PODCAST · society
Wines and Wins
by Djenita Svinjar
Wines and Wins is a show that follows host, Djenita Svinjar, who invites guests from all walks of life to share a glass of wine and their journeys in overcoming various obstacles and hurdles in their personal and professional lives. The show centers on Djenita's affinity for fine wines and sharing others' stories with the world.Follow us on Instagram @winesandwinspodcast
Episodes
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Episode 43: A Toast to New Beginnings: Phelps Insignia, Pregnancy & Motherhood
In this episode, Djenita returns to the show and shares some exciting personal news with the audience as she discusses the last few months, while sipping on a 2022 Joseph Phelps Insignia she encourages her audience to try. The Phelps Insignia can be purchased here: 2022 Insignia | Joseph Phelps...
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Episode 42: Innovation on Tap: Inside ALKAA Alcohol Purifier
In this episode, we sit down with Founder and CEO of ALKAA, Paul Lagerstedt. Paul shares the revolutionary solution he developed after decades of experiencing discomfort from red wine, beer, and spirits. His journey from diesel mechanic to inventor uncovers the surprising science behind a simple...
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Episode 41: The Red Wine Diaries
In this episode, we sit down with Andrew, the creator and visionary behind The Red Wine Diaries, a social media account exploring the world of red wine from Glasgow, Scotland. We chat about our wine journeys, what wine connoisseurs should keep in mind when it comes to tastings, and tips and…
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Episode 40: Hopelands Coffee: Beyond the Bean
In our fourth and final installment in our series done in collaboration with World Trade Center Denver ("WTCD"), we chat with Kelvin Melgar, the founder and entrepreneur behind Hopelands Coffee. We discuss Kelvin's journey, the inception of his business, and how his heritage, purpose, and...
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Episode 39: Sun Ghee's Inspirational Story Built on Wellness and Recovery
This episode is part 3 of our 4-part collaboration with World Trade Center Denver ("WTCD"), where we highlight fascinating and inspiring immigrant entrepreneurs, their products, and WTCD's global entrepreneur program. In this episode, we chat with Farnosh Family, the founder of Sun Ghee, a...
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Episode 38: Leemu Sauces and The Story Behind It All
As a continuation of our mini-series in collaboration with World Trade Center Denver, in this episode, we sit down with the mother-daughter duo behind Leemu Superfood Sauces—a brand turning everyday meals into nutrient-packed experiences without sacrificing flavor. From their roots in globally...
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Episode 37: Bibamba Chocolates and a Global Entrepreneurial Spirit
As the first of a special four-part mini series in conjunction with World Trade Center Denver, we talk to four local entrepreneurs in the Denver area about their businesses, backgrounds, and products and services. First up, we have Patrick Tcheunou, the visionary and one of the co-founders behind...
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Episode 36: The Wine-Oh App
Most wine lovers feel overwhelmed by endless options and confusing labels—that’s exactly what inspired Jason Markey to create Wine-Oh, an AI-powered app transforming how we discover, choose, and enjoy wine. In this candid conversation, Jason reveals how a side project in Los Angeles evolved into…
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Episode 35: Finger Lakes & Leap of Faith Takes
In this episode, Djenita sits down with Lawrence (Larry) Doolittle from Frontenac Winery, located in the Finger Lakes Wine Region, and Larry shares how pivotal legislation in the late 1970s transformed a sleepy region into a vibrant wine destination with over 500 wineries today—and why small...
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Episode 34: A Toast to New Beginnings- Welcome to Season 2!
As the podcast evolves, so does its focus. Djenita emphasizes the role of food in cultural experiences, promising more culinary insights alongside wine recommendations. With a commitment to authenticity and open dialogue, this season invites listeners to join a community of exploration and...
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Episode 33: Sip, Stay, Savor: The Amalfi Coast Experience
This week, for our season finale, we are joined by Donato Esposito, a hospitality entrepreneur and third generation hotelier whose family has been welcoming guests to the Amalfi Coast for decades at their stunning hotel, the Tramonto d'Oro, located in Praiano. We chat business, hospitality,...
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Episode 32: Roots and Routes: Balkan Wines and the Spirit of Travel
In this episode, we record live from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, discussing the Sarajevo Wine Weekend we recently attended, Balkan wines, and our aspirations for the platform as a whole in continuing to connect with global wine lovers and travels enthusiasts alike. This episode is paired…
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Episode 31: Uncorking the Truth: Clean Labels with Jen Smiley
In this episode, we have the honor of sitting down with Jen Smiley, founder and owner of Wake Up and Read the Labels, an incredibly popular clean eating platform, focused on helping people make sense of food labels, avoid misleading marketing, and choose ingredients that support their overall...
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Episode 30: Wine Not? A Spirited Escape to the Finger Lakes
In this episode, Djenita reflects on her latest journey back to the Finger Lakes Wine Region in New York, some of her favorite eatery and accommodation recommendations, along with her favorite wines from the area, and the stories behind each of them. This episode is paired with a 2023 Hermann J....
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Episode 29: Italian Wines & Culture: A Conversation with Cantina del Vesuvio
In this episode, our special guest is our new friend who we met in Italy, Rosario Borrelli. We met Rosario at Cantina del Vesuvio, a winery on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in Southern Italy, where he works as a wine tour guide. We hit it off and were so excited to have him join us on this episode...
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Episode 28: Wine Talk with Lauren Karch, Author and Sommelier
In this episode, we chat with Lauren Karch, sommelier, author, and owner of What's Wine is Yours, a wine event business. We chat about how to give people more confidence when discussing wine, Lauren's upcoming book, The Fashionista's Guide to Wine Talk (available for purchase here:...
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Episode 27: Celebrating Our Tenth Wedding Anniversary In Italy with Italian Wine
This episode is a part of our travel series and was recorded on the Amalfi Coast during our tenth wedding anniversary trip to Italy in August 2025. Charlie and I chat about our experiences, recommendations, everything we love about Italy, and our love of travel as a whole. This episode is paired...
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Episode 26: Wine Down and Open Up
An open and honest conversation on learning to deal with health struggles, the importance of leaning on your community, and just as importantly, enjoying a good glass of wine. This week's episode is paired with a 2024 Wrangler red blend from Latigo Winery in Colorado Springs. More on Latigo and...
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Episode 25: Borders, Buildings & Bottles: Pouring Over Foreign Affairs, Property Investments, and Life Decisions
We sit down with Wayne Smith, an entrepreneur from Austin, Texas, to chat all things relating to foreign relations, travel, property management, coffee companies, and, of course, wine, in our most recent episode. This week's episode is paired with a Kia Ora Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, available...
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Episode 24: Ambition by the Glass
This episode is part of our Travel and Taste Series! Here, we discuss Djenita's recent jaunts to Washington, D.C., Beaver Creek, Colorado, and a staycation in downtown Denver and highlight some of her favorite places to wine down! This episode is paired with a Fox Fire Farms Pomegranate Corot…
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Episode 23: Hearts and Harvests: Mexican Wine and Real Talk on Relationships
Djenita is joined by her husband, Charlie, and they open up about the realities of marriage, long distance love, and everything that goes into making a loving relationship work. This episode is paired with a fantastic Mexican Wine; a 2021 Emave Malbec from Guadalupe Valley. More information on…
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Episode 22: Vines and Visions- Storytelling Through Photography
This week, we have the pleasure of having Krista Henery on the show, who discusses her career as a reporter, her photography business, and the lessons learned from these journeys. This episode is paired with a 2022 Colorado Riesling from Balistreri Vineyards, which may be purchased here: 2022...
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Episode 21: Wine, Wander, Repeat
This week, we highlight the importance of travel, not only in our personal journeys, but when it comes to food and wine discoveries as well. As a result, we are excited to announce that we will be highlighting more of our travels on the platform, and integrating our travel tales into what Wines…
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Episode 20: Wine and Wealth
In this episode, we sit down and chat with Ali Markulis, one of the co-founders of the Wealth Collaborative, a financial firm helping empower women to own their wealth and pursue their ambitions through comprehensive wealth strategies. Ali and Djenita talk about various topics, to include Ali's...
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Episode 19: Grapes and Grants- The Relationship Behind Viticulture and Foreign Investments
This week, we sit down with two of Djenita's fellow U.S. Global Leadership Coalition NextGen cohort members, Sacha Francois and Brandon Pleiman, and the group discusses the importance of foreign aid as well as the interrelatedness behind foreign investments and various aspects of society, to...
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Episode 18: A Toast to Turquoise
This week, we sit down with Jenna Quinlan, who chats with us about her and her family's business, Inde and Sol, a new branch of Conejos Jewelry, which offers authentic handmade turquoise jewelry, as well as Native American handmade jewelry crafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques...
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Episode 17: Lessons Learned from Wine
This week, we dive into more of the background that led to the creation of this podcast and a few of the lessons Djenita has learned along the way from her wine journey to date. This episode is paired with a Colorado favorite, a 2022 Cabernet Franc from Blue Beryl Winery in Palisade. Check out…
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Episode 16: The Power of Connections
This week, we discuss the importance of connecting with others and ways to go about doing so. We highlight some recent events that brought the importance of this topic to light and some recommendations we have as to how to network and establish such connections. This episode's wine of the week is…
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Episode 15: Sicilian Encounters and Grillo Grapes
Jen DeJong joins us for this episode where we chat all things Sicilian culture, food, and how her travel company, Sicilian Encounters, came to fruition. Naturally, it only felt right to have a Sicilian wine pairing for this episode, so we sipped on a 2022 Helios Grillo wine from Di Giovanna, a...
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Episode 14: One Hope and One Heart
Kerrie Lee Brown is this week's guest and we dive into a thought-provoking conversation which discusses the importance of self care, balance, empowering others, and, of course, a fantastic glass of cabernet sauvignon. Kerrie Lee is an international journalist and media executive with over three...
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Episode 13: Empowering Women and Enjoying Sparkling Wine
This week's guest is a true trailblazer when it comes to women's rights and women in the construction industry! We sit down with Jessica Nuncio, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing from Naranjo Civil Constructors, President of the National Association of Women in Construction...
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Episode 12: Women's History Month
In this week's episode, Djenita discusses the importance of Women's History Month, highlighting some of the women who have shaped her journey, to include family, friends, and mentors. This episode is paired with a non-alcoholic Giesen Sauvignon Blanc, available for purchase here:...
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Episode 11: Legacies, investments, and Chianti
This week, Djenita sits down with David Corsini, a real estate investor and entrepreneur who discusses how his family legacy shaped his mentality on what he wanted out of life and lessons learned along his journey. This episode is paired with a 2021 Ruffino Wines Chianti, available for purchase...
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Episode 10: Enneagrams, Side Hustles, and Champagne
This week's guest is Nick Setterberg, a Major in the Air Force Reserves, Google Program Manager, DipWSET and wine educator, and leadership coach. Nick and Djenita chat about Nick's passion projects, to include leadership coaching, utilizing enneagrams, and, of course, their love for wine and wine...
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Episode 9: Relocation Journeys, Reflections, and Reaffirmations.
This week's featured guest is Parker Reid, a corporate and real estate attorney based in New York City. Parker and Djenita chat all things related to travel, relocating for work, why Manhattan beats Brooklyn, and so much more. This episode is paired with a 2022 Daou Cabarnet Sauvignon, available...
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Episode 8: Perseverance and Positivity
This week's episode features Nallely Gutierrez, an Implementation Specialist, immigrant, mom, and overall inspiration, all in one! Nallely talks about her journey as an immigrant hailing from Mexico, the challenges faced as a young mom, and truly coming into her own. This episode is paired with a...
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Episode 7: The Importance of Mental Health and Pursuing Yourself
This week's episode features Chelsea Brune, an attorney, author, and mental health counselor in training who discusses her career transition, the significance of mental health awareness, and the importance of looking inward. This episode is paired with a Franc Dusak Whiskey Barrel Cabernet...
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Episode 6: Travels, Epiphanies, and Reflections
Happy 2025! This week's episode foregoes a guest in having Djenita share her reflections from 2024 and provide her manifestations for the new year with the audience. This episode is paired with a 2021 Assyrtiko from Venetsanos Winery, available for purchase at...
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Episode 5: Wine Ventures, Military Tales, and The Space Industry
Charles Crouse joins us on this week's episode of Wines and Wins, where he chats about his time at the U.S. Air Force Academy, life in the military, tips for people transitioning from active duty to the civilian sector, and his career in the space industry. This episode is paired with a glass of...
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Episode 4: Raymond Rushing on Life, Law, and Leading with Faith
This week's episode highlights Raymond Rushing, Corporate Counsel of Global Litigation at Cummins, Inc. Ray discusses the law, provides insights for law students, gives pointers on entrepreneurship, and discusses how his faith has made him a better leader. This episode is paired with a glass of...
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Episode 3: Corporate Success, Personal Fulfillment, and Everything in Between
Djenita sits down with Ashley Valenzuela-Ruesgen, a community leader, advocate, and HR professional, to discuss leadership, climbing the corporate ladder, motherhood, and everything in between. Ashley shares her insights on the foregoing given her HR background but also provides various personal...
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Episode 2: Indira Bayer and Wines of Illyria
Djenita sits down with Indira Bayer, Founder and Executive Director of Wines of Illyria to discuss Balkan wines, Indira's unique journey, and valuable insight given her experiences. Wines of Illyria products, including those discussed during this episode, can be purchased at www.winesofillyria.com.
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Introductory Episode
Welcome to Wines and Wins! This brief introduction gives an overview of what guests can expect from our podcast series. We hope you enjoy the show!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Wines and Wins is a show that follows host, Djenita Svinjar, who invites guests from all walks of life to share a glass of wine and their journeys in overcoming various obstacles and hurdles in their personal and professional lives. The show centers on Djenita's affinity for fine wines and sharing others' stories with the world.Follow us on Instagram @winesandwinspodcast
HOSTED BY
Djenita Svinjar
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Wines and Wins have?
Wines and Wins currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Wines and Wins about?
Wines and Wins is a show that follows host, Djenita Svinjar, who invites guests from all walks of life to share a glass of wine and their journeys in overcoming various obstacles and hurdles in their personal and professional lives. The show centers on Djenita's affinity for fine wines and sharing...
How often does Wines and Wins release new episodes?
Wines and Wins has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Wines and Wins?
You can listen to Wines and Wins on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Wines and Wins?
Wines and Wins is created and hosted by Djenita Svinjar.
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