Wines and Wins

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 Bibamba Artisan Chocolate, a local artisan chocolate company in Denver known for making high-quality, ethically sourced chocolate with cacao beans from the owners’ family farm in Cameroon, which then get turned into chocolate in Colorado.Our discussion ranges from his entreprenurial journey, the World Trade Center Denver Global Entrepreneur Program, tips and tricks he has for other business owners, and reflections amidst it all.Learn more about Bibamba at: From Field to Bar: Ethical Cacao Farming for Sustainablity – Bibamba Artisan Chocolate

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 a game-changing tool that personalizes wine recommendations, democratizes wine knowledge, and even suggests pairings with your favorite foods—all at your fingertips.The Wine-Oh app is available for viewing and download here: WineOh – Best Wine Discovery App | Scan & Discover Wines

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 producers are winning in a world dominated by giants.The two discuss how New York's passage of the farm winery bill sparked a renaissance, empowering local farmers to craft and sell their own wines directly to consumers, bypassing outdated laws rooted in prohibition. Larry also breaks down the regional characteristics that make Finger Lakes wines unique—like the lighter, citrus-driven Chardonnays and the approachable reds that keep visitors coming back. Plus, get insights on how the pandemic turned into an unexpected boom for small wineries and what today’s younger generations mean for wine’s future.

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 celebration. Stay tuned for more episodes that blend the art of wine with the adventure of travel. Follow "Wines and Wins" on Instagram for updates, giveaways, and a taste of what's to come!

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, cuisine, and local wines, with some of Donato's favorite local recommendations listed below:Fiano di Avellino DOCG Pendino 2024 – Colli di CastelfranciCilento DOP Fiano Kratos 2023 – Luigi MaffiniAglianico del Taburno Tempo del Canto DOCG 2020 – SantiquarantaIrpinia DOC Aglianico 2019 – Montesole

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 with a Vilinka Blatina from the Herzegovina region. For Bosnian listeners, a bottle can be purchased here: Vilinka Blatina 0,75L | hedonism.baFor all other listeners, a bottle may be purchased here and they ship to various countries: Vilinka Blatina 750Ml - www.bestalcoholstore.com

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 health. We chat all about food, wine, labels, and discuss Jen's journey as an entrepreneur. This episode is paired with a 2022 Bedrock Old Vine Zinfadel, which can be purchased here: Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel — Bedrock Wine Co.

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. Weimer chardonnay, available for purchase here: Chardonnay – Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard Online StoreDjenita also highlights her new ambassadorship with Wine Girl, fun wine merchandise, which is available for purchase here with 15% off for her listeners with the code DJENITA: WINE GIRL – WINE GIRL SHOP

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 to chat all things Italy, wine, Cantina del Vesuvio's rich history, and so much more!Naturally, the wine pairing for this episode was the Cantina del Vesuvio Bianco wine, available for purchase here: Bianco Vesuvio Lacryma Christi DOC – Cantina del Vesuvio wine

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: www.winetalkbook.com), and her book launch event in Denver on September 11, 2025 (tickets available here: The Fashionista's Guide to Wine Talk | BOXSTATEBASH)We pair this episode with a crisp glass of Halter Ranch 2023 Grenache Blanc, which is available for purchase here: 2023 Grenache Blanc

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 with a Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore sparkling wine from Valdobbiadene, Italy and can be found in various locations throughout the US as well as on wine.com, as linked here: https://www.wine.com/product/santa-margherita-prosecco-superiore/49672

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 their wines can be found here: Latigo Winery - Wines

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 for purchase here: Kia Ora - Wine | Total Wine & More

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 Noir. More information on the vineyard and their wines can be found here: Wines - Fox Fire Farms

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 this particular wine can be found here: https://vinicolaemeve.com/en/emeve-wines/malbec

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 Riesling | Horse Mountain - Balistreri Vineyards

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 and Wins consists of! Get ready to explore, both domestically, and internationally, with Wines and Wins!This episode is paired with a Fox Fire Farms 2023 Juliet Rose from Ignacio, Colorado. Purchasing options for this wine may be found here: https://foxfirefarms.com/where-to-buy/

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 entrepreneurial journey.This episode is paired with a glass of the 2021 Moraitis Estate Paros Reserve, available for purchase here: https://jmpwines.com/products/2017-moraitis-estates-paros-reserve

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 include viticulture. This episode is paired with a 2021 Askaneli Saperavi Qvevri, available for purchase here: Best local price for 2021 Askaneli Brothers Saperavi Qvevri - stores near you in Colorado, USA

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 passed down for generations. We paired this episode with a 2022 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay that can be purchased here: 2022 Pastorale Chardonnay || Joseph Phelps Vineyards

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 the Blue Beryl's website here: https://www.theblueberylwinery.com/ourwine

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 a 2023 Staminaki Moschofilero from Greece, available for purchase here: https://www.liquorcave.com/products/stamnaki-peloponnese-moschofilero-2023?srsltid=AfmBOopi9nopznGo-mlLp1tx7J41Gg5RTw5LPcy_04L-bmikMDcrnYYWFor those residing in Colorado, you may also purchase this wine and numerous others from the Wine Seller, located in Monument, Colorado. Their website is available here: https://thewineseller.net/

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 delicious white wine particular to Sicily. This wine may be purchased at https://www.di-giovanna.com/en/store-2/.More on Jen's travel company is available here: https://www.sicilianencounters.com/about

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 decades of experience. She is the founder of Red Lily Media LLC and Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Success Magazine. She is also the author of My Heart, My Self: A Heartfelt Guide For Women Who Do Too Much, available for purchase on Amazon.The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon from One Hope Winery that is this episode's wine pairing may be purchased at the following link: https://www.onehopewine.com/shop/product/vintner-cabernet-sauvignon?srsltid=AfmBOopkdU6g4aHbw9tXEeiCzC8fwgdIrqJmwhcI09-buj4UBVOMx5AH

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 (NAWIC), and Chair for the Programs Committee for the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) in Colorado to discuss empowering young women, professional goals, and a California Brut that you can't go wrong with!The wine paired with this episode is a Roeder Estate Brut and is available for purchase here: https://www.totalwine.com/wine/champagne-sparkling-wine/sparkling-wine/brut/roederer-estate-brut/p/454750?glia=true&cid=plia:Shopping+US+None+ENG+SPART:::google&s=2301&&pid=cpc:Performance+Max%2BUS%2BCOLO%2BSTANDARD+PRIORITY::google::&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhJS5t7CGjAMVSjMIBR2PqRueEAQYASABEgKHbvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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: https://www.amazon.com/Giesen-Non-Alcoholic-Sauvignon-Blanc-Dealcoholized/dp/B0CN2HHGLG?th=1

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 here: https://www.vivino.com/US/en/ruffino-aziano-chianti-classico/w/2184?year=2021&price_id=35538180&bottle_count=1&srsltid=AfmBOopjx1eEvxW4ICaxJSWaSWVsbxP2CqUA-gHZAtczZ1kk5XVMmqzsfwo&region_id=110007

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 education.This week's episode is paired with a glass of R. Pouillon Grande Vallee Extra Brut Champagne, available for purchase at https://www.premierchampagne.com/products/r-pouillon-grand-vallee.html.

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 for purchase here: https://daouvineyards.com/trade/wines/2022-discovery-daou-cabernet-sauvignon?

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 glass of 2021 Escudo Rojo Gran Reserva by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, available for purchase at the following link: https://louelladurham.com/products/2021-escudo-rojo-carmenere-gran-reserva

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 Sauvignon 2022 available for purchase through Naked Wines at https://www.nakedwines.com/wines/franc-dusak-sonoma-whiskey-barrel-cabernet-sauvignon-2022.

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 https://venetsanoswinery.shop/products/santorini-assyrtiko. (We note that the link provided reflects that the bottle available for purchase is from the "Giannas" vineyard and the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. However, the 2021 vintage discussed in this episode is from the winery's "Ag. Marina" vineyard and fermented in oak.)

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 Two Rivers Winery's Vintner's Blend, available for purchase on the winery's website at https://tworiverswinery.com/buy-wine.

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 2020 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, which is available for purchase at https://www.jordanwinery.com/product/jordan-cabernet-sauvignon-2020.

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 insights that can benefit audiences across the board. This discussion is had over a glass of 2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay which is available for purchase at https://www.ste-michelle.com/chateau-ste-michelle/shop/all-wine/5637155140.com.

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.

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!