Sip with Nikki

I’m sitting in the middle of Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth, and I can’t help but share what we experienced last night! Michael and I are on a road trip from Sonoma County, and let me tell you, our first stop was nothing short of magical.

The culinary experience we had at the Napa Rose Restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa was out of this world! I woke up with my travel mic in hand, ready to dish all about our AMAZING dinner. It was the Chef’s Counter experience, and trust me, it’s the kind of meal that deserves its own podcast episode.

I'm so excited to share with you:

• How the chef's counter at Napa Rose offers a unique dining experience tailored to guests' preferences.
• The uniqueness sitting at the counter at an open kitchen, watching the chefs in action as they created a custom menu for us
• Tips on how to snag the chef's counter experience, which is hard to do!
• A surprising and great value wine that was a perfect pairing with multiple courses

Visit our website to sign up for the mailing list to know when the 2022 Sangiovese is available!

Follow Sollevato Wines on Instagram

Our 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 Michael 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]

You should Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM !!

In this special Encore Episode, we dive deep into world of Olive Oil, led by the incredible Liz Tagami. She's a 6th generation Californian, who has been involved in defining and nurturing the Lucero Olive Oil brand for over 16 years. She’s a specialty food and cooking equipment industry veteran with 4 decades of international business experience. She and her husband, Donald, now own the Lucero brand and American Olive Farmer website and marketplace for all things olive oil related!

We talk about:

• How a good olive oil can significantly benefit your health
• That the mediterranean diet is all about enjoying leisurely meals with loved ones while savoring delicious food and wine.
• What is Extra virgin olive oil (really), and how it's defined
• How properly storing olive oil is crucial to maintaining its freshness and health benefits over time.

Visit American Olive Farmer Here and use code SIPWITHNIKKI for $10 off your order!

Follow Liz on Instagram

Follow Lucero Olive Oil on Instagram

Purchase the Juicy and jumping from the glass Sollevato Sangiovese that made Liz’s would be socks roll up and down! And for a limited time you'll see a bundle with 2 bottles of Sangiovese and one bottle of Olio Novello.

Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order! 

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine with your donation and get a shout out on a future episode. Please and Thank you!

Follow Sollevato Wines on Instagram

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

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

You should Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM !!

We’re exploring the ins and outs of this fabulous Italian grape, why it deserves a spot on your table, and what dishes it pairs perfectly with—hint: think delicious fresh pasta and rich tomato sauces. Plus, I’m bringing in my other half, Michael, for an exciting tasting of our 2022 Sollevato Sangiovese that we’ve been waiting to uncork.

Here's what you'll hear:

• Why Sangiovese is a very versatile grape that pairs perfectly with a wide range of foods.
• I share why, of all the grapes in California, we chose to make this type of wine
• The winemaking process and how this 2022 vintage is or isn't different than it's counterparts
• We taste the newest Olio Novello from American Olive Farmer and see how it compliments the wine!

Visit our website to sign up for the mailing list to know when the 2022 Sangiovese is available!

Follow Sollevato Wines on Instagram

Our 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!

Check out Evan Goldstein's book "Perfect Pairings"

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy Nikki and Michael 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]

You should Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM !!

In Part 2 (a continuation from last week's episode), I'm chatting with Ali Smith Story of Smith Story Wines, who shares how her handsome and intelligent doodle inspired a heartwarming initiative called Socks for Sandwich!

You'll also hear about:

• This delightful backstory of their dog, Sandwich, and how his quirky name brings joy to many.
• Her remarkable journey as a breast cancer survivor and how it sparked her passion for helping others through her "Brave" label.
• Some Listener Questions where we get to hear Eric Story's insights into managing a business with a spouse and the need for balance and boundaries.
• The importance of good wine and the journey of learning what makes a wine truly special.
• Ali heartfelt story from a recent Taylor Swift concert that ties beautifully to her Brave label and breast cancer awareness.

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

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://www.dogoodbus.com
• 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]