This week, Michael (in his official co-hosting debut) and I are sitting down with Mark McWilliams, Co-Owner of Arista Winery in Healdsburg CA (Sonoma County). Listen to our heartfelt and hilarious conversation, as we sip 2 beautiful wines while the sun sets and harvest moon rises in the vineyard around us. (Poor us). Mark is an enthusiastic storyteller who shares:How his family came from Texarkana, TX to Sonoma CountyThe ups and downs of starting and owning a winery How NOT competitive the wine industry is A sad but amazing story about their first harvest and a special human Ulises Valdez (read more about him here)What’s an Appellation and why does it matter?How there is an “Ocean of shitty Chard” on the planet (his words, I agree) The concept of “Tension” in wineHis thoughts on the HOT TOPIC of natural wine (not NATURAL wine)Check out Arista’s website to be a part of their “A List” and get in line for all allocation of their exquisite wines. If you are visiting Napa/Sonoma, I highly recommend you book a visit to Arista (and tell them you heard about it on Sip With Nikki!)If you need a unique and delicious wine for Thanksgiving try my Sollevato Wines...(yes I'm biased, I make it)! Use code PODLISTENER for 10% off your order. I can ship to most states in the US!You NEED some Olives and Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy me a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode.Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)Questions? Comments? Guest requests? [email protected]