This episode is a first and doesn't feature a wine but Mocel Mezcal! BIO:Rosalinda Mendoza is CEO and Co-Founder of Mocel Mezcal, an e-commerce company that delivers ultra-premium artisanal mezcales to your home to create a shared tasting experience. Rosalinda was born and raised in rural Washington to farmworker immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico. Between growing up in the farmlands of Washington State and visiting her grandparents in rural Michoacán, she understood and appreciated the hard work of cultivating and making real food and beverages. Rosalinda and her sister co-founded Mocel Mezcal, which crafts mezcales from Michoacán using 400-year-old artisanal methods with two ingredients – agave and water. Prior to venturing into entrepreneurship, Rosalinda held roles in management and marketing for various organizations including IBM, Starbucks and the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust, a non-profit working to improve housing conditions for families in rural Washington. Rosalinda also continues to play an active role as mentor in FOSTERing MBA Access, a program she co-founded as an MBA student to recruit students of color and women into UW’s highly ranked MBA program. Rosalinda has an MBA from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Economics from Whitman College. Rosalinda and her boot-wearing, bull-riding husband enjoy spending time in the Yakima Valley, hanging out at rodeos with family and expanding their mezcal collection.Instagram

Wine: Herencia Del Valle Sauvignon BlancBIO:Originally from Los Angeles, Geena the Latina has been a staple on San Diego’s #1 Hit Music Station Channel 933 for more than 14 years. Arguably one of the most recognized and beloved radio personalities in San Diego, Geena is the host of “The Geena the Latina and Frankie V Morning Show.” She was voted as “Best Radio Personality” in the San Diego Union Tribune in 2019.  In 2018, she was recognized by California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher’s 80th district as Woman of the Year. April 17th, 2018 was also named as “Geena the Latina Day” by the city of San Diego. She also appears weekly on Fox 5 San Diego giving viewers a look at what’s happening around town every weekend. Geena has accumulated more than 50,000+ followers on social media staking her claim as one of San Diego’s most influential social media “influencers.” In the summer of 2015, she served as a fill-in for Ellen K on the nationally syndicated Ryan Seacrest show on 102.7 KIIS FM Los Angeles. Prior to her current show, Geena served as the co-host of the Kramer and Geena morning radio show for five years and before that served as the co-host on the AJ in the Morning Show on KMYI Star 94.1 San Diego and female co-host on KHTS Channel 933 San Diego’s AJ’s Playhouse.  Geena has quickly become one of the most well-known radio on-air hosts, being named the “Best Radio Personality in San Diego” in 2014 Ranch and Coast Magazine’s Best of San Diego issue. Geena has been through more than most in her young life, having had two teenage brothers killed due to gang violence, which is why she has such a strong passion for the inner city youth of her community.She spends her free time visiting local middle schools and high schools inspiring them to become more than what is expected of them. Geena was the first in her family to graduate from a 4-year university and was also the founding president of the first-ever Latina based sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where she also received a softball scholarship. She has been a member of the National Latina Business Women’s Association, served as an honorary board member for the MANA organization San Diego Chapter and has participated in numerous local charities. She truly loves life and appreciates everything that she has been blessed with.Social MediaInstagram

Wine: Javier San Pedro, Tempranillo RiojaBIO:Arzo Yusuf, is the founder and CEO of Sexy Boss Babe, a social impact company that focuses on women empowerment and the link between foster youth and human trafficking.WebsiteInstagramSexy Boss Babe Instagram

Wine:BIO:Heidi Rojas is a hit songwriter, artist, and first generation Latina based in Los Angeles, CA. She co-wrote two UK #1 singles: Little Mix’s first single “Wings” and Cheryl Cole’s single “Crazy Stupid Love” among many other notable releases. She is also a songwriting and performance coach with many students around the world. Heidi also develops artists, using her 15 years of experience and relationships in the music industry to help artists fulfill their career goals. Her debut single "La Situacion" is now available on iTunes and Spotify!Website: www.heidirojas.comInstagramTikTok

Wine: Surcos Wine, 2019 TempranilloBIO:Insightful Babes has made made it their mission to be a voice with all of the Hustlers, Dreamers, Outsiders, and Visionaries out there. They strive to show all the Reinas out there that it's time to straighten out their crown and live their life to their highest potential. Insightful Babes was created in June 2019 by two amigas, Diana Contreras and Maria Garibay, as a Latina owned Brand and Podcast. Coming from hispanic traditional beliefs, Diana and Maria decided to share their entrepreneurship journey, ups, and downs, inspire, empower, and help others who are not being themselves because of fear, or because of traditional beliefs. ​Insightful Babes is an English, Spanish, Spanglish platform.Insightful Babes IGDiana ContrerasMaria Garibay

Wine: El Campeon, Portugal BIO:Jeannette Ceja is an award-winning bilingual travel journalist, television host, and global public speaker. As an on-air travel expert, she has appeared on BBC World News, ABC7 Los Angeles, WTTW Chicago, FOX 11 Los Angeles, Mexico Travel Channel, Good Day Austin, KUSI News, and other media outlets worldwide. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Belmont University and completed the Professional Program in Producing at the University of California, Los Angeles. While at Belmont, Jeannette interned at Fox News Chicago, WTVF- CBS in Nashville, the Tennessean newspaper, and completed the Chips Quinn Scholar Program for Diversity in Journalism. A respected and sought-after host, Jeannette has been the Master of Ceremony, Emcee, and Moderator at many international events, including The Global Tourism Forum in Turkey, The New York Travel Festival, The Changemakers Awards, The Global Voice Awards, The Latinas in Aviation Global Festival, and The Impact Travel Immersion Global Conference. In 2018, Jeannette was the Official Travel Host for The World Woman Summit at The Clinton Presidential Center. The following year, she was recognized as one of the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence by U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis and the Multi-Ethnic Advisory Task Force at the 7th Annual International Women's Day Celebration. In 2022, she received the Latina Joven de Impacto Mundial award from the Líder Gladiador Conference in Dallas, Texas. Also, Jeannette was honored as a Top 40 Under Forty Honoree by AL DÍA News in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Website: www.jetsetwithjeannette.comInstagramTwitterLinkedIn

Wine: The Butchery Cabernet Sauvignon from MoldovaBIO:Cynthia Ángel is the oldest daughter of Colombian immigrants. Born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens Cynthia began her career as a production assistant for a VFX company. Within a few months Cynthia was promoted to production manager and then transitioned into commercial producing, winning Clios and Cannes Lions for her campaigns for Spotify, Google, Nike, Vevo and Amazon. Although commercial work proved to be a source of income, Cynthia’s deep rooted love for film led her to found her own creative studio- D L A Films. Focusing on diversity in front of and behind the camera, Cynthia's goal is to bring cinematic and compelling stories to life all while giving a voice to the voiceless. SUN is Cynthia's first feature length film project and a continuation of her intention to tell the stories of those who come from backgrounds similar to her own.Website: www.dlafilms.com Cynthia Ángel IGDLA Films IG

Wine: Vin Chaud (red wine, brandy, spices) made by Jessica's boyfriend BIO:Erika Cruz is a Coach, Speaker, and Founder of Purpose Driven Latina. She helps her community align with their purpose, lead with courage, and find fulfillment. After eight years in the tech industry, Erika created a business by following her passion - all thanks to TikTok. As the proud daughter of Mexican Immigrants, Erika is aware of the lack of available resources to her growing up. She is on a mission to connect others with the tools and resources to be the best they can be. Erika has been featured in the NY Times, CNN, LA Times and she is just getting started.Website: https://www.theerikacruz.comInstagramCourage Driven Latina IG

Wine: 2021 Seis Soles White BlendBIO:Grace Gavilanes is an NYC-based writer, editor, and content strategist with 10 years of experience. She's a former magazine editor who's been published in People, Food & Wine, Mic, and InStyle, among other publications.Website: https://www.gracegavilanes.com/Instagram 

Join me as I attended the 2nd annual (but first in person) Latinx Wine Summit in Napa, CA hosted by Hispanics in Wine and The Roots Fund. Interviews (in order of appearance): Angela McCrae from Uncorked & CulturedChris Rivera, Owner of Seis Soles Wines Melissa Sanchez - AttendeeRafael Rios, Owner of Justicia WinesIkimi Dubose, Board Member of the The Roots FundLuis Roberto Caballero Orozco from Jackson Family WinesLuis Gallegos, Owner of Surcos WinesMarissa Torres - AttendeeMelissa Bravo - AttendeeMiriam Puentes (Honrama Cellars) and Lola Llamas (Llamas Family Wines), Owners of Las Del Vino Maria Calvert and Lydia Richards, Founder of Hispanics in WineGabriela Fernandez, Radio Host and MC for the Latinx Wine Summit    

Wine: Ring Ring Rose Wine, Italy2022 brought many changes for the podcast and even me personally. It has been a pleasure sharing the stories of all the guests this year and I look forward to what's to come in 2023...I'm also booking guests for 2023 so if you'd like to join me for some wine and chisme, click the link below!Tamales y Wine GuidePozole y Wine GuideLatiné Owned Wine Brands Based in the U.S.Be a Guest

Wine: Solorio Family Wines 2014 Cabernet SauvignonBIO:Liz Hernandez is a Mexican American Emmy-nominated television personality and journalist. As a former radio host and entertainment reporter for Access Hollywood, E! News and MTV, her career is built on words, but no chapter is more meaningful than the one she is currently living with WORDAFUL, a video and live event series that focuses on the importance of how we communicate with others and ourselves. Through WORDAFUL, Liz created a new form of storytelling that she hopes will encourage and connect us to the power of words. Liz believes we can create new realities for ourselves by changing our internal and external dialogue, ones that support more meaningful relationships and lives. “Our thoughts and words from yesterday are what make up our lives."Website: https://wordaful.comInstagramWordaful Instagram

Wine: 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Herencia Del Valle BIO:Jorge Narvaez is a father of 3, fatherhood case manager and content creator. For the past couple of years he has been active on and offline to spread his message of Family, Community, Art, Music and most importantly Fatherhood!Instagram 

Wine: Jose Wine Caves 2015 Mourvedre Brandi is the Founder of the Operation Growth Institute, a Global Transformational Learning Center where people can accept, heal, grow, and transform into the next iteration of their personal and professional best. For over twenty years, Brandi has honed her skill as a strategist, wellness expert, and coach. She helps clients identify their own solutions and specializes in coaching clients through her signature 12 steps to realize transformational growth. She examines how the barriers of generational baggage, fatherlessness, sexual trauma, single mother/fatherhood, racial identity and bias, and failure keep her clients from living their best life and helps her clients determine the next step. Brandi is a natural coach who has mentored and guided young leaders, honing her skills by providing personal and professional strategic support while leading young professional teams. She is also a certified Holistic Health Counselor by the International Board of African Thinkers, Priest and Healers, a certified Fatherless Daughters Advocate, and a student of the MMS coaching method. Brandi has studied with the Aspen Institute, Kellogg Foundation, Zuckerberg Institute, Iyanla Vanzant and the God Squad, Queen Afua, and Dr. Llaila Afrika. She studied for the International Coaching Federation accreditation with Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott.Website: https://brandirichardthompson.com/InstagramFacebook LinkedIn

Wine: RG|NY Cabernet FrancBIO:Che Guerrero has spent 16 years tackling race, politics, and family through stand-up comedy. Che's style is rooted in his experiences growing up undocumented. A revolutionary voice on the modern comedy scene, His sense of humor and command of the stage is the result of obstacles often unseen by the average American.InstagramTikTok