Sip with Nikki

Artichokes are one of the most notoriously difficult foods to pair with wine. So on a spontaneous Sunday cooking session, Nikki and Michael put the SOMMO app to the test, grilled artichokes in the wood-fired pizza oven, and navigated a pizza dough disaster — all with wine in hand. Here's everything they ate, drank, and loved. Check out this episode's page to get all of the links to our favorite th...

Get ready to elevate your wine game because we’re diving into the revolutionary Sommo app! This cutting edge tool is not just about keeping track of your favorite bottles; it's like having a personal sommelier in your pocket that learns your tastes over time. During our chat, Gökhan Arkan, the brain behind Sommo, shares how this app harnesses AI to recommend wines that perfectly match your palate...

Visit the full episode page here. This episode is a little different. There's no guest, no single focus, and honestly — no apologies for that. If you've been listening for a while, you know I have a lot rolling around in my brain at any given time. So instead of holding back, I decided to just let it all out in one gloriously chaotic episode I'm calling "Odds and Ends." I'm covering four things: a...

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. Links and How to Support: Everything mentioned in this episode is linked below. If you've been moved to put your money where your values...

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...

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...

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! Other resourc...

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: The vibrant s...

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 c...

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...

If you'd like to Support the Podcast , you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode! I read an article today called "Nonalcoholic wine is still terrible. Will it ever get better?" It's by Ester Mobley in the 1/24/26 San Francisco Chronicle and it inspired me to add to and re-release our episode from last January, where 4 of us got together to taste a lineup of De-Alcholoiz...

Why do people LOVE or HATE Chardonnay? It's the polarizing grape that tends to split the room... I'm leading 3 generations from ages 21-80 through a blind tasting featuring six different Chardonnays, ranging from $15 to $70 a bottle. You'll hear why Chardonnay can range from “yuck” to “yum” so easily, and explore the factors that contribute to its diverse flavor profiles. Whether you’re a die-hard...

Back by popular demand... Dr. Hoby Wedler is my dear friend and sensory export who was born without sight. With his PhD in organic chemistry, he inspires people to experience the life at it fullest, especially when it comes to food, wine and the smells and sounds of the world around us! Listen as Hoby and his partner Justin, my partner Michael and I all gather around the Holiday table and talk abo...

Are you drinking Grenache? Here's why you should be. And why our newest release is extra-special! The emotional moment of sending off our first Grenache bottles is truly unforgettable, marking years of hard work and dedication. Our new Grenache represents not just a wine but a legacy we're excited to share with you all. This wine's release is tied to the cause of cancer research, making every bott...

If you'd like to Support the Podcast , you can buy Michael and I a glass of wine! We would be so grateful! Cheers, Angels! Episode Notes: With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Michael is weighing in on our holiday traditions and the all-important task of selecting the perfect wines to complement the feast. Michael, the self-proclaimed Thanksgiving aficionado (eye-roll) shares his excitement fo...

I'm re-releasing our episode from last November in honor of Beaujolais Nouveau Day! What's this fun made up Wine Holiday all about? The 3rd Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which has historically celebrated the end of Harvest. It also means the arrival of super young, fun and flirty red wines made from the Beaujolais region in Central France. But is Beaujolais as a category of wine,...

I recently took a MUCH NEEDED girls trip to Walt Disney World, where I escaped into the Disney happiness bubble with my mom and sisters. After the year our family has had, it was the perfect getaway, filled with laughs, love and so much delicious food and beverage! Listen to this all new episode, where I recap what we had at some of the newest spots (Geo-82, Beak and Barrel and Three Bridges) as w...

Are you finding yourself dreaming of moving to Italy? (I am...) This episode brings you the inspiring journey of Ashley Bartner and her husband Jason, who traded their New York lives for an agriturismo in the enchanting La Marche region. They’re living the dream—running a farm, hosting cooking classes, and sharing their experiences with those curious about relocating to Italy. You'll hear how they...

If you’ve ever wondered how to snag top-notch wines at eye-popping prices...This week I'm going Undercover with "Agent Cru" from Wine Spies! From the thrill of getting your daily deals to learning about innovative shipping solutions that keep your wine cool and safe (and complimentary!), this episode is packed with tips and laughs! HIghlights: Wine Spies offers amazing deals on high-quality wines,...

Michael and I just binged watched the new Netflix series, "Next Gen Chef" which was filmed at the Culinary Institute of America in NY. We were excited to see an appearance from a long time friend, Chef Melissa Walnock, who was one of the first guests on the podcast back in Feb 2024! In case you missed it, or just want another dose of her badass wisdom and joy, I'm re- releasing a newly edited vers...

If you'd like to Support the Podcast , you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode! Truth? I am in the middle of a difficult chapter in my life, and I was looking for some much needed joy. So I planned a very last minute trip to LA with my good friends Hoby and Justin. We designed 48 joyful hours around 2 of my favorite things... Dave Matthews and Disney! Listen to our da...

This week I'm revisiting an episode from one year ago where I shared a very exciting and rare experience that happened to me while in Bend, Oregon last summer. Enjoy a new intro and outtro to the original episode, where I look back on what has happened after a CRAZY year of life and reflect on if I would have done it differently if given the chance. Spoiler alert: I get a little emotional and a li...

I was lucky to sit down with Winemaker Leo Tellez and Dir. of Hospitality and Sales, Joe Hinde from Ackerman Family Vineyards in downtown Napa! From the "aviary" of their restored Victorian Heritage House, we laugh and learn from each other as I hear their journeys that led them to where they are today. Listen as we taste 3 unique and delicious small-production wines (Triple Sip Spotlight!) and ta...

I recently learned about the powerhouse husband and wife duo Brian Ball and Laura Jones and their new Chardonnay focused winery, Sphaerics. I'm always interested to learn about other small family operated wineries, especially when we are neighbors here in Sonoma County AND they are also created by people who are both partners in Life AND Business, like Michael and I. Listen as I sit down with Bria...

Sign up for my free downloadable wine tips cheat sheet here , which is a great learning companion to this episode! If you'd like to Support the Podcast , you can buy Nikki a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode! Episode Notes: Alright class, (don’t worry, it’s Wine School)… This week is what we call in wine tasting a "Revisit", which sounds so much classier than saying "can I have...