Check out more in depth show notes, pictures and links on this episode's webpage.

Nikki sits down with Amy Bess Cook of Woman Owned Wineries and winemaker Kira Ballotta for an honest, emotional conversation about women in wine, hustle, and knowing when to let go.

Everything mentioned in this episode is linked below. If you've been moved to put your money where your values are — and I hope you have — here's where to start:

• Woman Owned Wineries — Amy Bess has created a resources page for consumers who want to continue supporting women in wine now that the club is closing.
• Visit Amy Bess Cook's website to see her writing portfolio and work in the press
• Olivia Brion Wines — Kira's Pinot Noir-centric brand celebrating trailblazing women from history
• Cantadora Wines — Kira's Rhône-focused brand featuring real women doing profound community work
• Sollevato Wines — Nikki's wines, including the 2023 pink-label Grenache benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research
• Glup Glup— Amy Bess's Sip Spotlight $20 Spanish Grenache find, made for Barcelona Wine Bar and widely available

Other Links and Resources:

Sollevato Wines: Nikki and Michael's first ever rosé — a single-barrel Grenache with a touch of Sangiovese is now available, as is their new exclusive wine club, Il Circolo.

Their 2023 Petite Sirah (bold, inky, and great for BBQ season) is also coming this fall. Sign up for the mailing list at sollevatowines.com to be the first to know. use code PODLISTENER for 10% off all of Nikki's wines on sollevatowines.com

Other resources and links:

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy us a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

Follow Nikki on Instagram for more behind the scenes look at life in Wine Country

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

You can read and see more about this episode on it's webpage HERE.

Rosé has officially grown up. Once dismissed as cheap and sweet, today's pink wines are landing on fine dining menus, earning high scores from critics, and being taken as seriously as any red or white.

In this episode, I'll break down how rosé is actually made (and how it's NOT), why the color doesn't always predict the flavor, and how to find the bottles that match your palate — plus a few of my personal favorites for you to try!

Nikki's Favorite Rosé Picks

• Gérard Bertrand's Provence rosé (France) — a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault — lands around $20, sits on the drier side with bright acidity, and comes in around 13% ABV. It's a reliable, crowd-pleasing bottle.

• For something a little more unique, a Rosato di Nerello Mascalese from Sicily was highlighted as a 92-point Wine Enthusiast pick at just $24.

• Ingrid & Julia rosé from Tres Sabores in Rutherford, CA — a certified organic grower of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah blended — it's a local gem that defies expectations with its pale color and concentrated flavor.

Coming Soon from Sollevato Wines

Nikki and Michael's first ever rosé — a single-barrel Grenache with a touch of Sangiovese — releasing late May 2026, with first access going to Il Circolo, the Sollevato wine club.

Their 2023 Petite Sirah (bold, inky, and great for BBQ season) is also coming this fall. Sign up for the mailing list at sollevatowines.com to be the first to know. use code PODLISTENER for 10% off all of Nikki's wines on sollevatowines.com

Other resources and links:

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy us a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

Follow Nikki on Instagram for more behind the scenes look at life in Wine Country

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

Check out Sena Sea's website to get your hands on some beautiful wild-caught Alaskan fish shipped right to your door! Use code sipandsea for 10% off your order and sign up for their email list (great recipes!) and be entered to win a monthly $50 gift card drawing.Questions? Comments? Guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com

What do Sangiovese, Judas Iscariot, and the courage to reinvent yourself have in common? More than you'd think. Definitely more than I would have thought.

I'm sitting down with Daniel Grace, the man behind Il Molino di Grace in Panzano, Tuscany, and his debut philosophical thriller In the Wake of Golgotha, for one of the most wide-ranging, soul-stirring conversations yet on Sip With Nikki.

Learn more about the episode at sipwithnikki.com/podcast.

📖 Get the book: In the Wake of Golgotha is available now on Amazon in hardcover and Kindle. Learn more at Daniel's Website and follow along at @danielmarkgrace on Instagram.

🍷 Find the wine: Il Molino di Grace ships direct and is available in fine wine shops across 42 states. Visit ilmolinograce.it.

🍾 Join our Inner Circle: My wines, Sollevato Wines now has a wine club — Il Circolo — and the 2023 Sangiovese is out now. Learn more and become a member here.

Other resources and links:

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy us a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

Follow me on Instagram !

Did you know we make wine here in Sonoma County? Our 2022 Sollevato Sangiovese and 2023 Grenache are available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. They're both delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wines that belong on your dinner table!

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

Check out Sena Sea's website to get your hands on some beautiful wild-caught Alaskan fish shipped right to your door! Use code sipandsea for 10% off your order and sign up for their email list (great recipes!) and be entered to win a monthly $50 gift card drawing.Questions? Comments? Guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com

This episode is all about my recent test cruise on the brand new Disney Adventure, which took us from Tokyo to Singapore. Join me as I recount the excitement, the unforgettable moments, and why this journey was not just a cruise, but a celebration of life, joy, and the magic that comes when you say yes.

Check out this episode's web page for more details and pictures of the Adventure!

A spontaneous trip to Tokyo leads to an unforgettable adventure at the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market, where my good friend Dana and I find ourselves in a culinary wonderland. We’re wandering through stalls overflowing with fresh seafood, from glistening tuna to tantalizing wagyu beef, all while trying to navigate the quirky world of Japanese currency.

Throughout the episode, we capture:

1. The vibrant sounds and flavors of the market
2. The locals who definitely who left an impression on us
3. Our foodie (and sake) moments as as we indulge in the freshest bites, uncover hidden gems, and soak up the lively atmosphere of Tokyo's food scene!

Other resources and links:

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy us a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

Visit the Podcast website to read more detail and see pictures from this episode!

Follow me on Instagram and check out the highlight bubble from the Tokyo Market!

Did you know we make wine here in Sonoma County? Our 2022 Sollevato Sangiovese and 2023 Grenache are available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. They're both delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wines that belong on your dinner table!

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

Check out Sena Sea's website to get your hands on some beautiful wild-caught Alaskan fish shipped right to your door! Use code sipandsea for 10% off your order and sign up for their email list (great recipes!) and be entered to win a monthly $50 gift card drawing.Questions? Comments? Guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com

Note: a Video version of this podcast will be releasing soon! Subscribe/Follow @nikkilamberti on YouTube!

Reaching 100 episodes feels a little surreal. What started as an idea has turned into a body of work filled with wine education, travel stories, laughter, vulnerability, and genuine human connection. Episode 100 of Sip With Nikki is a celebration—of the podcast, the people behind it, and the community of listeners who’ve made it all possible.

Recorded from our home in Sonoma County, this episode brings together Nikki, Michael, and original producer Kathryn for a look back at favorite moments, unexpected challenges, and the joy that has carried the show forward over the last two years.

Spoiler alert: There's a couples speed round...

Other resources and links:

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy us a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

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 we make wine here in Sonoma County? Our 2022 Sollevato Sangiovese and 2023 Grenache are available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. They're both delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wines that belong on your dinner table!

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

Check out Sena Sea's website to get your hands on some beautiful wild-caught Alaskan fish shipped right to your door! Use code sipandsea for 10% off your order and sign up for their email list (great recipes!) and be entered to win a monthly $50 gift card drawing.Questions? Comments? Guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine! Please and Thank you!

Yes, I drink cocktails... and this week I'm sitting down with Ken MacKenzie from Fresh Victor! We dive into the world of premium cocktail mixers that are not only fresh but also made with clean ingredients—no more high fructose corn syrup in our drinks!

Whether you're shaking things up at a dinner party or kicking back poolside, we’ve got tips and tricks to help you enjoy cocktails and mocktails that are packed with flavor and super easy to make!

Check out their full line of fresh, cold pressed mixers HERE and use our special discount code THESIP20 for 20% off your order!

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 2022 Sollevato Sangiovese and 2023 Grenache are available to be shipped to most US States. Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off. They're both delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wines that belong on your dinner table!

Enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS from our Sponsors:

Use my VIP Friends and Family Link to sign up for Wine Spies! And use the coupon code NIKKI for $50 off your order of $200 or more!

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

Check out Sena Sea's website to get your hands on some beautiful wild-caught Alaskan fish shipped right to your door! Use code sipandsea for 10% off your order and sign up for their email list (great recipes!) and be entered to win a monthly $50 gift card drawing.Questions? Comments? Guest requests? nikki@sipwithnikki.com