The Sipping Point: Wine, Food & More!

What if the best way to enjoy wine isn't about finding the perfect bottle, but finding someone to share it with?

This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie welcomes Kimberly Charles, wine industry veteran and co-founder of Come Over October, a movement created with Karen MacNeil and Gino Colangelo to celebrate wine's unique ability to bring people together. From casual gatherings with neighbors to themed wine nights, Kimberly shares how a simple invitation can create meaningful connections and lasting memories.

Laurie and Kimberly also explore why wine deserves a place at the everyday table, how to make entertaining less intimidating, and why sparkling wine shouldn't be saved for special occasions. Along the way, they share two delicious wine discoveries: Gruet Brut from New Mexico and Fox Run Unoaked Chardonnay from New York's Finger Lakes. Plus, Kimberly busts one of the biggest wine myths of all: you don't need to be an expert to enjoy what's in your glass.

So grab a bottle, invite someone over, and remember to trust your own taste!

Learn more and find entertaining inspiration at https://comeoveroctober.com.

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Can a $65 Cabernet really compete with a $200 bottle? And do those 90-plus-point wine scores still matter? This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach, sits down with Austin Hope, winemaker and owner of Hope Family Wines, to talk about what makes Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon special, why wine doesn't have to be intimidating and what you're really getting when you spend more on a bottle.

Austin's family has been growing grapes in Paso Robles since 1978, and today Hope Family Wines includes six brands spanning a wide range of styles and prices. Laurie and Austin taste four wines—Troublemaker Refresca Grenache, Liberty School Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Treana Cabernet Sauvignon and Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon—while tackling everything from chilling red wines and understanding wine scores to what “Reserve” really means and why your Cabernet might contain other grape varieties.

Plus, Austin reveals why spending $700 on a bottle of wine made even him uncomfortable, how he developed a $65 Cabernet to compete with luxury Napa wines, and the challenges of producing great wine at scale while keeping the business family-owned. It's a conversation about value, quality and why the best bottle of wine isn't necessarily the most expensive one.

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What happens when a winemaker stops trying to put his stamp on a wine—and lets the vineyard do the talking? This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie sits down with acclaimed Santa Barbara winemaker Greg Brewer, the force behindBrewer-Clifton and Diatom, to talk Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and why sometimes the best winemaking decision is to do less.

Greg shares his unlikely journey from teaching French at UC Santa Barbara to taking a $5.50-an-hour tasting room job that changed the course of his life. More than three decades later, he’s devoted his career to the Sta. Rita Hills. Laurie and Greg taste Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, exploring neutral oak, whole-cluster fermentation and how stems can bring structure and savory character to Pinot, before tasting Diatom—Greg’s clean, bright, stainless-steel expression of Chardonnay.

They also dig into Greg’s philosophy of taking ego out of winemaking, why vintage variation should be celebrated rather than corrected, and his mission to make wine less intimidating. And Greg takes on one of wine’s long-standing “rules”: Who says you have to drink white before red? His advice? Mix up the order, keep a few bottles open and experience wine on your own terms.

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What happens when a former rock band manager decides to make wine? If you’re Charles Smith, you don’t just join the wine business—you do things your own way.

Charles joins Laurie to talk about his unconventional journey from managing indie rock bands in Europe to becoming one of Washington State’s most recognized winemakers. Along the way, he created hugely successful brands including House Wine, Kung Fu Girl and Wines of Substance, while earning some of the wine world’s highest accolades.

But this conversation isn’t really about scores. It’s about making good wine accessible.

Charles shares why he believes consumers deserve better wine at everyday prices, why fruity doesn’t necessarily mean sweet, and why he thinks ingredient transparency matters. He also explains why inexpensive wine can actually require more precision to make than an expensive bottle—and why, as he puts it, “good is good, bad is bad, and everybody deserves good.”

Laurie and Charles taste through four very different wines: Blossom Fury Riesling, CasaSmith Pinot Grigio, REAL WINE Cabernet Sauvignon and K Vintners MCK Syrah. Along the way, Charles shares the unlikely story behind Motor City Kitty, makes the case for Washington as one of North America’s most exciting wine regions, and explains why wine should never be reserved only for special occasions.

Because great wine doesn’t have to be complicated—or saved for a special occasion.

Learn more about Charles Smith and his wines at https://houseofsmith.com/

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What makes Anderson Valley such a special place for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?

This week on The Sipping Point, I’m joined by Maggy Hawk winemaker Sarah Wuethrich to explore this cool-climate California wine region and her fascinating approach to winemaking.

We taste 4 wines—Aurelia Chardonnay, Skycrest Chardonnay, White Pinot Noir and Jolie Pinot Noir—as Sarah shares how elevation, soil, clones and vineyard blocks create dramatically different expressions in the glass. We also talk about foot-stomping Chardonnay, making white wine from Pinot Noir, regenerative farming and why great winemaking is equal parts science, experience and intuition.

Plus, Sarah shares why she’s excited about the future of Anderson Valley—and why she’s not buying into all the doom and gloom surrounding wine today.

Join Laurie Thursday, November 19 at 6 PM for Uncork the Holidays Wine Dinner at Scossa Restaurant in Easton, Maryland, in partnership with Hair o’ The Dog Wine & Spirits. We'll kick off the holiday season with a multi-course wine dinner filled with delicious pairings and plenty of inspiration for Thanksgiving, holiday entertaining and beyond. Find details and tickets at https://thewinecoach.com/events/

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Think “100% agave” means there’s nothing else in your tequila? You might be surprised.

This week on The Sipping Point, I’m stepping outside the wine glass and into the world of tequila with Heidi Anderson, better known as La Tequila Mamacita. Heidi is a certified tequila educator, spirits judge, co-founder of the Tennessee Agave Club, co-host of The Tequiladies and a tequila reviewer for The Tequila Report.

We go back to Tequila 101: what actually makes tequila tequila, why it can only be made from Blue Weber agave in specific regions of Mexico, and the differences between Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo.

Then we get into the really juicy stuff. Heidi explains why “100% agave” may not mean what consumers think it means, the additives that can be used in tequila, why price and a beautiful bottle don’t necessarily equal quality, and why good tequila deserves to be sipped—not shot.

We also taste Zumbador Blanco and Reposado side by side and explore how terroir, production methods and barrel aging change what ends up in your glass.

And if tequila “makes you crazy”? Heidi has something to say about that myth, too.

In this episode:
• What legally makes a spirit tequila
• Blanco vs. Reposado vs. Añejo vs. Extra Añejo
• Highlands vs. Lowlands tequila and why terroir matters
• How agave is harvested, cooked, fermented and distilled
• What “100% agave” actually tells you
• Additives in tequila and what consumers should know
• How to properly taste and sip tequila
• How barrel aging changes tequila
• What to look for when buying a bottle
• Some of the biggest tequila myths

Sip Along With Us

Zumbador Tequila Blanco
Zumbador Tequila Reposado

Connect with Heidi Anderson

Instagram: La Tequila Mamacita on Instagram

Heidi is also part of the review team at The Tequila Report and co-hosts The Tequiladies Showon YouTube, where she and her fellow tequila educators dive deeper into agave spirits, producers and tequila culture.

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her Zoom Info Session on 9/23 at 6 PM ET to learn more about her Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

What does five decades in the wine business teach you about wine, leadership, and knowing when to trust your own instincts?

This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie sits down with Eugenia Keegan, Senior Vice President of Winegrowing and Business Development for Jackson Family Wines, whose remarkable career began at Joseph Swan Vineyards in 1976 and has taken her from California to Burgundy to Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Eugenia shares how Oregon has evolved from looking to Burgundy for inspiration to finding its own winemaking voice, why Chardonnay and sparkling wine have become such exciting parts of the Oregon story, and what she sees coming next for the region.

They also get personal about the lessons Eugenia has learned along the way, including why “you cannot rush a wine,” the importance of being intentional about what comes next, and her refreshingly candid attitude about looking backward.

Eugenia also reflects on how dramatically opportunities for women in wine have changed. She remembers a time when women weren’t even allowed to drive forklifts in the winery and shares a wonderful moment years later, standing on the Penner-Ash crush pad with pioneering winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash, surrounded by women running the show.

In the glasses:

• Banke Brut Sparkling Wine
•Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay
• WillaKenzie Estate Tourdion Cuvée Blanc
• Penner-Ash Pinot Noir

Plus, Laurie and Eugenia talk about the future of wine events, lighter and more diverse wine styles, sustainability, and why there’s room in the wine industry for people with all kinds of talents and passions.

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her Zoom Info Session on 9/23 at 6 PM ET to learn more about her Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

In this episode, Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi shares her family's rich legacy in winemaking, rooted in Tuscany since 1349. She discusses the unique characteristics of Chianti Classico wines, including the importance of Sangiovese grapes, and the significance of food pairing in Italian culture.

The conversation also delves into the distinctions between Chianti Classico, Riserva, and Gran Selezione wines, highlighting their aging processes and flavor profiles. Alessandra emphasizes the role of women in her family's history and the importance of sustainability in winemaking, while also touching on the heritage of Nobile di Montepulciano wines.

Takeaways

• Alessandra's family has been producing wine since 1349.
• Chianti Classico is the first defined wine territory in the world.
• Sangiovese grapes express the land's characteristics.
• Wine is an integral part of Italian meals and culture.
• Riserva wines must age at least 24 months before release.
• Gran Selezione represents the highest quality in Chianti Classico.
• The black rooster emblem signifies membership in the Chianti Classico consortium.
• Women have played a crucial role in the family's winemaking legacy.

Wines Tasted

Bindi Sergardi La Ghirlanda Chianti Classico DOCG

Bindi Sergardi I Colli Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Bindi Sergardi Mocenni 89 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG

Check out the Bindi Sergardi website for more about the winery, Alessandra and her family& more!

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Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

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What if the future of wine is less about teaching people everything they need to know and more about giving them a reason to open a bottle?

Laurie sits down with Eric V. Orange, founder ofLocalWineEvents.com, to talk about how wine events and wine consumers have changed over the past 26 years and why experiences, travel and connection may be increasingly important to the future of wine.

Eric shares the unlikely story behind LocalWineEvents.com, sparked by a Champagne dinner where only six people showed up, and how the site grew into a resource connecting wine lovers with tastings, dinners, festivals, classes and wine travel.

They also dig into new consumer research from Come Over October and LocalWineEvents.com, including the finding that 41% of respondents essentially said: give us a reason to get together. Laurie and Eric discuss why wine has a unique ability to make gatherings feel warmer and more special, whether the industry has made wine education too complicated, and why simpler, more approachable experiences may be the way forward.

Plus, they talk affordability, food and wine pairing, the changing appetite for large wine festivals, AI versus authentic event recommendations, and Laurie's upcoming Wine Down Wednesday: Wines of Washington State partnership with LocalWineEvents.com.

In this episode:

• The surprising event that inspired Eric to create LocalWineEvents.com
• What 26 years of wine events have taught him about consumers
• Why interest may be shifting from formal wine education toward experiences
• What the Come Over October consumer research revealed
• Wine tourism and the growing desire for experiences
• Why smaller, more intimate wine events may have an advantage

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

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What do Olympic sailing, aerospace engineering, and world-class Brunello have in common? More than you might think.

This week on The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Alessandra Angelini of Altesino, one of Montalcino's historic Brunello producers.

Before returning to Tuscany and her family's wine business, Alessandra trained with the Italian National Team in Olympic-class sailing and earned a degree in aerospace engineering. She went on to work in the United States designing aircraft engines before bringing that combination of discipline, science, and problem-solving back to the family wineries.

Alessandra shares how Altesino has maintained its signature elegant style of Sangiovese even as tastes in wine have changed—and why a style that once seemed almost out of step with the times now feels remarkably modern.

Laurie and Alessandra also explore the differences between Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino, why Rosso deserves to be taken seriously as its own wine, and how dramatically Sangiovese can express the different soils, elevations, exposures, and microclimates within Montalcino.

Then they dive into Montosoli, Altesino's legendary single-vineyard Brunello and one of the wines that helped pioneer the concept of vineyard-designated Brunello in Montalcino.

In This Episode

• How Olympic sailing prepared Alessandra for the unpredictable world of wine
• What aerospace engineering taught her about research, efficiency, and winemaking
• Why Rosso di Montalcino isn't simply "Baby Brunello"
• Why Alessandra calls Sangiovese a "religion" in Tuscany
• How northern and southern Montalcino differ
• How long you can age a great Brunello—and why there isn't one perfect drinking window

And perhaps the most important takeaway: great wine doesn't have to be intimidating. As Alessandra puts it, "Brunello is always interesting."

Support the show

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

Bordeaux may be one of the world’s most famous wine regions—but is our perception of it stuck in the past? Laurie Forster sits down with Bordeaux-based wine educator, writer and yoga teacher Wendy Narby to explore a region that has become more welcoming, innovative and diverse than many wine drinkers realize.

Wendy shares what has changed in Bordeaux over the past 20 years, from sustainability and climate adaptation to gentler winemaking techniques and a new generation of more fruit-forward, approachable wines. She also takes us beyond Bordeaux’s famous reds to the region’s whites, Crémant, rosé, sweet wines and experimental new styles.

Then the conversation turns from what we drink to how we drink it. Drawing from her book The Drinking Woman’s Diet, Wendy shares her practical approach to enjoying wine while supporting a healthy lifestyle. She and Laurie talk about moderation, eating with wine, pour size, hydration and why there’s absolutely nothing wrong with leaving wine in your glass.

Wendy also explains why she has shifted the conversation from “wine and wellness” to “wine and wellbeing,” how yoga and mindfulness fit into her philosophy, and why wine is best viewed not as a health food—but as a delicious, social pleasure to be enjoyed intentionally.

In This Episode:

• Why the people of Bordeaux may be the region’s greatest asset
• How Bordeaux has become more accessible over the past 20 years
• How research and technical expertise spread innovation across Bordeaux
• The growing importance of sustainability and climate-conscious farming
• What inspired Wendy to write The Drinking Woman’s Diet
• Wendy’s philosophy of drinking less—but drinking something delicious
• The surprising connection between yoga, mindfulness and wine

Check out Wendy's video course The Drinking Women's Diet and use code winecoach to get a 20 euro discount! Click Here

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Johnson of Spy Valley Wines for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about family, place, and the future of wine. Amanda shares the story behind her family’s winemaking journey, what makes Spy Valley’s wines so distinctive, and why sustainability isn’t a trend for them—it’s a responsibility. We dive into how thoughtful viticulture shows up in the glass, exploring the vibrant character of their Sauvignon Blanc and the elegance of their Pinot Noir, while also touching on the exciting shifts happening across the wine world right now. It’s a conversation rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and grounded in deep respect for the land.

Check out theSpy Valley Winery website for more about the winery, wines & their sustainability efforts.

WInes Tasted

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Spy Valley Pinot Noir

Learn more about the Marlborough region at AppellationMarlborough.com

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

One grape. Three world-class wine regions. One legendary winemaker.

What happens when the same winemaker crafts Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, McLaren Vale (Australia), and Walla Walla (Washington)? Chris Carpenter joins Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach®, to explore how terroir, climate, and farming practices shape the personality of each wine.

Known for his work with Lokoya, Cardinale, Mt. Brave, La Jota Vineyard Co., and Hickinbotham, Chris shares why great wine begins in the vineyard, how regenerative farming is changing the future of Cabernet, and what every wine lover should notice when tasting these iconic regions side by side.

Whether you're a Cabernet enthusiast or simply curious about why wines from different places taste so different, this episode offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the art and science of winemaking.

In this episode:

• Why the same Cabernet Sauvignon tastes dramatically different in Napa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Walla Walla
• The role of soil, elevation, and climate in shaping a wine's personality
• Why Chris believes great wine is made "80% in the vineyard and 20% in the winery"
• How harvest timing affects freshness, balance, and alcohol levels
• What regenerative and organic farming really look like—from sheep and goats to ladybugs and snakes
• How wine regions are adapting to climate change through smarter vineyard practices
• What's next for one of the world's most respected Cabernet winemakers

Wines Tasted

2022 Hickinbotham Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon

2022 Skysill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2022 Mt. Brave Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

Michigan may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of world-class wine—but that may be about to change.

In this episode of The Sipping Point Podcast, Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach®, sits down with acclaimed wine writer and former Wine Enthusiast Editor-in-Chief Susan Kostrzewa to explore why Traverse City has become one of America's most exciting cool-climate wine destinations.

Susan shares her journey from growing up in northern Michigan to becoming one of the wine industry's most respected voices. Together, they discuss the grapes putting Michigan on the map, why climate change is reshaping wine regions around the world, and how authentic storytelling helps consumers connect with the people behind every bottle.

Whether you're planning a trip to the Traverse City Food & Wine Festivalor simply looking for your next favorite Riesling or sparkling wine, this episode will inspire you to discover one of America's hidden wine gems.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Susan Kostrzewa's journey from Traverse City to leading Wine Enthusiast to starting her companyResplendent Ink
• Why Michigan has become one of America's premier cool-climate wine regions
• The Michigan wines and grape varieties you should be drinking now
• Why Traverse City's sparkling wines deserve national attention
• How climate change is creating both opportunities and challenges for winemakers
• What to expect at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, August 19-23, 2026

Featured Wines & Wineries

• Mawby Grace Brut Rosé
• Left Foot Charley Blaufränkisch

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
Instagram @thewinecoach
Facebook @winecoach
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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

Is Verdicchio Italy's best-kept wine secret?

In this episode of The Sipping Point Podcast, Laurie Forster sits down with Damiano Sorato, Vice President of Sales at Ethica Wines, Federico Veronesi, CEO of Signorvino and Oniwines, and the winemaker from Villa Bucci to explore why Italian indigenous white wines are capturing the attention of wine lovers around the world.

As Ethica Wines celebrates its 10th anniversary, the conversation looks at how the importer has helped introduce authentic, family-owned Italian wineries to the U.S. market while championing lesser-known grape varieties with incredible quality and value.

Together, they dive into the remarkable story of Verdicchio—a grape once overlooked but now recognized as one of Italy's greatest white wines thanks to its freshness, complexity, food-friendliness, and extraordinary aging potential.

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
Instagram @thewinecoach
Facebook @winecoach
TikTok @LaurieForster

Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

What does it take to turn a family legacy into one of Brooklyn's most beloved Italian restaurants? This week, Laurie sits down with Chef Al DiMeglio, owner of Barano andSpirit Animalin Williamsburg, to explore the stories, techniques, and philosophy behind his acclaimed approach to Italian food.

Named after his grandmother's hometown on the island of Ischia, Barano celebrates authentic Italian cooking with handmade pasta, naturally fermented sourdough pizza, and a deep respect for tradition. Al shares how his family shaped his culinary journey, why natural fermentation is worth the extra effort, and the surprising pizza trick—using ice cubes—that has everyone talking.

You'll also hear why less is more when it comes to great pasta sauce, how to make better pizza at home (even without a wood-fired oven), what it's like judging chefs on Beat Bobby Flay, and why supporting neighborhood restaurants matters now more than ever.

Whether you're a pizza fanatic, wine lover, home cook, or simply appreciate a great hospitality story, this episode is packed with practical tips and delicious inspiration.

In This Episode

• The story behind Barano and honoring his grandmother's hometown in Ischia
• Why he opened Spirit Animal and his philosophy on natural wine
• The science behind sourdough pizza and why fermentation matters
• The surprising reason he puts ice cubes on pizza before baking
• Simple techniques for making incredible pizza at home
• The secrets to authentic Italian pasta sauce
• Behind the scenes of judging on Beat Bobby Flay
• The must-order dishes at Barano—and the wines he'd pair with them

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
Instagram @thewinecoach
Facebook @winecoach
TikTok @LaurieForster

Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her newly announced Treasures of Tuscany Tour in May 2027.

What happens when a NASA budget officer trades spreadsheets for beer? Elliott Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Soul Mega, shares how a homebrewing hobby evolved into one of the Mid-Atlantic's fastest-growing craft beer brands.

In this episode, Elliott discusses leaving a successful government career to pursue entrepreneurship, building a brand that celebrates culture, creativity, and community, and what it meant for Soul Mega to win the prestigious 2026 Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Experienceship. Along the way, we taste Soul Mega's award-winning Worldwide American Pale Ale and Metropolis IPA, talk food pairings, bust common beer myths, and explore why craft beer is about so much more than what's in the glass.

In This Episode

• Elliott's journey from NASA budget officer to full-time craft beer entrepreneur
• The story behind the name "Soul Mega" and its mission to blend beer, culture, and community
• How Soul Mega won the 2026 Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Experienceship
• How an independent brewery lands shelf space at retailers like Whole Foods and Total Wine
• The biggest misconceptions about craft beer, including IPAs and proper serving temperature

Beers Tasted

Soul Mega Worldwide Pale Ale

Soul Mega Metropolis IPA

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgment of Paris approaches, we're raising a glass to one of the wineries that helped put California wine on the world stage.

In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Kristy Melton, acclaimed winemaker at Freemark Abbey, one of Napa Valley's most historic wineries. Together they explore the winery's remarkable legacy—from its founding in 1886 by trailblazing entrepreneur Josephine Tychson to its starring role in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where Freemark Abbey was the only California winery represented with both a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kristy also shares her fascinating journey from NIH research scientist to Napa Valley winemaker, how science and intuition work together in the cellar, and how she's guiding Freemark Abbey into its next chapter while honoring nearly 140 years of history.

Wines Tasted

Freemark Abbey Chardonnay $45

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon $75

Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosche $225

In this episode:

• The remarkable story of Josephine Tychson and the founding of Freemark Abbey
• Why the Judgment of Paris changed American wine forever
• Kristy's journey from scientist to award-winning winemaker
• What makes Freemark Abbey's Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon distinctive
• The history and significance of the iconic Bosché Vineyard
• Sustainability, innovation, and the future of Napa Valley winemaking
• Food pairings for Chardonnay, Napa Cabernet, and Bosché Vineyard Cabernet
• Common wine myths—including the truth about sulfites

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
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Facebook @winecoach
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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM.

What does it take to lead a family winery that's been making wine for more than 450 years? In this episode of The Sipping Point, Laurie Forster sits down with Louis Barruol, the 14th-generation owner of Château de Saint Cosme, one of the most respected estates in Gigondas and the Southern Rhône Valley.

Louis shares how his family's commitment to organic farming, native yeast fermentation, and minimal-intervention winemaking has helped establish Saint Cosme as a benchmark producer in the region.

Along the way, we taste the Les Deux Albions Blanc, Côtes du Rhône Rouge, and Saint Cosme Gigondas while exploring the role of terroir, biodynamic farming, art, food pairing, and why patience is becoming a lost virtue in today's wine culture.

Whether you're a Rhône enthusiast, a fan of organic wines, or simply curious about how great wines are made, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside one of France's most historic wine estates.

Check out Louis Vintage Booklet for Vintage 2024

Wines Tasted

Domaine de Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Blanc

Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône

Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
Instagram @thewinecoach
Facebook @winecoach
TikTok @LaurieForster

Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar in 2026 on her website at https://thewinecoach.com/events/including her comedic wine tasting Something to Wine About at The Room at Cedar Grove in Lewes, DE on July 10th at 6PM.

What makes a great restaurant wine list? Should you trust wines by the glass? And why are so many wine lovers saving their best bottles for "someday"? This week, legendary wine writers Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher join Laurie to discuss the state of restaurant wine programs, the joy of opening special bottles, and the lessons they've learned from a lifetime of tasting wine together.

Best known for creating and writing The Wall Street Journal's beloved "Tastings" column from 1998 to 2010, Dorothy and John helped make wine approachable and accessible to everyday consumers. Today, they continue their work at Grape Collective and join Laurie to share their thoughts on restaurant wine lists, wine-by-the-glass programs, Open That Bottle Night, independent wine shops, wine myths, and why trusting your own palate is one of the best wine lessons of all.

Connect with Dottie & John on Instagram and read their columns at the GrapeCollective.com

Support the show

Follow The Sipping Point on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @thewinecoach to get video footage of the podcasts an more.

Let's Stay Connected:
Instagram @thewinecoach
Facebook @winecoach
TikTok @LaurieForster