Sip with Nikki

Did you listen to last week’s episode about Come Over October? If not, check it out! As part of the “Come Over October” Movement, my friends and I got together on Saturday night to Eat, Drink and Be Merry.  (Also a quote from one of my favorite Dave Matthews Songs).

I thought it'd be fun to share a peek into our gathering where we had 2 winemakers (I’m one!), multiple wine hospitality and marketing professionals, entrepreneurs and wine lovers gathering for a birthday celebration. If you’ve ever wondered what “wine people” drink, eat and talk about… this is your behind the scenes invite!

Join us in the kitchen to hear:

• Hosts Dana and Tac share a 30 year recipe tradition
• Max's opinion on why our Sollevato Sangiovese is a Classic Thanksgiving wine
• Friends Sally and Max soft launching their new brand  “Stereograph” to their inner circle
• The group’s verdict on a PUMPKIN SPICE CHARDONNAY (yes, you read that right…) 

Links and Discount Codes:

Allison's Laurent Pierre Champagne that she paired with spicy marinated shrimp

Ashes and Diamonds Cabernet Franc- also a fun spot to visit in Napa

Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot- Jay, Dana, Allison and I all work here and Sally was the winemaker there for 15 years!

Stereograph Wines- Launching 2025

Benevolent Neglect Vermentino- fun new tasting room in downtown Napa

Sylvie  unique and small lot Cabernet Sauvignon

Dana's Spicy Fennel Slaw recipe

Visit the Come Over October Website to learn how you can get involved and find entertaining tips and ideas! And don't forget to use #comeoveroctober to tag your pictures, and videos!

If you need a unique and delicious wine for Thanksgiving try my Sollevato Wines...(yes I'm biased, I make it)! Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order. I can ship to most states in the US!

You NEED some Olives and 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 a Sip with Nikki first, I have 2 ENCORE guests with me: Karen MacNeil (Season 1 Ep 24) and Dr Hoby Wedler (Season 1 Ep 13). The three of us came together to talk about an exciting new initiative that Karen started and that Hoby and I are big supporters of. We gathered in Karen’s office St. Helena and shared a very special bottle of wine from an epic year. This lively and heartfelt conversation touched on so many topics like:

• What is “Come Over October” and why you need to be a part of it!
• Karen’s CAREER HIGHLIGHT moment and why wine is bipartisan
• How understanding texture can help you buy wine
• The Naked Cowboy in Time Square and his connection to all of this (Check out the Video on Karen's Instagram)

Visit the Come Over October Website to learn how you can get involved and find entertaining tips and ideas! And don't forget to use #comeoveroctober to tag your pictures, and videos!

Check out and Follow Hoby’s Instagram to see his inspiring videos!

Shout out to Ray Ray’s Tacos, a new spot on Main Street in St. Helena. We had an awesome lunch there after our recording session. Try the QUESO!

If you need a unique and delicious wine to share with your Come Over October friends, try my Sollevato Wines...yes I'm biased, I make it! Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order. I can ship to most states in the US!

Olives and 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]

Many of us that live in wine country are big fans of Grenache both as a red wine and a rosé... But maybe you don't know much about it and if you're not drinking it you're missing out! Listen in to hear:

• What kind of wines are made from the Grenache grape
• Why it's such a popular option with the foodies and the cool wine kids
• A few of my favorites across different price points

Our Sip Spotlights:

Click on the links to find and ship them to your home!

T-Vine Grenache from Napa Valley

Terrarium Rosé of Grenache from El Dorado

Tres Picos Garnacha from Spain (Great Value!!)

Ramazzotti Wines in Sonoma County- Often sold out but if you are visiting their tasting room in Geyserville, CA you might be able to try and purchase!

Here are a few of my OTHER favorite things and DISCOUNTS for you!

Olives and Olive oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

Sollevato Wines...yes I'm biased, I make it! Use code PODLISTENER 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]

A recent experience at a local restaurant here in the Napa Valley (shout out to Rutherford Grill) really got me thinking about how the right wine can truly elevate an evening and connect people in a world where we are all moving a million miles an hour!

We're Diving into:

• Why we like to sit at the bar
• The magic of Syrah and why you should be drinking more of it
• The importance of a pioneer family and their delicious wine from Napa
• An exciting new movement you need to know about

Here are a few of my favorite things:

Olives and Olive oil from our awesome American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!

Sollevato Wines...yes I'm biased, I make it! Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order!

Mi Sueño- check out their story on the Today Show

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 the podcast platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

It's Harvest time here in Wine Country! We wait all year for our one chance to create beautiful wine for you...and you're coming along for the day! Ride along with Michael and I for the pick, sorting and extra special crush (hint: STOMP) that happened on September 9th. You'll hear:

• The vineyard crew hand picking our Sangiovese grapes
• A special check in with our growers Joe and Travis Ramazzotti
• The sorting process that only allow the BEST grapes into the mix
• How I react to spiders in my hair
• Our creative solution(PIVOT!) to crush the grapes this year (Lucy would be proud)
• All of the emotions that come along with Harvest Day

If you'd like to SEE what you're listening to, check out and FOLLOW our Sollevato Instagram for pictures and videos of Harvest Day.

Our tiny production sustainably produced wine, 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese , just received a Gold Medal and 92 point rating in the Orange County Wine Competition! Order online and Use code PODLISTENER 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.

Check out our Sponsor American Olive Farmer and use the code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order of their fantastic olive oils, vinegars and raw olives for brining!

Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]

All the cool kids are drinking it... are you?

Pétillant Naturel (aka Pét Nat) is a fun, delicious style of gently sparkling wine... and can usually be found for a great price, like the $13 Amuse Bouche I found in my local Trader Joe's! I giving you the intel on:

• What is Pét Nat?
• How is it made?
• Why you should be drinking it?
• What you should be drinking it WITH!

Check out more about this week's SIP SPOTLIGHT wine from Pierre & Antonin.

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

Our tiny production wine/passion project, 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese , just received a Gold Medal and 92 point rating in the Orange County Wine Competition! Order online and Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order.

Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts!

• How? Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! 
• If you haven't already, please FOLLOW the podcast! We have so many more exciting episodes coming out, and if you're not following you might MISS then! Click here to Follow! 

Want to learn more about wine? Get my Wine Tips Cheat Sheet HERE

Questions, suggestions and guest requests? [email protected]

Something SO COOL happened this past week, that I couldn't NOT record a podcast episode about it!

Without giving away too much... You'll hear about:

• 26 years of consistent passion and enthusiasm for ONE THING
• How being patient paid off this week
• My curiosity of how YOU think it went and what you would have done differently!

Song lyrics referenced in the episode:

Oh, how it happened, blew the lid and got a taste, it's some kind of magic

It could happen like it did, Like we awoke, we were still dreaming

When it happened like it did , If I wasn't there, I wouldn't believe it-DJM

This week's Sip Spotlight wine is a Blast from the Past!

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

Our tiny production wine/passion project, 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese , just received a Gold Medal and 92 point rating in the Orange County Wine Competition! Order online and Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order.

Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts!

• How? Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! 
• If you haven't already, please FOLLOW the podcast! We have so many more exciting episodes coming out, and if you're not following you might MISS then! Click here to Follow! 

Want to learn more about wine? Get my Wine Tips Cheat Sheet HERE

Questions, suggestions and guest requests? [email protected]

If you've ever wondered if screw cap = cheap wine and why there are different types of wine bottle closures... you are not alone! Listen in as I:

• Clarify the differences in the types of wine closures
• Simplify why certain bottles have corks and some do not
• If and how the closure relates to the wine's quality
• Answer LISTENER QUESTIONS and give a couple shoutouts!

Check out this cool article about composting your wine corks!

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

My wine, 2021 Sollevato Sangiovese , just received a Gold Medal and 92 point rating in the Orange County Wine Competition! Order online and Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order.

Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts!

• How? Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! 
• If you haven't already, please FOLLOW the podcast! We have so many more exciting episodes coming out, and if you're not following you might MISS then! Click here to Follow! 

Get my Wine Tips Cheat Sheet HERE

Questions, suggestions and guest requests? [email protected]

As a wine educator hosting tastings, I often get asked  “what got you into wine?”

I realized I hadn’t shared this story of my AH HA wine and lightbulb moment with my listeners yet and I thought whether a first time listener or loyal Sip Fan (I see you!), that you’d like to know what brought your gal, Nikki, to wine Country, which eventually led to this very podcast becoming a reality

So this week I’m Sharing:

• My first intro into wine… at Pleasure Island???
• The wine that shut me up (Literally)
• Why I got banned from ordering the wine on the Disney Cruise
• My first impression when visiting the Napa Valley
• A tip for you if you have a passion bubbling under the surface 

Splurge on this weeks Sip Spotlights available on my partner website:

The Ah-Ha wine:

Antinori Tignanello

Another super rare WOW wine for me:

Montes Purple Angel 

Other Resources and Ways to stay connected:

• If you'd like to Support the Podcast, I’ll give you a shout out!
• Check out Nikki's boutique wine brand Sollevato!
• Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts! Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! And If you haven't already, Be Sure to Follow  the podcast!
• Looking to better at understanding wine? Download my Free Wine Tips Cheat Sheet here
• Follow Nikki on Instagram
• Questions, suggestions and guest requests? [email protected]

I'm starting off this episode with a shout out to one of our listeners, Mitchell! Thank you for supporting the podcast, Mitchell and for buying me a glass of...you guessed it… Rosé! (Actually, it’s probably a bottle...)

If you'd like to be like Mitchell and Support the Podcast, I’ll give you a shout out too!

This week we are making sense of Rosé:

• Why you should be drinking it
• How it’s made and why that matters to you
• How to pick the right one

Nikki's recommended rosés:

Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses (France)

Feudo Montoni Rose of Nerello Mascalese (Sicily)

And a special SIP SPOTLIGHT:

Tres Sabores Ingrid and Julia Rosé (Rutherford California)

Other Resources and Ways to stay connected!

• Check out Nikki's boutique wine brand Sollevato!
• Please consider Rating, Reviewing and Following Us on Apple Podcasts! Click Here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with Stars and select "write a review" and let us know what you loved most about this episode! And If you haven't already, Be Sure to Follow  the podcast!
• Looking to better at understanding wine? Download my Free Wine Tips Cheat Sheet here
• Follow Nikki on Instagram
• Questions, suggestions and guest requests? [email protected]