The Big Sip

What started as a Madonna jukebox musical turned into something far more powerful. In this episode of The Big Sip , Charlene Alberto shares the story behind Sol The Musical — a groundbreaking original and vibrant play that captures identity, migration, and reclamation. In this episode, Charlene takes us through her artistic process, the challenges of writing original music, the decision-making tha...

As a third-generation farmer born in Mexico, Gerardo Espinosa is a key player redefining Lodi’s wine narrative. Often mischaracterized as merely a bulk wine region, Lodi has much to offer, and Gerardo is committed to showcasing the region’s true quality and variety in producing premium, high-end wines. Gerardo’s journey begins with his grandfather, Victor Anaya, who immigrated to the United States...

Derek Baljeu is a master of mindset, understanding you have to see to be. His philosophy on life offers a unique perspective that ultimately influences his winemaking style, his daily work-life integration (challenging us all to rethink “work-life balance!”), and how he, much like anyone, can and should serve their community. As the Head Winemaker of Knights Bridge Winery, Derek’s passion and dedi...

People come from all different backgrounds and their own unique set of life experiences, but what often unites kids of immigrants is an understanding of resilience, perseverance, doing the best with what you have, and often times being the first to do many "firsts." Salvador was the first in his family to go to college, the first to travel abroad for a harvest internship, the first to become a win...

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...

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 o...

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 V...

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...

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...

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 countri...

Climate change has been a constant battle throughout the last several decades, especially as it relates to policy and effective change. While it can feel overwhelming wondering when we will see that change, it's important to also think about how we can personally invest in combating climate change, specifically how to mitigate our water footprint. After all, California is an agricultural mecca wit...

It's amazing what we can accomplish when we get out of our own way. When we dream and decide to put action into going after those dreams. For Jamele, many of those dreams have been possible to realize because of the community of people who surround him. Early on in his childhood, it was his community that instilled a belief that he would be magnanimous and accomplish anything he wanted to. In his...

For more than a decade, Aminah "Chef Mimi" Robinson-Briscoe has focused on the often-overlooked intersection of food, social justice, and entertainment. In her article, "Black Girls Don’t Eat Avocados: A Holistic View of Food Disparities in the Black Community,” Chef Mimi shares her own personal food journey and the philosophy that informs her work. A proud Oakland native, Chef Mimi is the founder...

Terroir is the idea that wines made in different places will taste like that place, taking on the characteristics of the geography and culture in which they were produced. The same could be said about music --it takes on the character of the place and time in which it was written. So can digital terroir exist? I like to think so, and there's one powerhouse Latina who's leading the trail as a digit...

Born and raised in Modesto, CA with parents from Michoacan, Mexico, Chris grew up on American culture with love for his family's Mexican roots and customs. In Episode 27 we dive into what it means to stay true to your roots, crafting a brand and collection of wines that speak to Hispanic roots and Latin culture from a region that's rarely given the recognition it should (shoutout to Lodi!). Chris...

I can become lo que yo deseo. This is Armando Tam's mindset. On episode 26 of The Big Sip, Amando Tam and I joked how I didn't really know how to introduce him because he's involved in so many different industries - food, sports, business development, culture--but at the core is a human who simply wants to do and become anything he loves, while simultaneously ensuring there are opportunities and p...

From the beginning Jaton Gunter has always been a writer. As a young child, Jaton gravitated towards writing poetry, eventually channeling a little bit of Darius from Love Jones as he grew older. Not only was he great at writing poetry, he knew his talent could help pave a way to connect deeper with women and understand the world that surrounded him. With time, this talented, young black man soon...

Mailynh Phan is the definition of industry trailblazer full of pure joy and light! It's been more than a decade since she began managing operations as the CEO for the Vietnamese-owned, women-run winery that's geographically on the outskirts of Napa Valley. Not only is she leading a winery that pays homage to her heritage, she's also ensuring anyone who interacts with RD Winery truly feels communit...

In episode 22 of The Big Sip, I had the honor of sitting down with Jose Becerra, a skilled self-taught Latino photographer living in the East Bay Area. Looking back, he notices how everything began aligning from the moment he was a child. Both his father and uncle were artists, and while he never thought much about art as a child he always had an itch for creativity.  Though his family would consi...

Justin Trabue is a head-strong, determined femme whose ready to slay any goal she sets her heart on--whether it's horseback riding, co-founding a non-profit wine club, or creating a financial and equitable pipeline for future BIPOC students' success. As she put it: "I do what I do so that future generations don't have it as hard as I did." While her passions have always been many, wine has always...

Victoria Coleman is currently the Director of Winemaking and winemaker for Lobo Wines. While she passionately loves this industry, it wasn’t always on her radar. Originally, Victoria was studying Computer Science but was exposed to the world of wine through a friendship founded in Mexico while on vacation. Needing a change of scenery, she moved out of Seattle and headed to Napa to take a chance on...

The power of the internet is truly amazing! Two strangers connecting from opposite sides of the Coast through technology, both on a mission to amplify and elevate the BIPOC experience in wine. That's exactly what happened when I met Angela McCrae, powerhouse woman and founder of Uncorked & Cultured, a media company and lifestyle brand that curates original content, e-commerce and global experi...

Each story has its abstract nuances, and without words, it's a visual artist's language. Sakhon's language and soul is global and boasts with curiosity. Having extensive experience, education, and training in both Interior Design & Photography, this phenomenal human has collaborated with major corporations like Pottery Barn and small "mom and pop" shops locally in Napa Valley, including Bottle...

"Un brindis por aquellos que nos miran y sonrien desde el cielo!" Those are the words you'll find on La Cheve's webpage, an homage and cheers to those that have come before us, who watch over us and are smiling down from the heavenly skies.  What started out as a fun experiment and beautiful bonding activity with Cinthya Cisneros and her dad in their garage, has quickly expanded and resulted in on...

His mother would say his love and passion for food and creativity started with binging Food Network (long before binging was a legit thing@), entice by Emeril Lagasse, but he'd tell you it started with his dad, serving up a signature dish for Howard County's community fundraiser, "Man in the Kitchen," benefitting the Museum of African Culture. A graduate of the Culinary Institute's Hyde Park, Chef...