37 episodes

Spillin knowledge on "sip" that matters--highlighting black and brown trailblazers, pioneers, risk takers, leaders, and visionaries in the the wine, culinary, and arts industry. #Sipwithus as we hear from an array of incredible individuals amplifying and elevating diversity in their industries.

The Big Sip Gabriela Fernandez

    • Society & Culture

Spillin knowledge on "sip" that matters--highlighting black and brown trailblazers, pioneers, risk takers, leaders, and visionaries in the the wine, culinary, and arts industry. #Sipwithus as we hear from an array of incredible individuals amplifying and elevating diversity in their industries.

    Social Justice Juice: The Potency of Reclaiming and Revitalizing

    Social Justice Juice: The Potency of Reclaiming and Revitalizing

    From displacement to revitalization. From destruction to investment. From exclusion to ownership. Chris Renfro, along with his partner Jannea, founded The Two Eighty Project with the initial goal of increasing equity and diversity within wine to benefit all. The project’s journey began when Chris, a trained horticulturalist, got his chance in 2019 to nourish a once-abandoned vineyard back to life. Tucked away in Alemany Farms, a public park on the backside of Bernal Heights along Interstate 280 in San Francisco, lies a garden and several rows of vines. Next to it? A low-income housing community in the projects. What began as an idea to reclaim a colonized wine industry, soon after morphed into a larger opportunity to revitalize an entire underserved and marginalized community.  Through access, opportunity, and visibility, the vineyard in the city is serving a larger social purpose to address food apartheid, housing injustices, and the importance of providing a safe space for Black and inner-city youth to learn, to explore, to be seen, and to be inquisitive. 
    Since its founding, Chris has realized a vision rooted in building a sustainable food and wine community that nourishes every member of the local economy and ecosystem. Through various collaborations, including a special partnership alongside winemaker Steve Mattiason, The 280 Project launched an apprenticeship program, giving underrepresented individuals a chance to learn about wine, viticulture, and farming education. Chris also co-runs Feed the People Collective, where he and several allies gather once a month, collect fresh goods from Alemany Farm, and cook for the surrounding community for free. Most recently, The 280 Project was named Gerard Basset Foundation’s 2023 award recipient, giving Chris and Jannea’s apprenticeship program the chance to reach new heights.
    In this episode, Chris and I discuss the intersection of wine, activism, entrepreneurship, the historical disenfranchisement of land that drove Chris on a journey to address the inequalities in his surrounding community, and a need to protect and provide Black and brown youth with meaningful solutions. We also explore the idea of true allyship and the monumental difference it makes when you are surrounded by a community who lends their talents, resources and abilities to help you and others thrive. Pour yourself a hearty glass as we serve up juice with a social justice purpose too. 
    Don't forget to follow along on IG, get involved, and support: @280project

    • 1 hr 5 min
    The Breakthrough

    The Breakthrough

    Whether you’re spinning his tunes on your favorite music platform or perusing his online clothing website, Dare 2 Be Different (D2BD), Matthew Osivwemu, also known by his stage name as Oke Junior, is making his homecoming debut this Sunday at BottleRock. After Manifesting his dreams and a 2016 tweet to reality, stating he’d one day play at BottleRock, The Recording Academy recently listed him as one of the 10 Must-See Acts at BottleRock.
    The Bay area native, who moved from Oakland to Napa, was initially inspired by his brother to make and utilize music as a means of expressing himself to work through the trials and tribulations he faced early on in his youth, including losing his father shortly after high school graduation. The Sacramento State alum’s journey to the top is no coincidence. With an unmatched and diverse flow filled with a lineup of singles and albums full of emotion discussing his struggles, mental battles and drive, Oke Junior has attracted listeners all over the world garnering over 2 million streams across various platforms—getting attention from various artists like Mistah FAB, Too Short, 2 Chainz, Nef the Pharaoh, and others. Most recently he signed with United Masters, a testament of this rising hip hop star’s greatness and his official breakthrough in a cut-throat industry. 
    Through his ascension and continuous accolades (did I mention his music was picked up by ESPN?!), Oke Junior never forgets about the community that continuously uplifted and supported him. Reminiscing on his formative years, he works diligently to inspire the next generation by working closely with youth throughout various Napa Valley schools and using music & art to discuss mental health issues impacting their daily lives.  
    Sip with us to learn all about how Oke pays homage to his father every time he takes the stage and be sure to catch him on the Truly Stage at 1pm this Sunday. For my music festival fans who unfortunately can’t attend, we’ve got three killer musical surprises sprinkled in throughout our inspiring conversation. We hope you enjoy!

    • 47 min
    Buzzing for Sustainability

    Buzzing for Sustainability

    After working 15+ years in the beverage industry for household names like Moet Hennessy, Lillet, Bacardi and others, Amanda Victoria is quickly creating her own household name, one canned whiskey cocktail at a time.  With “hot girl summer” at its full peak in 2019, canned cocktails were all the rave. Meant to provide convenience and an alternative “low calorie” option in comparison to beer, this Veteran spirits expert quickly realized people were being heavily misinformed about what they were actually drinking. This misconception ultimately drove Amanda to redefine standards for the industry and the need to do better. What happens when frustration meets passion and opportunity? Something buzzworthy! 
    Having founded several other businesses, this fierce, award-winning Latina entrepreneur and CEO decided to co-find Siponey Spritz Co-- a canned cocktail that is both good for the planet and the people! As Amanda so passionately shared in our Big Sip platica, “The planet is our home, and we should care for it intentionally and mindfully in everything we do.” With an effort to build a legacy not only for herself and her daughter, but also for other LatinX individuals and women seeking representation in leadership level positions, Siponey is the shining star example of what a sustainable and conscientious cocktail can be. Offering a clean lineup of only four ingredients—whiskey, sparkling water, lemon juice, and wildflower honey—Siponey is committed to giving back 2% of their annual revenue to non-profit environmentalists around the world dedicated to saving honeybees, knowing that honeybees are the first step in recovering the environment, one can at a time. At the core of her heartwork lies an honest and authentic desire to leave the world in a better place than how she found it. Because of her focused efforts, Siponey recently became the first B-corp certified cocktail company (woo hoo!) and shares this exceptional badge of honor alongside a small handful of other companies like Patagonia, Toms, Maryam + Company, and more. 
    Sip with us and learn more about “Lady Lillet’s” entrepreneurial journey from founding her consultation company “Aperitif Hour” and the LA Spirits Awards, to how this powerhouse chingona created a quality whiskey-based cocktail that makes you feel hopeful for the planet, all while navigating the pandemic and new motherhood.
    To support big dreams, #drinkbetter and shop #smallbusinesses visit www.shopsiponey.com and be sure to follow along on IG: @siponeyspritzco and @amandavictoriaog

    • 38 min
    Sin Miedo Al Exito

    Sin Miedo Al Exito

    As a Latina entrepreneur, Rocio Rivera has authentically stayed true to herself and her proud Mexican roots, often bringing cultural elements and warm tones into her powerful, rich photography. As we like to say in Spanish, “tiene un Don.” While some might see her as a wedding and lifestyle photographer, she’s quick to share her refusal to be placed in a box and label herself—she simply captures moments in time. As you scroll through her Instagram page, you can’t help but feel warm inside.
    Introduced to photography in high school, Rocio knew she was hooked the moment she realized it was the one class she didn’t want to ditch. She actually looked forward to visiting the dark room! Unapologetic and sin miedo al exito, she sets the tone early on so people don’t get it twisted: photography is not about the money. This talentosa y poderosa mujer might have built an entire business around her passion, but at the end of the day that’s exactly what it is—a passion that gives her the ability to express herself and do what she loves day in and day out. As a first generation Latina who’s witnessed her parents endure back-breaking vineyard work, she doesn’t shy away from understanding that if life was about making money she could easily hustle and do something completely different. However, life is about being fulfilled—and for this talented, successful, and well-known Chingona the ultimate vision of a life fulfilled is simple. Her dream in focus? Moving to Mexico to manage a small coffee shop where she spends her days taking pictures for pleasure, mentoring students (something she started doing the pandemic), and providing a space for people to network. 
    In this episode, we unpack what it’s like being first gen, having to navigate our parent’s expectations of our future versus pursuing what we wholeheartedly desire, toxicity within our culture, and Rocio’s many successes (Did you know she was named as Solano County’s Best Photographer twice?!). We acknowledge how our culture has always placed a special importance on echandole ganas and hustling (mostly out of necessity), while realizing we must also choose and remember to not just work hard, but play harder and truly enjoy all of life’s moments.
    Dive in, take a big sip, and learn more about the photographer friend you never knew you needed in your life! Follow along on Instagram @rociorivera and reach out for questions or to book your next session at rociorivera.photo@gmail.com 

    • 50 min
    Powerhouse Pionera: Laura Catena

    Powerhouse Pionera: Laura Catena

    We’re kicking off 2023 with legendary face of vino Argentina: Dr. Laura Catena. As I sat with Laura I was continuously in awe of her journey and the "Laura of all Trades" that she is. Vintner, author, and scientist are just a few of the titles that come to mind.

    Named by Latino Leaders as one of the 100 Most Influential Latinas, Laura is certainly making her mark on the world. As a 4th generation winemaker, Laura is currently the Managing Director of Catena Zapata, a winery founded in 1902 by her great grandfather Nicola. She is also the owner of Luca Wines and established the Catena Institute of Wine in Argentina, which also has a partnership with UC Davis. With a vision to revive and revolutionize the perception of Argentinian wines, Laura joined her father, Nicola, on a journey to pioneer a new focus in the world of wine – high quality, high-altitude grape growing, an incredibly instrumental tool in the success and perception of Argentine wine to this date. She’s continuously pushing the limits and literally reaching new heights, with some of her vineyards elevated at the highest in the world.

    Through all her great work as a vintner, Laura is also the author of three books—Vino Argentino, Oro En Los Viñedos , and Malbec: Mon Amour—of which have been listed as the best in the world for wine history, featured in Forbes, Decanter, The Washington Post, and included in Oprah Magazine’s list of the World’s Top Women Vintners. As a Harvard and Stanford trained physician and biologist, Laura has spent much of her lifetime flying to and from Argentina and California, to practice medicine as a Doctor. Yes, you read that right—an Emergency Physician at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, which started far before she chose to help her dad put Argentina on the map. There is nothing this powerhouse, inspiring Latina can’t do. Rest assured, through and through, you can guarantee Laura is breathing new life into everything she touches.

    #SipWithUs as we hear from the legendary, Argentinian trailblazer herself! Don't forget to follow along on socials and support the wonderful work BIPOC leaders are doing in wine!
    @lauracatenamd
    @thebigsipseries

    • 47 min
    Latinas In Tech

    Latinas In Tech

    Rocio Van Nierop is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Latinas in Tech, an influential non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting Latinas across the entire tech ecosystem. A force of nature herself, Rocio's drive and tenacity has led the organization in welcoming more than 20,000 women that work at more than 100 of the top technology companies spanning 6 different countries.

    Rocio's prominent role in the tech industry spans for more than two decades and has helped support international technology expansion for markets like Latin America and the Silicon Valley. She was previously the General Manager of Prezi Latin America, making Prezi one of the leading presentation platforms pushing the boundaries of innovation and effective communications. Though she has had much success, her career has not come without challenges, especially as she looks back and acknowledges being the only Latina woman in an equivalent leadership level position in the industry for the first 20 years of her career. According to the PEW Research Center only 2% of LatinX individuals are currently represented in STEM. One of her prominent roles with Latina in Tech is empowering companies to not only seek out diverse talent, but ensure that Latinas in tech are being placed in senior level management positions where they have the ability to lead projects, implement their ideas, and help maintain their growth.

    Besides Latinas in Tech, Rocio has participated on multiple boards of charitable organizations that prioritize the active participation and integration of underrepresented women of color. She co-founded Silicon Valley Day--a conference that brings the best minds of Silicon Valley to multiple cities and countries in Latin America. A proud Bay Area native, born to Mexican parents, Rocio has also given back to her local community by assisting the creation of Red Global de Talentos Mexicanos in San Francisco, as well as the EXATEC alumni group in San Francisco, and serves as an advisor to the cultural festival MEXAM in San Francisco.

    Sip with us til the end--she's got some nuggets of wisdom for the world--and don't forget to support by following along at @latinasintech
    SHOUTOUT TO ALL MY LATINA BEBESOTAS IN TECH!

    • 42 min

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