The Sipping Point: Wine, Food & More!

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 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 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 Show on YouTube, where she and her fellow tequila educators dive deeper into agave spirits, producers and tequila culture.
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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at 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.
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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!

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Check out all the great events Laurie has on the calendar on her website at 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!

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