Jacob Steiner- Robert Mondavi Winery- Jessika Hickman, and Jennifer Alexander

Guests:

• Jacob Steiner – Brand Ambassador, Robert Mondavi Winery

• Jessika Hickman – Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands

• Jennifer Alexander – Key Account Manager (On-Premise), Lippman Brothers

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Episode Overview

In this episode, we sit down for an impromptu but lively conversation with three people shaping the way wine is experienced and sold in Nashville and beyond. From Napa Valley to Broadway, we dig into the history, trends, and future of wine in America.

Jacob shares his journey from Southern California surf kid to Napa Valley sommelier, his climb through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and what it’s like to represent one of the most iconic names in American wine. Jessika brings her insight on how trends are shifting in Nashville’s dining scene—where tequila, mocktails, and even THC drinks are competing for space alongside wine lists. Jennifer, with her deep background in sales and relationships, rounds out the discussion with a boots-on-the-ground perspective from one of Tennessee’s leading distributors.

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Key Topics We Discuss

• The Robert Mondavi Legacy: How Robert Mondavi helped put Napa Valley—and American wines—on the global map.

• Jacob’s Wine Journey: From hosting at King’s Fish House to Napa Valley, Montana, and beyond, plus his pursuit of the Master Sommelier certification.

• Wine Education: The difference between WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers, and what it really takes to blind taste at the advanced level.

• Shifting Consumer Trends:

• Sauvignon Blanc’s surge in popularity (California, New Zealand, and Napa styles).

• Portuguese wines as an approachable entry to European reds.

• Why Pinot Noir still rules and Merlot is making a comeback.

• The Nashville Angle:

• How over-saturation of restaurants is reshaping the market.

• Why more guests are choosing mocktails, THC seltzers, and low/no-ABV options.

• The tension between “what’s new” and what has stood the test of time.

• Mondavi’s Future: Sustainability, organic certification, cutting-edge winemaking technology, and the brand’s recommitment to its Napa Valley estate.

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Memorable Moments

• Jacob explaining the Court of Master Sommeliers exam process and what it’s like to be grilled on every wine region in the world.

• The group laughing about the impact of “Sideways”—how one line in a movie crushed Merlot’s reputation for decades.

• A candid discussion about the post-pandemic relationship with alcohol, mocktails, and how restaurants adapt.

• Jennifer reflecting on her liquor store roots and how being a “chameleon” in relationships has fueled her success.

• Jacob’s final takeaway: “Wine doesn’t have to be fancy all the time. Drink it with friends, enjoy it, and have fun.”

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Why You Should Listen

If you love wine, hospitality, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how brands, distributors, and restaurants work together to shape what’s in your glass, this episode is for you. It’s equal parts education, storytelling, and a reminder that wine is about connection—not pretension.