Shows
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastGhost Hill Cellars: Haunting Stories & Exceptional Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley, Ep 99You 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...2025-01-0940 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastUncorking Sonoma: Insider Tips, Steals and Deals to Save on Wine Tastings, Stays, Dining & Fun! Ep 98We 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...2024-12-1840 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBreaking Wine Rules With Tyler Balliet - Wine's OG Rebel Ep. 97We'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...2024-12-0347 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSip, Gift, Repeat: Our Ultimate Holiday Wine Gift Guide 2024, Ep 96On 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...2024-11-2044 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastFood & Wine's Ray Isle - Wine's Best Storyteller, Ep. 95The 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...2024-11-0749 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBehind the Label: Private Label Wines with Plata Wine Partners' Alison Crowe, Ep 94There'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...2024-10-2447 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBoxed Wine Comes Off The Bottom Shelf w/ Erin Kirschenmann and Jason Haas, Ep 93On 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...2024-10-0951 min
Sip Sip Hooray Podcast'Come Over October,' A New Way to Think About Wine w/ Karen MacNeil, Ep 92Do 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.
Ka...2024-09-2543 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastHot Takes with Tom Wark! DTC Shipping, Anti-Alcohol Movement and More, Ep. 91We'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 A...2024-09-1049 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMargins Wines’ Megan Bell Gets Real on Struggles Small Wineries Face - and How She Overcomes Them, Ep 90We’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!2024-08-1457 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAre You A Fool For Wine? Introducing Los-Angeles-based Fuil Wines, Ep 89A 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...2024-07-2451 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastElevating Women, LGBTQ+ and POC with Jill Osur at Teneral Cellars, Ep. 88On 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...2024-07-1043 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastPort, Dry Douro Valley Wines and More! Discover Symington Family Estates, Ep. 87Why 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.
...2024-06-1956 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThrowing Punches at the Traditional Wine World - Wine Culture with Miguel de Leon, Ep. 86When 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 t...2024-06-0554 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastOur Top Tips For Visiting Napa Valley on a Budget, Ep. 85The 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!2024-05-2259 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWhite Wine is In! The World Wine Guys Say So, Ep. 84Is 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...2024-05-0850 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastLaura Catena - Catena Zapata #1 Vineyard in the World, Malbec, WHO and More! Ep. 83On 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.
La...2024-04-2445 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCork's Comeback, Sustainability and Eliminating TCA Yay! With Amorim Cork, Ep. 82We’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 he...2024-04-0955 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine Words Matter - Meg Maker and A New Language for Wine - Ep. 81Does 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...2024-03-2044 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAlong the Northern Sonoma Wine Road with Podcasters Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, Ep. 77Want to know the inside tracks, the backroads and the best bets 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 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...2024-03-0649 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWinemaker Aaron Lieberman's Secret for Making Wines Bloom at Willamette Valley's Iris Vineyards , Ep. 79Meet 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 con...2024-02-0154 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA Family Wine Affair at Livermore Valley's Omega Road Winery, Ep. 76Here 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...2024-01-0856 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCheers to Our Sip Sip Hooray Top 12 Wine Holiday Gift Guide! Gifts for Every Budget and Last Minute Gifts.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...2023-12-1542 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastRising out of the 2020 Wildfire Ashes - Big Basin Vineyards, Ep. 78Three 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...2023-11-011h 04
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastNapa Valley's Best Wine Tasting Experience! Gentleman Farmer Wines - Joey Wolosz and Jeff Durham, Ep 75We 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 a...2023-10-1845 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Trending Thirst for Non-Alcoholic Wines with Studio Null Wines, Ep. 74Welcome 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 D...2023-10-0346 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA love affair with Rhone varieties - Kim and Todd Engelhardt of Lion Ranch Vineyards Ep. 73Sip 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...2023-09-2052 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine and Wine Tank Photography - Livermore Valley's Rosa Fierro Cellars, Ep. 72If 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 A...2023-09-0650 min
Wine Road: The Wine, When & Where of Sonoma CountyMary Babbitt and Mary Orlin from Sip, Sip, Hooray! PodcastEpisode 182 Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery Episode 182 | Mary Babbitt and Mary Orlin from Sip, Sip, Hooray! Podcast Sponsored by Ron Rubin Winery This week we have had the absolute pleasure to host Mary Babbit and Mary Orlin (the Marys!) from Sip, Sip, Hooray Podcast! We learn how their wine journey led them from an Emmy-Award winning TV show "In Wine Country" to their own podcast, Sip, Sip Hooray! Cheers! Links: Sip, Sip, Hooray! Sponsored by: Ron Rubin Wine...2023-08-2436 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMeet the New Ridge Vineyards Winemakers - Trester Goetting and Shauna Rosenblum, Ep. 71We, 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...2023-08-221h 13
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastHistory, Chemistry and the Best Wine Prices - Livermore Valley's Fenestra Winery, Ep. 70From 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 Val...2023-08-0743 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA New Chapter for Carmel Valley's Joyce Wine Co. with Russell Joyce, Ep. 69Russell 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...2023-07-1844 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMLB's 1st Master Sommelier - And Your Wine ?s Answered! Evan Goldstein, Ep. 68Summer 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...2023-07-051h 07
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine, art, music and cannabis at Darcie Kent Estate Winery with Darcie Kent, Ep. 67There'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, D...2023-06-211h 04
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine and Music - DJ Soigné is in the house! Vocal Vineyards' Ted Glennon, Ep. 66Vineyards 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 g...2023-06-0656 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastGary Farrell Winery - Theresa Heredia, Ep. 65If 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, l...2023-05-2450 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCaprio Cellars - Dennis Murphy, Ep. 64Give 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...2023-05-0846 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA Sustainable Wine Pioneer- Steve McIntyre, McIntyre Family Wines Ep. 63Steve 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...2023-04-2551 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBrazil's Tenuta Foppa & Ambrosi - Lucas Foppa, Ep. 62Sip 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...2023-04-1157 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSandar & Hem - Rob Bergstrom, Ep. 61Wine 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!2023-03-2756 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastIan Brand, I. Brand & Family Wines, Ep. 60When 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...2023-03-1346 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSanta Clara Valley Wine Auction and Guglielmo Winery with Gene Guglielmo, Ep. 59Come 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...2023-02-2357 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBrazilian Wine 101 with Mauricio Roloff, Ep. 58We have a confession! The Marys had never sipped a Brazilian wine before Apex Brasil invited us to join a small group of wine journalists to tour the country's main wine region.
The reaction from most of our friends and family -- they make wine in Brazil? Oh yes, and as we discovered, it is darn good wine too.
So we invite you to get in on Brazilian wine now -- we're here to tell you Brazil's wines are the next thing in wine. To help you navigate what's happening in this South American wine pr...2023-02-091h 09
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastFolktale Winery & Vineyards - David Baird, Ep. 57You 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, includi...2023-01-2446 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Magic of Mount Eden Vineyards - Jeffrey Patterson, Ep. 56Getting 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 c...2023-01-0959 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Wine Bible 3rd Edition is Here! Karen MacNeil, Ep. 55If 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 w...2022-12-221h 04
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBERNARDUS WINERY - CARMEL VALLEY, EP. 54Buckle up for the newest Sip Sip Hooray! podcast episode!
When you think of wine in Carmel Valley, the first label that comes to mind is Bernardus. This Monterey County winery led the way in establishing the Carmel Valley AVA as a world class wine region.
The Marys are excited to be back at Bernardus Winery & Vineyards in beautiful Carmel Valley Village! We filmed several episodes of our NBC TV show In Wine Country here. We're at the Bernardus tasting room to catch up with winemaker Dean De Korth and grape whisperer Matt Shea. These guys are the OGs of...2022-12-0850 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCrushed by Brian Freedman Wine and Climate Change - Ep. 53Climate change is on eveyone's mind, especially when it comes to the world's grape growers and winemakers. Wildfires, drought, water scarcity, hail, floods, extreme weather, oh my! While there's much reason for concern, our guest today says there is hope. It is not all gloom and doom, but we must be mindful.
Let's be clear, climate change is happeing now.
The Marys welcome Brian Freedman, author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate is Altering the Way We Drink. In his new book, Brian profiles wine growers and winemakers in eight global regions facing climate adversity...2022-11-1750 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCaraccioli Cellars - Scott Caraccioli, Ep. 52We'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...2022-11-0349 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAlice Feiring - To Fall in Love Drink This, Ep. 51The Marys are honored to have wine writer extraordinare Alice Feiring on our pod! Acclaimed wine writer Alice Feiring has been in love with wine for decades. She started her sensory training at very young age, sniffing everything along with her grandfather. Little could she have imagined then growing up to be the OG natural wine movement writer, or the person to take down the homogenous ”Parkerization” of wine, a style favored by one wine critic that changed the way many wines around the world were - and still are made. Now Alice has released her sixth book, To Fall in Lo...2022-10-191h 01
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastLepe Cellars - Miguel Lepe, Ep. 50If 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...2022-10-0644 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastDenis Hoey - Odonata Wines, Ep. 49Creating 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 sparklin...2022-09-1555 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Iconic Iris Rideau, Rideau Vineyards, Ep. 48The Marys have a new friend in wine! Join us for an engaging conversation with the woman who just doesn't know how to stop! Sip Sip Hooray to that!
Are you ready to meet the tour de force that is Iris Rideau? From a young age she always had the determination to make hers and the lives of others better. Iris' life is one of many first and of breaking multiple glass ceilings. Her illustrious career began in the front office of a Los Angeles insurance company, and from there she paved the way to being a...2022-09-011h 02
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastHeidi Scheid, Scheid Family Wines, Ep. 47We 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 sa...2022-08-1750 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastPhilana Bouvier of Demeine Estates, Ep. 46The 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...2022-07-1454 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMendo Blendo - Saracina Vineyards' Alex MacGregor, Ep. 45For 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...2022-06-1948 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA Balanced Glass Rebecca Hopkins, Ep. 44Can you have a healthy and balanced life with wine? Our guest today says yes!
Wine is plentiful in so many professional and personal situations and it can be challenging to navigate, especially if you feel like pulling back.
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...2022-05-1652 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWrath Wines - Sabrine Rodems, Ep. 43From behind the scenes of the theater and opera stage to behind the wine label, Sabrine Rodems gave up the bright lights of theater and film production for producing bold wines.
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 he...2022-04-1459 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastNiki Wente of Wente Vineyards, Livermore Valley, Ep. 42Her family is California's First Family of Chardonnay. Most Chardonnay vines planted in the state are from the Wente clone, developed in Livermore Valley at Wente Vineyards by Niki Wente's family.
So you can imagine Niki has big shoes to fill. But as a 5th generation winegrower, she's stepping up to the challenge in her role as Viticultural Manager, overseeing vineyards operations and grape growing.
We, the Marys, met up with Niki at the historic Wente Vineyards winery, where we chatted about - and yes sipped - Chardonnay, as well as her own Rosé. We a...2022-03-1654 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Kings of Napa - Janine Sherman Barrois, Ep. 41Are 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...2022-02-1450 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMark Pisoni, Pisoni Vineyards, Ep. 40Meet 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...2022-01-2757 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWinemaker Shalini Sekhar - Neely Wine and More! Ep. 39We 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.
2022-01-111h 12
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCarboniste Cali Sparkling Wine - Dan Person, Ep. 38Why should California try to be Champagne? That's the question Napa winemaker Jon Person posed to himself and his wife Jacqueline.
When it comes to bubbly, Champagne‘s allure is clear. But thanks to folks like Dan and Jacqueline, there’s a new style of California bubbly. Think sunshine in a glass, and breaking all the traditional rules. Dan says sparkling wine is an every occassion wine - and we agree!
Join us for a super fun episode and get to meet the man behind the critter labels of this new sparkling wine style. You'll defi...2021-12-1553 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastClos de la Tech - T.J. Rodgers, Ep. 37If you think tech and wine don't go together, you haven't met our guest, tech entrepreneur T.J. Rodgers.
We all know stories about tech world titans who buy - or launch - their own winery, which often becomes a vanity project.
But that's not the case for T.J. Rodgers. The man who created Cypress Semiconductor Corporation is the mastermind behind Clos de la Tech winery in California's Santa Cruz Mountains - and he is totally hands on in his endeavor.
From inventing tractors to navigate his vineyards' extreme steep slopes to developing winemaking processes now used by UC...2021-11-091h 10
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastOlympian Natalie Coughlin, Gaderian Wines - Ep. 36Have we got an Olympic-sized episode for you! We are thrilled to welcome 12-time Olympic medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin to Sip Sip Hooray! She won gold in the pool, now she’s winning gold in the vineyard.
Join us, the Marys, As we dive deep into what drives Natalie, her Olympic career and her new wine label Gaderian Wines. Natalie says yes to opportunity when it presents itself to her. That’s led to a wide range of experiences, including being a reality show dance competition contestants, both competitor and judge in cooking competition shows, a Sports Illustrated swimwear model, and...2021-09-2058 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastA Wine Lineage: Steven Kent Mirassou, Ep. 35This episode is a Sip Sip Hooray! podcast exclusive!
What does lineage mean when it comes to wine? For our guest today lineage means everything. Steven Kent Mirassou’s family is America’s oldest winemaking family - older than the Mondavi’s, the Sebastianis and the Gallos. He’s now working side-by-side with the seventh generation. If you are a Pinot Noir lover, you can thank Mirassou’s ancestors for bringing the some of the first pinot vine cuttings to California.
In his first full, sit down interview, sixth generation vintner Steven Kent Mirassou gives us the insi...2021-08-311h 09
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSamra Morris - Alma Rosa Winery, Ep. 34This Sip Sip Hooray! episode is all about courage! As a child growing up in Bosnia, Samra Morris dodged incoming fire just trying to go to school. This brave woman survived her war-torn country, studying winemaking in her native Sarajevo. Now Samra’s following in the footsteps of a wine world legend - Richard Sanford at Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara wine country in California. She is also California's first Bosnian winemaker.
You don’t want to miss Samra’s story! Join us, the Marys, for a truly...2021-08-1143 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastChampagne Laurent-Perrier - Michelle DeFeo, Ep. 33She'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 sparkli...2021-07-231h 16
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAlan Viader, Viader Vineyards, Napa - Ep. 32Resilience. Determination. Perseverance. These three words describe our guest, Alan Viader of Viader Vineyards & Winery. Resilience to continue in the face of wildfire devastation. Determination to grow grapes on the steepest, rockiest slopes of Napa Valley's Howell Mountain, and perseverance to survive not one but two major fire events.
Join the Marys as we get right into a story so relevant for today's wineries. With fire season here, and the continuation of drought in California, we are so inspired by Alan, who is making the wines at the pioneering winery his mother Delia Viader started in 1986. Alan...2021-07-0653 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastJulia Coney, Founder, Black Wine Professionals - Ep. 31Julia Coney is a powerhouse in the wine world. This wine journalist and entrepreneur, a former beauty writer, who loves perfume and Champagne, is changing how the world views the wine industry. She founded Black Wine Professionals in the wake of the George Floyd shooting to recognize black people working in all aspects of wine, offering visibility, support and guidance.
Tune in as the Marys get to know this mover and shaker - her struggles being a black woman in an industry not traditionally known for diversity, how she is working to overcome that and help others...2021-06-0752 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSOMM TV Director Jason Wise - Ep. 30When documentary director Jason Wise premiered SOMM at the Napa Valley Film Festival in 2012, he didn't imagine the runaway success of the film. In our far ranging interview, Jason gives the Marys the behind the scenes scoop and previews the many (and we mean many) new video and movie projects coming soon to your home computer and smartphone. You won't want to miss this lively chat!
Nearly 20 years later, Wise has turned SOMM into the online streaming juggernaut SOMM TV, home to a plethora of full feature wine and food movies, mini documentaries and videos. The new...2021-05-2058 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastJudy Jordan of Geodesy Wine - "Drink Well. Do Good." Ep. 29Have we got an inspirational episode for you! Meet Judy Jordan, the woman who is helping make a difference for young women beginning their careers in wine agriculture, cellar work and hospitality. In her words, "Drink Well. Do Good." We couldn't agree more.
Judy created J Vineyards, a predominately sparkling wine house in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County in 1987 at the age of 27. Her parents started Jordan Winery in Alexander Valley. The winery became known for hospitality and creative, delectable pairings. When Judy sold the winery in 2015 she was able to pursue her dream of...2021-05-0347 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastJoy Sterling - Iron Horse Vineyards, Ep. 28We have a sparkling episode for you! The always bubbly Joy Sterling of Iron Horse Vineyards in the Green Valley AVA of Sonoma County is our guest. She and her family are committed to caring for the earth through wine. As we celebrate Earth Month, Joy shares her commitment to protecting the oceans, regenerative agriculture and working to secure broadband access for everyone.
Join us - with a glass of sparkling wine in hand - and get to know one of our most favorite people in the wine world! You'll want to visit the down-to-earth outdoor tasting...2021-04-2045 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Chardonnay King: Rob Lloyd, Lloyd Cellars - Ep. 27Do you love bold, indulgent and decadent California Chardonnays? Then you'll love our guest, Rob Lloyd. He's the winemaker you can thank for delivering Cali sunshine in a glass, perfected at La Crema and Rombauer. Now Rob and his wife Bonnie have their own venture, Lloyd Cellars and Prescription Vineyards, but he still makes wine with long running winery clients such as Jessup Cellars and Handwritten Wines.
Join us to learn about Rob's Chardonnay-powered journey to wine, his musical preferences, and why we owe Bonnie great thanks for encouraging Rob to start his own label, a labor...2021-04-0637 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastLarry Schaffer - Tercero Wines, Ep. 26How do you take your coffee? That's the question winemaker Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines asks when you visit his Los Olivos, CA tasting room. What's your coffee preference have to do with wine? The Marys were wowed by this! Join us and find out why.
Schaffer makes his Tercero Rhone varietal wines in Santa Barbara County's Santa Ynez Valley. He's one of the most straight talking winemakers we've ever met! So pour a glass of wine, and get ready for a fun and entertaining chat, and discover why you need to try Larry's wines.2021-03-2349 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastMaster Sommelier Evan Goldstein - Ep. 25We are excited to have Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein as our 25th episode guest! Evan was the youngest person to pass the Master Sommelier exam, and, as you can imagine, has had quite the career journey since! We worked with Evan during our In Wine Country TV days, and he was a favorite guest because he makes wine easy and fun! Now he's helping you Master The World of wine in your own home. It's like having a private tasting with several Master Sommeliers, who curate tasty and interesting blind tastings just for you. So grab a glass, tune...2021-02-2553 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe G.O.A.T. Wine - Margaux Alvarez, Ep. 24Chateau Margaux is in the house! Winemaker Margaux Alvarez that is. If you're a Titan Games fan then you may have seen our guest running the obstacle course, defying time and gravity, to claim Mount Olympus in victory as the Season 2 West Region Champion. Margaux is fierce in the gym and in competition, and she also brings it to making wine.
After all, who else could call her or his wine The G.O.A.T. Wine?
Grab a glass, or a pair of dumbells, and enjoy our conversation, and learn which came first, weights...2021-01-2844 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAlfaro Family Vineyards: Ryan Alfaro - Ep. 23There's one thing to know about Alfaro Family Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You are guaranteed great wine and a good time. This family-owned winery is in Corralitos, at the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. It's a mecca for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lovers, but at Alfaro, you'll also find Syrah, Merlot, and yes, Gruner Veltliner, that crisp and aromatic white wine from Austria that is growing in popularity here. In fact, the Alfaros are leaders in Gruner, planting the first vineyard within the appellation.
Richard and Mary Kay founded the winery after...2021-01-1938 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastLaura Catena - Gold in the Vineyards, Ep. 22What makes a great vineyard great? Laura Catena, of Argentina's leading Catena Zapata Winery and the Catena Institute, set out on a mission to discover what the world's best wines have in common. Instead of telling these vineyard stories the traditional, boring way, Laura takes Gold in the Vineyards readers through an illustrated, colorful, fun and compelling journey around the world, weaving in tales of love, war, betrayal, sibling rivalry, royalty and more, that keep you turning the page to find out what happens next.
Tune in to meet Laura - a woman who balances working with...2020-10-2649 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSupport Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries Fire Relief - Ep 21On this special edition of Sip Sip Hooray! we hear the incredible stories of bravery, heroism and spirit from vintners most impacted by the August 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fires. You will be riveted by their stories, but you'll also find hope as they assess the aftermath and the path forward. Equally important, we share the best ways you can help the recovery efforts now. Read more. 2020-09-3054 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastThe Fizz is Female Blaine Ashley Ep. 20We've got a sparkling edition of Sip Sip Hooray! Our special guest is the bubbly Blaine Ashley, aka Champagne Blaine and founder of New York Champagne Week. Meet the woman who is bringing Champagne to everyone and helping all of us discover those smaller producers crafting delicious bubbles across France's Champagne region.2020-08-3048 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastPhil Long of Longevity WinesIt's all about wine with heart on this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! We welcome Phil Long, winemaker and co-founder, with his late wife Debra, of Longevity Wines in California's Livermore Valley, east of San Francisco and San Jose. Phil's a busy man! He just inked a national wine distribution deal recently took on the role of president of the Association of African American Vintners. We talk Covid, diversity, hearts and wine.2020-08-2749 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastS.O.S. - Save Our Sommeliers! Ep. 18There's a saying in the wine industry that sommeliers are the last to be hired and first to be fired. This has never been truer than in the time of coronavirus. A staggering majority of somms were furloughed, laid off or let go permanently. But thanks to a handful of somms and wine companies, these wine professionals are getting the attention and help they need. On today's episode, we talk about what's been happening to somms since March 2020, assistance programs, what role and operational changes may be adopted permanently, how the country's reckoning with diversity and...2020-06-2557 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWhat Winery Reopenings Look LikeAcross the country winery tasting rooms are slowly coming out of covid-19 lockdown. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has just given the green light to winery reopenings across the state, depending on local county guidelines. So what does that mean for wineries and winery guests like all of us? Join us for the second in our coronavirus wine conversations series for a frank look at how three wineries in three California wine regions have reopened or are preparing for reopening. What's changing? What's staying the same, if anything?2020-06-0647 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine in the time of coronavirusOn this special edition of Sip Sip Hooray! we have a roundtable chat with three vintners who have been, and still are, connecting with wine lovers via Zoom tastings, personal deliveries, wine care packages and more. We welcome Stephanie Honig of Honig Vineyard & Winery in Napa Valley, Bradley Brown of Big Basin Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Ann Kraemer of Yorba Wines and Shake Ridge Vineyard in Amador County to the show to tell us how the coronavirus has affected their wineries, and what they are doing to keep all of us connected to the wine world as...2020-06-0232 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSummerWood Winery Mauricio MarchantThe Marys visited SummerWood Winery in Paso Robles, where we met the charming winemaker, Mauricio Marchant, in June 2019. We talk to the Chilean native about his journey through wine, starting at Chile's Concha y Toro, with stints in Oregon and Napa Valley, before landing in Paso. Come along with us and discover what role music plays in making happy, delicious wine!2020-04-3023 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastKukkula Winery: Kevin JussilaThe scenery along the drive to Kukkula Winery in Paso Robles took our collective breaths away! We were smitten even before meeting owner, winemaker, and, jack of all trades, Kevin Jussila. So grab a glass of wine, sit back, close your eyes, and imagine you are with us in Kukkula's tank room. We discover how Kevin built his dream winery rock by rock, and he tells all about kippis. Cheers!2020-04-0548 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastParty in a CanAre you on the hard seltzer bandwagon yet? White Claw, Truly, Bon & Viv, Smirnoff, Henry's, Pura, boozy bucha and tipsy teas are all vying for your tastebuds. Wondering if these libations are worth your cold hard cash? And what's really in them? In this episode the Marys pop the top on a wide range of sparkling bevvies. We give you our honest take or take down of the hottest, trendiest brands in the drinks biz.2020-02-1834 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSpirits Out of Wine? Paso's Re:Find Distillery Ep. 12Join the Marys as we visit Alex Villicana, who, with wife Monica, kicked off Paso Robles' modern day spirits movement, establishing Re:Find Distillery, a micro craft spirits producer, at the Villicana winery. Vodka and gin from wine grapes? Find out how the Re:Find folks do it.2019-12-1340 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastAncient Peaks' Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins - Ep. 11We are thrilled to have a real life cover girl on our show! Meet Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins, a total dynamo in the wine world. Her title at Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita, Calif., which is just south of Paso Robles, is VP of Operations, but she does so much more. Amanda is a tireless promoter of her winery and the Santa Margarita and Paso Robles wine regions. She's also a rancher, mom and she has a talent for wrangling people together for a good cause.2019-10-1749 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastCrocker & Starr's Pam Starr - Ep. 10We're headed to Napa Valley to interview a star of the wine world. Meet Pam Starr, co-founder and winemaker extraordinaire of Crocker & Starr. She's the queen of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, but that's not all! Pam's path to wine started with a plan to go to dental school. Fortunately, wine won out.2019-09-2648 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastShafer Vineyards' Doug Shafer - Ep.9In Napa Valley, the name Shafer is synonymous with grit and determination. That's what it took for John Shafer, one of the valley's pioneering winemakers, to start his namesake winery. Shafer's son Doug now carries the legacy forward, and the Mary's road tripped it to meet up with a fellow wine podcaster and awesome storyteller.2019-08-0542 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastOpen That Bottle Night! - Ep. 8In this episode of Sip Sip Hooray! we talk about a fabulous event called Open That Bottle Night. Tune in to find out what it is all about and how to join in our Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) challenge!2019-07-1630 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastRhonda Wood, Wood Family Vineyards - Ep. 7When the winery motto is “It’s all good at Wood,” you can’t help but have fun at Wood Family Vineyards in California’s Livermore Valley. Commercial airline pilot turned winemaker Rhonda Wood’s path to wine is inspiring.2019-07-0135 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine Country, The Movie - Ep. 6Have you seen the movie Wine Country yet? We watched it as soon as it was available on Netflix. What did we think?2019-06-1231 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastBonny Doon's Randall Grahm - Ep. 5Iconic. Pioneer. Rebel. Rule Breaker. Visionary. These words all describe the one and only Randall Grahm, winemaker and face of Bonny Doon Vineyard. The Marys had the honor of a visit by Randall to their Sip, Sip, Hooray! podcast studio.2019-04-0337 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastRob Jensen of Testarossa Winery - Ep. 4Twenty five years ago Rob Jensen was immersed in the high tech world of Silicon Valley. He and his wife Diana shared a love of wine and after volunteering during harvest at a local winery, decided to try making wine themselves. Like a true tech start up, they turned their garage into a home winery. Well a couple barrels led to a few more, and then many more.2019-02-2237 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastWine Buzz: Four Buck Chuck is Here; Prisoner Wine's New Home - Ep. 3On this episode of Sip, Sip, Hooray! the Marys dish on what's buzzy in the wine world, from a huge globe vessel for aging wine to The Prisoner wine's new Napa Valley digs.2019-01-1527 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastDane Stark of Page Mill Winery - Ep 2He’s a father of three, husband, musician, composer, serious athlete (runner and Iron Man competitor) and occasional poet. Add winemaker to that list, and that sums up our guest Dane Stark, of Livermore Valley's Page Mill Winery.2018-12-1840 min
Sip Sip Hooray PodcastSip Sip Hooray! Podcast Preview - Ep. 1The Sip Sip Hooray! wine podcast is here. On this sneak peak co-hosts Mary Babbitt and Mary Orlin introduce you to the wine-soaked show, and catch you up on what they've been up to since the "In Wine Country" NBC TV days. No wine snobs allowed, because wine is always fun on our podcast.2018-12-0319 min