In this episode of Her Way, we sit down with Renee Saint-Amour, the co-owner and powerhouse behind 100 Suns Winery, one of Oregon’s most exciting rising wine labels. From her early career as a high school English teacher to becoming an integral part of the winemaking industry, Renee shares the unexpected twists that led her to co-found a winery with her husband, Grant Coulter.We explore the journey of building a wine brand from scratch, the challenges of balancing family, business, and identity, and the deep-rooted passion that fuels 100 Suns’ success. Renee gets candid about learning the craft on the go, making bold life choices, and what it takes to create wines that are both sophisticated and approachable.Whether you're a wine lover, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a good story about following your passion, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and inspiration.Tune in for a conversation about risk, resilience, and really good wine!
In this weeks episode of Her Way, Kate Williams shares her entrepreneurial journey and passion for plant-based ice cream in this episode featuring an unconventional wine and ice cream pairing. Discover how Kate's innovative approach blends indulgence with creativity.
In this episode, we sit down with Kate Payne-Brown, a trailblazing winemaker with roots in science and a passion for sparkling wines. From her journey in winemaking at Archery Summit and Stoller to the creation of her project, ‘Call Me Dolores,’ Kate shares her incredible story of transitioning from science to wine, building community, and balancing motherhood with a thriving career. Tune in to hear about the beauty of living in the gray, the evolution of Oregon’s wine industry, and how Kate is advocating for women in winemaking.
Meet Nori de Vega, the force behind 'Nom Nom Nori,' a platform that started as a simple Instagram page and evolved into a beacon for Portland's food and wine lovers. In this episode, we dive deep into her journey of accidental influencer fame, her unwavering support for local businesses, and her love for storytelling that highlights women, BIPOC, and the LGBTQ community.Discover how Nori's passion for food and social justice intersected during the pandemic, turning her into one of Portland's most trusted voices. Stick around for inspiring stories, wine recommendations, and a peek into her Filipino heritage! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more inspiring content!
In this episode, we sit down with Dana Frank, a sommelier, restaurateur, author, and founder of Hi-Five Imports, to explore the incredible twists and turns of her journey through the world of wine. From her early days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania to becoming a celebrated figure in Portland’s food and wine scene, Dana’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and reinvention. Dana shares how her love for cooking and seasonal ingredients led her to wine, sparking a career that has spanned nearly every corner of the industry—from working harvests to running iconic wine programs and opening Bar Norman, a beloved Portland wine bar. Along the way, she reflects on the challenges of balancing family, ambition, and a passion for natural wines, as well as the lessons learned from closing her bar during the pandemic. The conversation dives deep into Dana’s thoughts on the evolving wine world, the rise of natural wine, and her commitment to creating inclusive, approachable spaces for wine lovers of all levels. She also opens up about her newest venture, importing hidden gems from Austria, and the importance of honoring her family’s heritage in her work. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a lover of personal stories, or simply someone navigating career changes and self-discovery, Dana’s candid reflections and inspiring perspective offer something for everyone.
In this episode of Her Way the podcast explores how wine culture can often feel pretentious or exclusive, alienating everyday consumers. The guest, Samantha Cole-Johnson, a sommelier and wine writer, challenges the notion that wine appreciation must be tied to high costs or insider knowledge, advocating for a more approachable and relatable way of discussing wine. This includes integrating personal stories and humor to break down barriers.
In an insightful discussion, Brenda Smola Foti, founder of Tabula Rasa Farms, shares her journey from an artist to a regenerative farmer in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, focusing on her revolutionary approach to sustainable farming.This conversation brings to light critical issues in modern farming, challenging both the cultural and environmental status quo and advocating for a sustainable, inclusive agricultural future.About Brenda:Brenda Smola-Fotiis the founder of Tabula Rasa Farms - a 400-acre regenerative farm in the Willamette Valley, and co-founder of The Ground - a hospitality hub on the farm with beautiful accommodations, wellness-inspired events, community resources and a focus on harmony and revitalization. Brenda is also an artist and designer.
Lois Cho, co-founder of Cho Wines, shares her journey from nursing to becoming Oregon's first Korean-American winemaker. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating mental health, building a brand through social media, and fostering community with events like the AAPI Food & Wine Festival
Episode 3 of Her Way is here! Kelsey sits down and digs deep with Kelley Fox, one of Oregon’s first female winemakers. Having learned to make wine from Papa Pinot himself- David Lett. Kelley was the winemaker at iconic spots like Eyrie, Torii Mor, Hamacher and Scott Paul, before starting her own label Kelley Fox Wines in 2008, where she focuses on historic, biodynamically farmed vineyards that produce wines of place. Full video episode available on YouTube.
Sit down with Kelsey as she dive's into Kate Norris' world. Kate is the co-owner and co-winemaker of Division Winemaking Company in Portland, Oregon. Having grown up living all over the world—England, France, Bahrain, Switzerland, and Saint Louis to name a few—Kate developed a global perspective on wine. She learned winemaking in the Loire Valley and Auvergne regions of France before bringing her passion for minimal intervention, terroir-driven wines to Oregon, where she focuses on non-traditional varieties like Gamay Noir, Chenin Blanc, Aligote and more.
Visit Kate's Tasting Room at Division Wine in Portland Oregon
In the season premier of Her Way, Kelsey Glasser sits down with the first black woman to run a US winery and founder of the nonprofit organization Our Legacy Harvested, Tiquette Bramlett. Tune in as the conversation explores the nuances of being the first black woman to run a US Winery while also revealing the resilience of Tiquette's career.
Tiquette's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiquettebra...Tiquette's Nonprofit Our Legacy Harvested : https://www.ourlegacyharvested.com/Our Legacy Harvested Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ourlegacyharvested/
In this podcast series "Her Way", Sommelier and restauranteur, Kelsey Glasser, sits down with women in the wine industry and beyond exploring what it means to navigate as a woman in this business. Tune in to these conversations that uncover the hard truths of what women have to face in this industry and how they are still able to be resilient through it all. You will also get to know a little more about these women on a deeper personal level.There's little laughter, a little business and there may even some tears shed. Come join the conversation with "Her Way".
Video Episodes Available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLScRJmFzIY-DcOeTQRnBOEE8iwk5FitKl