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.

The 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 leader in not just insurance, but in finance, politics and wine.

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.

Can 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 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

From 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 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

Her 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 also talk about Wente's commitment to sustainability and continuing the family legacy, in a wine region that has a rich history that rivals Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

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.