Napa, California (November 20, 2024) – Hispanics in Wine & Spirits, a nonprofit organization providing educational and career-advancement opportunities to Hispanic and Latine beverage professionals, will host the first Sip & Sabor Festival in Napa, California on December 6-7, 2024. The two-day celebration will offer a cultural and collaborative exchange for industry professionals and enthusiasts around salient topics regarding wine, spirits, and the vibrant Hispanic and Latine communities shaping the industry.
Sip & Sabor aims to inspire, connect, and empower professionals and enthusiasts through a comprehensive program consisting of sip sessions, networking opportunities, educational panels, and a Grand Tasting Celebration. Session content will address the ever-evolving landscape of wine and spirits, addressing challenges and offering tools, techniques, products, and ideas that will shape the future of these industries.
The festival will feature over 20 speakers, including luminaries and emerging voices from across the wine, spirits, and culinary worlds. Highlights from this year’s lineup include:
- Dr. Laura Catena: Award-winning fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, and acclaimed author.
- Abe Zarate: Beverage Director at Contento, and Director of Impact at Corporate Pero Latinos, recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 Tastemakers of 2024.
- Regina Sanz: Sr. Director Global Marketing & Strategy, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, another Future 40 Tastemaker of 2024.
- Gerardo Espinosa: Managing Partner & Winemaker at Lodi Crush, Winemaker of Anaya, and Wine Consultant at Dos Cuernos, also named a Future 40 Tastemaker of 2024.
- Lynnette Marrero: Co-Founder of Speed Rack, MasterClass host, award-winning bartender, Liquid Creatives Director Aplós, and Chief Mixologist at Delola.
- Chef Rogelio Garcia: Michelin-starred Executive Chef at Auro, Finalist for James Beard Award for Best Chef California 2024, and book author, Convivir: Modern Mexican Cuisine in California’s Wine Country.
The cornerstone of the event is the Grand Tasting Celebration, where attendees can explore, sample, and connect with over 30 exceptional wine and spirits brands representing regions such as Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Oregon, Mexico, Argentina, Italy, and beyond. This vibrant showcase will highlight the artistry, innovation, and passion that define these industries.
Sip & Sabor is rooted in collaboration, made possible through the generous support of sponsors like Marriott Napa Valley Hotel & Spa, Riunite, Cavicchioli 1928, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Caymus Vineyards, Firetree Vineyards, Rémy Cointreau, Napa Valley Vintners, La Cheve Bakery & Brews, Matanzas Creek, Co^lluvial, Gonzales Wine Company, O’Donnell Lane, Jasmine Gonzales Photography, Napa Chamber of Commerce, and SevenFifty Daily. Additionally, partnerships with organizations such as The Roots Fund, The Hue Society, Co-Fermented, A Balanced Glass, Wine Unify, Maryam & Co, and others reinforce the festival’s mission to foster inclusivity, diversity, and shared success within the industry.
“This festival is a celebration of culture, innovation, and the incredible contributions of Hispanic and Latine professionals in wine, spirits, and beyond,” says festival emcee and co-organizer Gabriela Fernandez of The Big Sip. “Through Sip & Sabor, we hope to inspire and advance a stronger, well-informed community while honoring the heritage and ingenuity of our industries.”
Maria Calvert and Lydia Richards, co-founders of Hispanics in Wine & Spirits comment: “Our mission is to cultivate inclusive spaces where Hispanic/Latine trade professionals and consumers can engage in meaningful conversations that celebrate the integration of these exceptional beverages into our customs, celebrations, and traditions—all while promoting balance and well-being. Events like Sip & Sabor provide a platform for wine and spirits brands to showcase their commitment to cultural authenticity and foster genuine connections with their target audience, particularly our community which is eager to be part of the conversation and equipped with the spending power to support these brands.”
Sip & Sabor Festival Event Details
When: December 6-7, 2024
Where: Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
Tickets: Available now at hispanicsinwine.com/sipandsabor-tickets
For more information, including the full schedule and lineup, visit hispanicsinwine.com/sipandsabor. For media inquiries, interviews, or press passes, please contact Katie Canfield at katie@odonnell-lane.com or 530-720-1138.
About Hispanics in Wine & Spirits
Amplify. Connect. Celebrate. Rooted in community and representation, Hispanics in Wine & Spirits, Inc. (HIWS) is a non-profit organization providing educational and career-advancement opportunities to the ever-growing Hispanic and Latine community of beverage professionals in the United States and worldwide. From a comprehensive directory of wine professionals and strategic partnerships to events, scholarship opportunities, and more, HIWS aims to connect, amplify, and support the ever-growing Hispanic and Latine community.
