Wine & Chisme

The Wine & Chisme is where meaningful conversations flow as freely as the wine. Host Jessica Yañez creates an intimate space for professionals, artists, and changemakers from communities of color to share their unfiltered stories of career, love, and transformation. Each week, guests "spill the wine" through authentic chisme (Spanish for gossip) on their own terms—challenging narratives about whose voices deserve to be heard. More than a podcast, it's a celebration of untold stories that builds bridges and creates lasting change. Grab a glass and join the conversation every Wednesday. #WineAndChismeWednesday

  1. Vintner Voices: Ortega Family Wines

    3D AGO

    Vintner Voices: Ortega Family Wines

    Wines We're Drinking 2021 Ortega Family Wines Carneros Pinot Blanc, Napa Valley. 100% Pinot Blanc sourced from the Carneros appellation. Tasting notes: stone fruit, lemongrass, and a bright tart lime finish. A food-friendly white with great acidity that shines on a hot day, especially alongside spicy food or cheese. Available at OrtegaWines.com. Listener discount available through April 30th. Mention Wine and Chisme when you order. Episode Description: Six years in the making, mi gente, and this one was worth every single second of the wait. Jessica sits down with Jesus Ortega Jr., owner and winemaker of Ortega Family Wines, for a conversation that is equal parts history, heart, and honesty. Born and raised in the vineyards of Yountville, Napa Valley, Jesus is the son of immigrants who came to California through the Bracero program in 1964. His family has worked the land for three generations. Now, Jesus is doing something none of them did before him: he owns the brand. In this episode, Jessica sips on the 2021 Carneros Pinot Blanc while Jesus shares the full journey, from a kid who didn't want to pick up pruned canes in the rain, to a self-taught winemaker who runs his own label out of the very vineyards where he grew up. He talks about the winemaker who took a chance on him, the harvest party that changed everything, surviving COVID as a brand-new label, and why his philosophy is simply: farmer first, winemaker second. They also get into the current state of wine consumption among younger generations, what makes small producers different from mass producers, the comeback of Merlot (gracias a Dios), California Malbec vs. Argentinian Malbec, and a little wine magic trick involving your dominant nostril that you will absolutely use at your next dinner party. And yes, there is a discount situation. You have to listen for it. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro + Opening Toast: 2021 Carneros Pinot Blanc 3:30 Reading Jesus's Bio + The Bracero Program 6:00 Growing Up in the Vineyards of Yountville 9:30 The Barbecue That Started It All (and the oaky Sauvignon Blanc) 12:00 Getting Sent Home for Chewing Gum 14:30 From Tasting Room to Vineyard Manager 17:00 Jessica's Origin Story: Strawberry Hill at a Quinceanera 20:00 "We Not Only Work the Land, We Own the Brand" 22:00 Wine as a Story in a Bottle 25:00 Launching the Latiné Wine Brand Directory 30:00 Deciding to Start Ortega Family Wines in 2020 33:00 Getting COVID as a Brand-New Winemaker 38:00 How His Sense of Smell Came Back Stronger 41:00 Farmer First, Winemaker Second 44:00 The Accidental Syrah-Malbec Blend 46:00 From Harvest to Bottle: The Winemaking Process Explained 50:00 Current Lineup: Pinot Blanc, Cabs, Malbec, and More 53:00 Starting Wine: Pinot Noir and Why Merlot Is Making a Comeback 58:00 The Sideways Effect on Merlot 1:00:00 The Younger Generation and Wine Consumption 1:03:00 Why Small Producers Are Different 1:06:00 The Dominant Nostril Wine Trick 1:10:00 What's Coming Next from Ortega Family Wines (a 2022 Malbec!) 1:14:00 Listener Discount + How to Order Connect with Ortega Family Wines: Website: OrtegaWines.com Instagram: @ortega_family_wines Wine Club, Private Tastings, and Winemaker Dinners available via the website Connect with Wine and Chisme: Latiné Wine Brand Directory: thewineandchismepodcast.com Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube: @wineandchisme

    1h 13m
  2. March Chisme: A LOT Happened. We Felt ALL of It.

    MAR 25

    March Chisme: A LOT Happened. We Felt ALL of It.

    What We're Drinking: Jessica: Rúakh Wines out of Paso Robles, specifically the "Somos Cafe de Olla" red blend (56% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot). Owned by Sam Esquivel, a San Diego native whose interview episode drops the first Wednesday of May. Jessica Yañez and her partner in crime Erika Sanchez are back with a full glass of wine and a whole month's worth of chisme to spill. From heartbreaking headlines hitting close to home, to Hollywood takeovers, to what happened at the Oscars, to the state of your wallet right now, the March Chisme episode covers the news, the nostalgia, and the nunca-ending commentary that lives rent-free in our heads. Erika came prepared. Jessica came with feelings. Together, they gave you everything. This one hit differently. Jessica and Erika unpack the New York Times five-year investigation revealing sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez, including a statement from civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, who says she was assaulted by him and that he fathered two of her children. The conversation goes deeper into the systemic silence women are expected to maintain "for the greater good," the question of how to separate a man from a movement, and why being down for a cause should never mean putting all your faith in one person. Jessica and Erika watched it so you'd know what to expect, and they had very strong reactions. This Louis Theroux documentary on Netflix explores online influencers redefining masculinity and their influence on young men. Erika wanted to turn it off. Jessica wanted to send the link to every young man she loves. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners and the crowd's reaction said everything. Jessica and Erika talk about what makes him so different from the rest, including the detail work he put into playing three distinct characters, and the fact that after the ceremony he went to In-N-Out. Alone. Without an entourage. Taking pictures with fans. If you've been confused about who owns what in Hollywood right now, Jessica breaks it all the way down. From Viacom to Paramount to CBS, from Discovery tanking HBO Max to the Ellison family (Oracle money, Trump ties) acquiring Paramount through Skydance, and now going after Warner Brothers and CNN, the consolidation of media power is moving fast. The implications for diverse voices, independent journalism, and your streaming bill are real. They also talk about the Murdoch family documentary, why Succession was more literal than anyone realized, and how the media we consume is being shaped by a handful of very wealthy, very politically connected people. Week three of the conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is blocked, cargo ships can't move gas, and Jessica paid $65.50 to fill her tank at Costco. Erika called her mom crying. They talk about how presidents don't typically drive gas prices, but intentionally starting a war and bombing oil fields is a different story. And if you think groceries are expensive now, they say: just wait. Transportation costs go up, everything goes up. The math is not mathing. A viral video of a voter admitting she's voted for Trump three times and calling herself an idiot sparked a whole conversation about what it means to not care until something affects you personally. Jessica has Trump-supporting cousins she loves, and she is absolutely worried about what happens if they get pulled over by ICE. She is not holding back on this one. Jessica has been watching it. Erika has not (yet). They talk about the Kennedy mystique, why the Camelot era still holds such power, what it must have felt like for Carolyn Bessette to go from private person to one of the most famous women in the world overnight, and how the 90s paparazzi era made that kind of life nearly impossible. Also: Ryan Murphy said something messy to Jack Schlossberg (JFK's nephew, now running for a House seat in New York), and the girls are not impressed. The good news we needed. Gap's recent ad revival started as a quiet response to the Sidney Sweeney moment and has grown into something genuinely culturally relevant. The Young Miko campaign. The 90s nostalgia. The khaki swing ad. The Madonna x Missy Elliott "All About the Jeans" era. Jessica and Erika reminisced, agreed that Gap is doing something right, and acknowledged they are no longer the target demographic, but they felt it anyway. A month of a lot. Heavy and real and also sometimes really, really funny. That's the March Chisme energy. Thank you for being here for all of it.

    1h 30m
  3. What Will They Say? Breaking Free From Taboos That Hold Latinas Back with Denise Soler Cox

    MAR 18

    What Will They Say? Breaking Free From Taboos That Hold Latinas Back with Denise Soler Cox

    What Jessica Is Sipping Casa Martinez Wines Bonitas 2023 Chenin Blanc. Light, crisp, a little grassy, with apple in the back. Jessica's words: "That's really good." High praise, coming from her. Casa Martinez is out of the Napa area, founded by Daniel Martinez, whose Pinot Noir called Camila donates proceeds to care for his daughter. Episode Description Ven siéntate, porque this one is going to stay with you. This week, Jessica sits down with award-winning activist filmmaker, top 100 podcaster, sought-after international speaker, and now author Denise Soler Cox for a conversation that had Jessica reaching for tissues before they even got into the chisme. And honestly? Same. Denise is the creative force behind the documentary Being Enye and the upcoming book What Will They Say? (Simon & Schuster, August 18th), and she joins Wine & Chisme to talk about the secrets we carry, the taboos baked into our cultura, and why so many Latinas feel both seen and shackled by the very values that raised us. This is not just an interview. It's a mirror. In This Episode Jessica and Denise get into the real stuff, including how a night at a bar in Miami in the 90s planted the seed for a documentary that would go on to reach listeners in 32 countries. Denise shares the three-part storytelling framework from Harvard professor Marshall Ganz, the one that helped her understand why Being Enyé resonated so far beyond what she ever expected, and how it laid the foundation for the book she has been building for years. They talk about the moment at age 9 that Denise carried silently for decades, the power of finally putting it on the page, and why she believes telling that story was the only way to truly reclaim it. Denise also opens up about losing over $200,000 in speaking revenue when DEI cuts swept through corporate America, and why that painful chapter made the book more honest than she ever thought she could be. Jessica brings her whole self to this one too. She shares her own experience navigating second-gen identity, the guilt of not carrying the same burdens as her first-gen friends, and the realization, mid-read of Denise's first chapter, that Wine & Chisme itself might be rooted in something far deeper than she had ever let herself acknowledge. They also dig into why Latinas are leaving corporate America faster than any other group, what the physics concept of thermal equilibrium has to do with the secrets we keep, and how a preemptive offer from Simon & Schuster on Valentine's Day two years ago became the moment Denise finally stopped settling. About Denise Soler Cox After going from stay-at-home mom to award-winning activist filmmaker, Denise Soler Cox has spent over a decade on a mission to transform how we think and speak about culture, identity, and belonging. Her documentary Being Enyé has been screened internationally and led her to 400+ stages, including two TEDx talks. She has partnered with brands like Ralph Lauren, Amazon, Progressive, and Microsoft, and has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, PBS, Forbes, Telemundo, and more. Her debut book What Will They Say? is published by Simon & Schuster under the Primeros Sueños Press imprint and releases August 18th, just ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month. Resources + Links Pre-order What Will They Say? wherever books are sold Add the book on https://www.goodreads.com/https://www.goodreads.com/ and click "Want to Read" Join Denise's book launch team: email Denise directly to get access to a digital galley ahead of release at Denise@denisesolercox.com Follow Denise on social media @denisesolercox on all platforms Connect with Denise about speaking at your ERG, conference, or event

    1h 27m
  4. Strategy, Power and Knowing Your Worth with Vanessa Santos

    MAR 11

    Strategy, Power and Knowing Your Worth with Vanessa Santos

    What Jessica's Drinking 🍾 Casa Martinez Wine, Bonitas 2023 Chenin Blanc. A Latiné-owned family brand out of the Napa-Sonoma area, where Daniel Martinez not only runs his own label but stewards vines for other brands. A perfect sip for a conversation this rich. What happens when the woman who has helped others build empires finally lets her own walls come down? In this deeply honest episode of Wine & Chisme, Jessica sits down with her amiga and one of her favorite humans on the planet , Vanessa Santos, entrepreneur, board-level strategist, Forbes Most Impactful Woman of Latin America honoree, and the woman behind Letters from the InBetween. Vanessa grew up as the eldest daughter of immigrants in Washington Heights and the Bronx - navigating survival, community, corporate rooms she wasn't supposed to be in, and a love for storytelling she didn't even realize she had until she got there. She worked her way from retail to the C-suite without an Ivy League degree, scaled ventures to multi-millions in revenue, became a millionaire before 30... and then watched it all come apart. In this episode, she shares what it really looked like: a divorce, a business exit, losing her home, and sitting with 7-8 months of Airbnbs and friends' couches. And why she's more herself now than she's ever been. This one is for every woman who has ever performed strength while quietly drowning, and who is ready to hear that the shedding season was always preparing you for what's next. "Everything is happening for me, not to me. This is just a chapter of my book." In This Episode, We Talk About: Growing up first-gen in New York City and what the hood actually teaches you How Vanessa bluffed and asked her way from retail floors to C-suites The real cost of performing success — big wedding, reckless spending, and an abandonment wound dressed up as generosity Going from millionaire to unhoused — and what that stripped away (and revealed) High-functioning depression, PTSD, and what it means to finally receive help Colorism in Latinidad and a grandmother's lesson about using privilege as a door you hold open Why lack of expression equals depression What self-reclamation actually looks like when you're in the middle of it Letters from the InBetween, The Table, and Glow Up Hour — what Vanessa is building now Her message for any woman stuck in the research phase: it's time to push Guest Resources & Links Newsletter (Letters from the InBetween): vsantos.co/newsletter Glow Up Hour (free monthly community) Instagram: @vanessasantosleon

    1h 25m
  5. From Nanny to Wine Brand Owner: How La Chancla Wines Was Born with Raquel Gomez

    MAR 4

    From Nanny to Wine Brand Owner: How La Chancla Wines Was Born with Raquel Gomez

    What does a chancla have to do with wine? Everything, it turns out. In this episode, Jessica sits down with Raquel Gomez, co-owner of La Chancla Wines - a Latina-founded, Texas-based wine brand rooted in culture, community, and a whole lot of corazón. Just three years ago, Raquel had never tasted straight wine. Today, she's got bottles in AT&T Stadium suites, a partnership with Ready Vineyards, and a growing line of blends designed specifically for palates shaped by tamales, pozole, and abuela's guisos. Raquel's story is one of trust, hustle, and saying yes when opportunity knocks...even when you don't feel ready. From helping manage a household to leading the sales team that landed a spot at Central Market's 30th anniversary dinner, her journey is proof that you don't need to be a sommelier to change the wine industry. You just need to believe in the product, show up for your community, and know that the name La Chancla will stop people in their tracks. In This Episode We Cover: How Raquel went from never drinking wine to co-owning a wine brand in just 3 years The kitchen-table moment when the name "La Chancla" was born Why the bottle features a fox holding flowers instead of an actual chancla Designing a wine for Latiné palates — fruit-forward, semi-sweet, and sangria-adjacent The food pairings that work: tamales, pozole, guisos, birria tacos & lengua How La Chancla landed in the suites at AT&T Stadium (Cowboys Stadium) Being a Latina woman breaking into a male-dominated wine sales world in Texas Upcoming expansion: a white blend ("Blanco") and new red varietals Why clean wines mean waking up ready to work the next morning The power of immigrant work ethic and what it means to build something for your comunidad Guest Info: Raquel Gomez — Co-Owner, La Chancla Wines Based in Dallas, TX | Originally from Monclova, Coahuila, México Website: lachanclawine.com Discount Code: chisme1on1 for Wine & Chisme listeners Ships nationwide across the USA

    1h 6m
  6. Benito Bowl, BAFTA and 6 Years of Wine & Chisme

    FEB 25

    Benito Bowl, BAFTA and 6 Years of Wine & Chisme

    Wines we're sipping on: Jessica is sipping on a Cramoisi Vineyards Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon), and Erika's is sipping on Butter- a buttery Chardonnay to survive the East Coast snowstorm. We're back with our February Chisme episode- and we had a LOT to unpack! This month, Jessica is joined by her ride-or-die Erika Sánchez of Brave Communications for an unfiltered conversation covering everything from ICE raids and political resistance to the BAFTAs racial slur incident, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, the America's Next Top Model Netflix documentary, celebrity tributes, and everything in between. Oh, did I mention we're celebrating SIX YEARS of Wine & Chisme! 🥂 Topics Covered 6-Year Anniversary of Wine & Chisme: Episode 277 and nearly 250 guests deep! ICE raids in Minnesota: deaths, protests, community fear, and the Liam Ramos story Media crackdowns: Stephen Colbert, CBS layoffs, and the erosion of press freedom The Grammys: Bad Bunny's historic first Spanish-language Album of the Year win, the In Memoriam segment, and the Addison Rae conversation Romeo Santos & Prince Royce: their tone-deaf NYT interview on ICE and the fallout Nicki Minaj's Trump Gold Card moment and the price of political alignment The Super Bowl 'Benito Bowl' with Ricky Martin, bachata, Lady Gaga's Dominican designer dress, and Bad Bunny's powerful message Celebrity tributes: Catherine O'Hara, James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Jesse Jackson, and Willie Colón America's Next Top Model Netflix doc: Tyra's missing apology, the Shandy situation, and industry accountability The BAFTA racial slur incident: Tourette's, BBC's delayed reaction, and the half-hearted apology The 2026 Winter Olympics: rooting for athletes vs. rooting for a country Oscars preview, Timothée Chalamet, and the Kardashian fatigue Equality vs. equity in U.S. Olympic funding Upcoming: La Chancla Wines on next week's episode!  Community Call-In Line Want to share your chisme, suggest a guest, or leave a comment? Call us! 📞 858-304-0266 Leave us a voicemail — your story might be featured on the show!

    1h 31m
  7. Turning Chronic Pain & Corporate Burnout into a Latina Owned Branding Studio with Marisa Gonzales

    FEB 18

    Turning Chronic Pain & Corporate Burnout into a Latina Owned Branding Studio with Marisa Gonzales

    What we're Sipping Jessica ia aipping a 2022 Parra Wine Co. Chardonnay from Zenith Vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley, while Marisa sips nettle tea with electrolyte salt. Episode Summary In this episode of Wine & Chisme, Jessica sits down with Marisa Gonzales, a proud Mexican-American graphic designer, brand strategist, and the founder of Marisa Gonzalez Studios, for a deeply personal and empowering conversation. Based in Kansas City, Kansas, Marisa shares what it was like growing up as one of the only Latinas in a predominantly white suburb of Missouri, how chronic migraines and a serious car accident reshaped her path, and how she overcame medication dependency to reclaim her health and creativity. She also opens up about walking away from a toxic corporate job as a new mom, and how all of these experiences led her to build an intentional, client-centered design business that centers the voices of women, minorities, and nonprofits. What We Cover in This Episode Growing up Latina in Blue Springs, Missouri, one of the only Mexican-American families in a predominantly white suburb How Marisa's parents kept her culture alive through weekly family dinners, Mexican music, and tostadas at abuela's house- even without teaching Spanish The shared Gen X/elder Millennial experience of being raised without Spanish, and the generational trauma behind it Experiencing racial bias in school. From a teacher who gave her less attention than white students, to friends casually throwing around slurs The car accident in her 20s that broke her nose, injured her spine (C1/Atlas), and escalated into chronic migraines Her journey with Fioricet dependency, the first time she has spoken about this publicly, and how her husband Travis helped her taper off gradually Overcoming rebound migraines caused by the very medication she was using to function at work The toxic corporate job she left cold- on the day they wrote her up for calling in after her infant son got sick Using her maternity leave to quietly build her design business on the side before making the leap full-time Her non-traditional career path: graphic design → production artist → burned out at 2008 recession → physical therapy assistant → office job → full-time entrepreneur How her dad's encouragement to "follow your heart" changed the direction of her life What it means to center Latinidad and lived experience in brand strategy How she vets clients and intentionally limits her workload to protect her health and family Her certifications: Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and MWBE through the Kansas Department of Commerce Practical branding insight: why having a "signature look" is non-negotiable for standing out About Marisa Gonzales Marisa Gonzales is the CEO, Principal Strategist, and Designer of Marisa Gonzalez Studios, a boutique brand and web design agency based in Kansas City, Kansas. She helps women-owned businesses, minority entrepreneurs, and nonprofits build standout brands and websites that don't just look beautiful — they work. A proud Mexican-American woman, Marisa grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, navigating life as one of the few Latinas in a predominantly white community. That experience — of being unseen, mislabeled, and underestimated — shapes everything about how she shows up for her clients today. She is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and as a Minority Women's Business Enterprise (MWBE) through the Kansas Department of Commerce. Marisa also lives with chronic migraines and late-diagnosed ADHD, and has built her business around flexibility, intentionality, and listening to her body — modeling for her clients that sustainable success is possible. Connect with Marisa Marisa's Website: MarisaGstudios.com → MarisaGstudios.com Instagram: @MarisaGStudios Facebook: Marisa G. Studios LinkedIn: Marisa Gonzalez

    1h 8m
  8. Plan- Don't Panic: A Latina Political Scientist Guide to Identity & Power in America

    FEB 11

    Plan- Don't Panic: A Latina Political Scientist Guide to Identity & Power in America

    Wine Selection French Vinchot (mulled wine) - the last of a homemade batch from the holidays Episode Description Political scientist and paralegal Desiree Collado joins Jessica Yanez for an urgent conversation about Latino identity, political power, and community protection. With over 30 years of experience and work with the United Nations, Desiree breaks down the current political landscape and provides practical guidance for navigating uncertain times. Desiree Collado is a Dominican-American political scientist and paralegal with 30+ years of experience. She has worked with UN ambassadors on international resolutions and is dedicated to preserving Latino narratives and advancing understanding of the Latine experience. Guest Bio Desiree Collado is a Dominican-American political scientist and paralegal with 30+ years of experience. She has worked with UN ambassadors on international resolutions and is dedicated to preserving Latino narratives and advancing understanding of the Latine experience. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] Introduction Jessica introduces the urgency of today's conversation Why this episode focuses on current political events [00:04:00] Growing Up Between Two Worlds [00:12:00] Assimilation vs. Identity [00:16:00] Living on the Hyphen [00:23:00] Military Service & Exploitation [00:26:00] Anger as a Love Language [00:28:00] The GOP Strategy: Repetition [00:29:00] Plan, Don't Panic [00:37:00] Credentials & Qualifications [00:42:00] Latino Political Power [00:45:00] They Colonized the Rich [00:48:00] Venezuela Discussion [00:57:00] The Identity Crisis Continues [01:03:00] Optimism for the Next Generation [01:06:00] This Cannot Last Long [01:09:00] Practical Safety Tips [01:13:00] Minnesota Police Officers Stopped by ICE [01:16:00] Final Call to Action Connect with Desiree Instagram: @MadiDez (follow stories for sourced political analysis)

    1h 20m

About

The Wine & Chisme is where meaningful conversations flow as freely as the wine. Host Jessica Yañez creates an intimate space for professionals, artists, and changemakers from communities of color to share their unfiltered stories of career, love, and transformation. Each week, guests "spill the wine" through authentic chisme (Spanish for gossip) on their own terms—challenging narratives about whose voices deserve to be heard. More than a podcast, it's a celebration of untold stories that builds bridges and creates lasting change. Grab a glass and join the conversation every Wednesday. #WineAndChismeWednesday

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