's that you ask? Tune in to find out why you'll want to add this to your weekly routine.

For this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! we are in Hopland in California's Mendocino County at the beautiful, picturesque winery, Saracina Vineyards.

Tucked into the rolling hills, the mantra at this wine ranch is biodiversity and sustainability. Since its founding by John Fetzer and Patty Rock in 2001, Saracina has been on the leading edge of a holistic approach to grape growing and winemaking. Vineyards share the landscape with majestic 140 year old olive trees, baby goats and alpacas, honey bees, orchards and chicken. Saracina may be best known for wine, but the ranch also produces honey and olive oil. Now owned by Taub Family Selections, Saracina is committed to raising the bar through its dedication to diversity in every aspect.

Winemaker Alex MacGregor is one of those legendary Mendocino characters and you'll love getting to know him. So grab a glass and enjoy our conversation.

Rebecca Hopkins created A Balanced Glass, an online community of winegrowers, winemakers, cellar workers, winery management and ownership, folks in sales and marketing, PR, media, distribution, retail, restaurants, bars and tasting rooms. While it started as a forum for wine professionals, A Balanced Glass - ABG - quickly attracted wine lovers looking to create balance in their lives with wine. ABG is for everyone, where the community shares stories, successes and practical tips.

Beck and her team at A Balanced Glass offer support and suggestions to help you find your way on the path to a balanced life in wine, supporting your health and wellness goals. The community here is welcoming.

ABG's motto: Wine in moderation, choose, care, share.

Find A Balanced Glass on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) @abalancedglass

Sabrine hones her craft daily at Wrath Wines in the picturesque Santa Lucia Highlands of California's Monterey County. This region is known for world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thanks to the sun and wind that define this wine region. Sabrine adds other varietals to the story, including Syrah and a white Italian variety called Falanghina. 

Join us as we talk to Sabrine at her winery, overlooking the estate San Saba Vineyard.

You can visit the Wrath Wines winery, or enjoy pours at Wrath's Carmel-by-th-Sea tasting room.

https://www.wrathwines.com/Visit

Are you watching OWN's The Kings of Napa? We are, and we're loving the bingeworthy show about a powerful African-American family in Napa Valley with secrets and scandals that are juicier than the grapes!

Joining us for this special Sip Sip Hooray episode is creator and showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois. She's the award-winning writer and executive producer behind many of TV's top shows, including ER and Claws.

She's spilling the T on all the behind the scenes action and how she is bringing drama to Black wine culture. Janine shares what it's like to have Oprah greenlight this family drama, where the fashion is fierce and the salacious scandals are non-stop. Wine is a character too, playing a leading role in the family dynamics.

So pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and listen to our conversation with Janine.

The Kings of Napa airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT and 8 pm PT on OWN.

Meet Mark Pisoni. He's a 3rd generation farmer and son of legendary winemaker Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards. While Gary is larger-than-life, Mark is quietly building his own legacy, as grape grower extraordinare, managing what some call Grand Cru vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands: Pisoni, Garys' and Sobranes.

For Mark, it all comes down to farming, nature, wine and family. He farms sustainably, has a beneficial insect insectory at the Pisoni ranch, and is also a beekeeper. On top of all that, Mark is a devoted husband and father.

We first met Mark more than 15 years ago when we filmed an episode of our NBC TV show In Wine Country. We are thrilled to be back with Mark, this time in his home wine cellar, surrounded by great bottles, both consumed and still aging. If these bottles could talk!

We strike a harmonious cord in the wine world with this episode! Say hello to winemaker Shalini Sekhar. She wears many hats in her role as winemaker for Neely Wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Waits-Mast Family Cellars in Mendocino County, among others. She also finds time to make wine under her own label, Ottovino Wines.

Our setting for this (socially distanced) episode, just before harvest 2021, is the beautiful Spring Mountain Vineyard, home of Neely Wine in Portola Valley, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. We are surrounded by vineyards, redwood and oak trees.

Discover how this former classical musician, who excels at the piccolo and aspired to be a concert performer and music teacher, became a leading Indian-American winemaker. She is carving out a path that allows her to persue her dream of teaching into being a mentor to women entering the wine industry, especially women of color. And, she'll share how she balances her very busy career, which involves lots of road trips to vineyards, with being a mom.

Shalini also gives us an impromptu piccolo performance. So pour a glass and enjoy a delightful and engaging conversation!

In his first full, sit down interview, sixth generation vintner Steven Kent Mirassou gives us the inside scoop on his deeply personal book Lineage: Life and Love and Six Generations in California Wine.

Join us, the Marys, as we introduce you to Steven and his stories. Lineage is a page turner - and definitely not your typical wine book. It is a love letter to wine and highly personal, with emotional highs and lows and sprinkled with racy language!

She's bubbly, effervesecent, elegant and ebullent. We're thrilled to have Champagne Laurent-Perrier's Michelle DeFeo join us for a great conversation about one of our favorite beverages, French Champagne.

Michelle DeFeo is the President of Laurent-Perrier U.S. The winery, dating back to 1812, is the largest family-owned and female-led Champagne house.

Join us, the Marys, as we get the inside scoop on all things bubbly! Michelle’s path to Champagne isn’t your typical road - and it started with sneaking a bottle during one of her parents’ parties. So pop a cork and enjoy our sparkling conversation!