I'm finally sitting down with the inspiring Ali Smith Story from Smith Story Wine Cellars in Healdsburg, CA! Ali shares her journey from TX to CA and the unique story behind launching the first ever fully crowdfunded winery. You’ll hear about how she and her husband Eric approach winemaking in a way that emphasizes supporting family farmers and growers and using old-world techniques.

You'll hear about:

• How Ali and I met and bonded over two of our favorite common loves
• The importance of following one's passion and the connection between wine and community
• How eloping to Hawaii resulted in the naming of the brand
• Their unique crowdfunded approach to starting Smith Story Wine Cellars
• The concept of 'equanimity' shared during the episode reflects the balance that both wine and yoga bring to life, emphasizing mindfulness
• Why 2025 is the year of Sauvignon Blanc

Join us next week in Part 2!

Check out their website to purchase their delicious small lot wines and set up your visit to heir awesome tasting room in Healdsburg! Be sure to use the discount code "sip'" at checkout to save 10% on 4+ bottle purchases, online or in person. (Ends 3/1/25). You can also become a STORYTELLER and support this small family business in the best way possible by being a member.

Follow Sandwich the doodle on IG

Follow Smith Story Wines on IG

Other Podcast resources and links:

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive Nikki's free Wine Tips download.

Nikki's 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy Nikki and Ali a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Please Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM

Pour yourself a glass and listen in as Laurie Forster (aka The Wine Coach) and host Nikki Lamberti dive into the demystification (is that a word???) of wine. It's an engaging discussion filled with tips, personal anecdotes, and a shared passion for making wine enjoyment accessible, fun and FUNNY for everyone.

They explore why many people feel intimidated by wine, discussing common misconceptions, including:

• The myths surrounding sulfites in wine
• The relationship between wine color and quality
• Laurie shares her journey from a wine novice to a wine coach, emphasizing that wine should be fun and approachable.
• The conversation also touches on food pairings, encouraging listeners to relax and enjoy their wine without the stress of strict rules.

This week's Sip Spotlight Wines:

Laurie's Viberti Nebbiolo

Nikki's Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay (call for availability)

Guest Links and Resources:

Follow Laurie on Instagram

Find her book "The Sipping Point" on Amazon

Listen to the Sipping Point Podcast

Check out her live events and wine course on the Wine Coach Website.

Other Podcast resources and links:

Find and Listen to "Seeing Flavor" with Doctor Hoby Wedler.

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive Nikki's free Wine Tips download.

Nikki's 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy Nikki a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Please Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM

The episode is a poignant reminder of the human spirit's resilience in the face of disaster, as Nikki and her sister Amanda, an LA resident, share their insights on rebuilding lives and communities after wildfires. They dive into the emotional complexity of losing a home (which Nikki and Michael experienced in 2017), the struggle to accept assistance, and the importance of connecting with others who have faced similar challenges in order to move forward and rebuild.

With a focus on actionable advice, from finding long-term rentals to organizing community support, the episode serves as a guide for those affected by the fires and those wishing to help.

Takeaways:

• In times of crisis, accepting help from others can be essential for recovery.
• Organizing your community and forming support groups can provide invaluable resources post-disaster.
• It's important to register with FEMA quickly to access available post-disaster assistance.
• Documenting your possessions with photos or videos can aid insurance claims after a disaster.
• Long-term support for victims of disasters is often needed well after the initial crisis.

Resources if you have lost your home:

• https://coffeystrong.com/wildfire-resources

Recommended organizations we know and trust:

• https://www.coreresponse.org/
• https://teamrubiconusa.org/
• https://dogoodbus.org
• https://wck.org/
• https://www.themalibufoundation.org/

Amanda's Recommended Orgs for Animal Welfare:

http://loveleorescue.org/

https://www.roadogs.org/

https://pawsforlifek9.org/pets-available-for-adoption/

https://bestfriends.org/los-angeles

https://www.deityanimalrescue.org/

https://www.wagsandwalks.org/adopt-la

https://www.caninerescue.club/

Instagram accounts of trusted advocates:

https://www.instagram.com/joeflaniganofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/rita_earl_blackwell/

https://www.instagram.com/debfeldbloom/

Other Podcast resources and links:

Curious about the reference to Nikki and Amanda drinking champagne in the closet? Listen to the episode Sipping With My Sisters.

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive my free Wine Tips download

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Know someone who needs recovery assistance? Please reach out: [email protected]

Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM

Follow Amanda on INSTAGRAM

The rise of NOLO wines (non-alcoholic or low-alcohol alternatives), is attracting attention in the beverage industry. Listen in as Michael and I and our good friends and fellow wine industry professionals, Hoby and Justin, taste through sparkling, white, rosé and red non-alcoholic wines and share our unfiltered responses with each other!

• Learn about the different methods used to create non-alcoholic wines, preserving flavor during alcohol removal
• How are de-alcoholized wines different from the sparkling grape juice we were all served as kids during the holidays?
• Can Nolo wines fully replace traditional wines, or are they just enjoyable alternatives?

Want to hear more of Dr. Hoby Wedler? Listen to this episode where he talks about Seeing Flavor and Tasting Color and our episode talking about the "Come Over October Campaign". Follow him on INSTAGRAM and check out his WEBSITE.

We tasted:

Zilch sparkling rosé

Fre Rose and Sauvignon Blanc

Giesen New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Red Blend

Hand On Heart Cabernet Sauvignon

Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon

Other resources and links:

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive my free Wine Tips download

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

If you missed last week's episode about Dan Richer and Razza Pizza in Jersey City, NJ, listen to that first and this will make way more sense! Click here to listen.

Pull up a chair with my family and I at the amazing Razza Pizza and listen as my friend and owner/chef/author Dan blows us away with :

• His homemade cultured butter topped with CAVIAR!
• 2 different expressions of his world-famous bread and an explanation to my nephew Aidan's great question about how they are different!
• Our pairing with Dan's special Pét Nat Collaboration with a NJ winery and my family's reactions to their first pét nat wine. (Want to learn more about Pet Nat? Listen to my earlier episode all about it! )

Check out Razza and make a reservation to visit here!

Get Dan's Cookbook, The Joy of Pizza Here

You need to watch Somebody Feed Phil (Dan is featured in the NYC episode, Season 2 Ep 6) and we just LOVE PHIL!

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive my free Wine Tips download

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

It's Sip With Nikki's One Year Podcast Anniversary AND the last Episode of 2024! In honor of both, I'm sharing an encore release of our very first episode, with a new intro and teaser for next week!

My guest in our first episode was Dan Richer, a fellow Matawan, NJ born chef and owner of Razza in Jersey City, which was named Best Pizza in North America by "50 Best". He’s the author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Joy of Pizza” my go-to book for at-home pizza making! With 5 James Beard Nominations under his belt, Dan has dedicated his professional career to understanding the intricacies of pizza and practicing his craft daily. We have a blast talking about:

• All the tips to help elevate YOUR at home pizza game (or get started if you haven't yet).
• How he created his own unique famous pizza style
• The importance of using local ingredients and the always hot discussion of 00 flour and San Marzano tomatoes and if they really make a difference...
• An unexpected wine in our Sip Spotlight and our favorite pizza and wine pairings
• How to get out of your own way to pursue your passions like both Dan and I

Links and Resources for you:

Find and Follow Dan @danricher and @razzanj on IG

Find and Follow Nikki on IG @nikkilamberti or on our Sip with Nikki Facebook Page

Get your copy of New York Times Bestseller "The Joy of Pizza" Here 

Order Dan's Collaboration of the BEST Crushed red peppers here 

Here's the link with my affiliate parter Wine.com for this episodes Sip Spotlight wine

Podcast website: www.sipwithnikki.com: Sign up there to be part of our SIP Community and receive resources and update

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

• You can sign up HERE to be the first to know when the wines you are hearing about are available in 2025!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

In last week's Episode (did you listen?), you met my good friends "English Anne", Joan and Erika as we did a fabulous tasting at Tres Sabores Winery in St Helen, CA led by fellow wine educator Jim Olmos.

This week you are hearing the second part of our visit as we pulled 3 of my unfinished 2023 Sollevato wines from the barrel to taste them mid-way through their journey.

I was excited to share my "babies" with this special focus group and their reactions are genuine, interesting and insightful!

Listen as we talk about:

• How wines change as they are aging in the barrel (and why we age them as long as we do)
• Where does tannin come from and why is it important?
• What you can tell by the color of a wine 
• What’s up with a white wine that looks brown?
• Can you /should you bottle age white wine?

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

• You can sign up HERE to be the first to know when the wines you are hearing about are available in 2025!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

If you listened to last week’s episode, you heard me dispel some myths around Zinfandel and sing this grape’s praises! This week you’re coming along to a Zinfandel-centric tasting at the beautiful Tres Sabores Winery in St Helena, CA. 

Tres Sabores is a boutique organic winery owned by winemaker, Julie Johnson and they are celebrating their 25th year making gorgeous wines in the Napa Valley.

Join my dear friends Anne, Joan, Ericka and I, as our wine educator, Jim Olmos, shares Zinfandel in 4 different and exciting wines. You’ll hear their reactions and the story of this special winery and why it drew me in the very first time I visited over 15 years ago. 

Listen to our impressions of:

• Rosé of Zinfandel (is it White Zinfandel?)
• 2022 Zinfandel
• A special Library vintage of Zin (hint- it blew us away...)
• My favorite Zin driven blend "Porque No?"

You can order these beautiful wines or plan your tasting visit to Tres Sabores Here. 

When in St Helena, be sure to visit one of my favorites, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch and bring your Tres Sabores Zinfindel for some fantastic pairings! 

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

When you hear “Zinfandel”, what do you think of? A bubble gum sweet pink wine? A jug wine? Today we’re quickly setting the record straight with what Zinfandel (aka America’s Grape) IS and what it ISN’T.

• What you need to know about this sometimes mis-understood grape
• Why you should be drinking it and what to expect
• Great pairing recommendations

Check out this cool video all about Zinfandel!

Nikki’s Favorite Zins

• Tres Sabores
• Storybook Mountain
• T-Vine
• Lambert Bridge
• Ramazzotti

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

For our 50th Episode, I knew I wanted so do something extra special. So Michael and I flew to Orlando, visited Walt Disney World and got to spend time with George Miliotes of Wine Bar George. George has been on my "list" as a dream guest since starting this podcast, and with a little faith+ trust + pixie dust, dreams can come true!

In his Library room on the second floor of Wine Bar George, we got in to:

• How and Why he become one of 281 Master Sommeliers in the world
• What a train-wreck a holiday table can be and what wine pairs with it
• Why he proudly offers coveted wines $150 an ounce and why they cost what they do
• A delicious (and steal) Sip Spotlight Wine
• His feelings on the controversial wine word, YUMMY
• How Merlot is not a "lesser" grape
• What he drinks when he just needs a hug
• And so much more....

Links and Resources:

Visit George's website to sign up for your 90 Minute Tasting event!

Follow Wine Bar George on Instagram

Visit the Miliote's family's favorite spot Enzo’s Longwood.   

Get our Sip Spotlight Wine that we taste together: Chanrion Cote De Bruilly

Get the famous Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot here.

Did you know I make my own wine here in Sonoma County? My 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!

You NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.

Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]