Wine & Chisme

Wines We're Drinking: Cremosi Vineyards Pinot Noir — Latina-owned winery based in Oregon This week's episode is one for the cultura and the closet, mija. Jessica sits down with Elvira Zamora, visionary founder of Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance — two platforms rooted in culture, community, and conscious expression. Elvira grew up in Lima, Peru, where reusing, repurposing, and refusing to waste were just a way of life. When she arrived in the U.S. at 10 years old, the wastefulness she witnessed was a full-on culture shock — and it sparked a lifelong commitment to sustainable fashion that she's turned into a movement. From the hidden health risks of fast fashion fabrics (yes, you might literally be wearing plastic) to the radical joy of clothing swaps and sewing circles, Elvira breaks it all down in a way that's real, funny, and genuinely eye-opening. She also shares the story behind Chicano Elegance, a glam gala she created after waiting two decades to see Latiné culture celebrated on a fashion runway — so she built the runway herself. This one will have you rethinking your closet, your consumption habits, and maybe even that wedding dress sitting in a bag in the back of your room. No judgment, just chisme and good wine. In This Episode We Cover: [00:00] Intro and welcome — Jessica introduces Elvira Zamora [01:18] Elvira's bio: Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance [03:32] Drinks check — Elvira's Arnold Palmer and Jessica's Cremosi Vineyards Pinot Noir [06:36] Why wine doesn't have to be snobby, and Latiné-owned wine brands [07:51] How sustainable living started for Elvira — growing up in Lima, Peru [10:11] Moving to the U.S. at 10 and the culture shock of American wastefulness [11:44] Back-to-school scams and the truth about consumption culture [14:03] Growing up wanting to fit in vs. what her parents taught her [16:00] "The drug is our consumption" — and what that means for the planet [18:17] How much we're really spending (the Walmart, Amazon, and Temu receipts don't lie) [19:24] Why Goodwill and Salvation Army are not the move — and what to do instead [20:26] Sway LA and fabric recycling centers — giving clothes a real second life [23:29] How Jessica shops: thrift finds, body changes, and the one-in-one-out rule [26:16] The health risks of cheap fast fashion — carcinogens, plastic fabrics, and your skin [28:37] Fashion as food: Taco Bell vs. abuela's handmade tortillas [30:05] How Elvira's journey into upcycling started — and her dad the tailor [32:03] Repurposing curtains into skirts and the art of slow fashion [36:08] Cadena Collective, Cindy Castro, and supporting artisans paid fair wages [40:26] How purchasing power is the only language corporations speak [42:48] Radical sewing clubs, clothing swaps, and fighting back with fun [43:45] How Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance came to be [44:43] Creating Chicano Elegance: a Met Gala by us, for us, starring us [49:10] The wedding dress conversation — how to repurpose meaningful pieces [54:13] ThredUp, fabric donation centers, and better ways to give clothes away [56:25] Prom dresses, domestic violence shelters, and giving directly to community [60:49] What's next — Thrifts.com relaunch (August/September) and the Chicano Elegance Gala in San Bernardino (September) [61:41] The challenges of building while working a 9-to-5 and caregiving for parents [64:29] What keeps Elvira going — and why passion has to be the reason [68:20] Chicano Elegance Foundation is now a 501(c)(3) — and the coffee table book [70:53] Closing thoughts: do it for yourself, do it for the next generation Connect with Elvira Zamora: Instagram: @thrifs_ Website: ChicanoElegance.com Website: Thrifts.com Fabric Recycling & Donation Resources: ThredUp: ThredUp.com Sway Fabric Recycling (Los Angeles): suay.com Search your area for domestic violence shelters, prom dress programs, and women's reentry organizations accepting clothing donations — and ask your community! Connect with Wine & Chisme: Website: thewineandchismepodcast.com Instagram: @wineandchisme TikTok: @wineandchisme YouTube: Wine & Chisme Podcast Threads: @wineandchisme LinkedIn: Wine & Chisme Podcast Latiné Wine Brand Directory: thewineandchismepodcast.com/directory Amplifying Latiné voices, one glass at a time. Salud, mi gente!

What we're Sipping Jessica ia aipping a 2022 Parra Wine Co. Chardonnay from Zenith Vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley, while Marisa sips nettle tea with electrolyte salt. Episode Summary In this episode of Wine & Chisme, Jessica sits down with Marisa Gonzales, a proud Mexican-American graphic designer, brand strategist, and the founder of Marisa Gonzalez Studios, for a deeply personal and empowering conversation. Based in Kansas City, Kansas, Marisa shares what it was like growing up as one of the only Latinas in a predominantly white suburb of Missouri, how chronic migraines and a serious car accident reshaped her path, and how she overcame medication dependency to reclaim her health and creativity. She also opens up about walking away from a toxic corporate job as a new mom, and how all of these experiences led her to build an intentional, client-centered design business that centers the voices of women, minorities, and nonprofits. What We Cover in This Episode Growing up Latina in Blue Springs, Missouri, one of the only Mexican-American families in a predominantly white suburb How Marisa's parents kept her culture alive through weekly family dinners, Mexican music, and tostadas at abuela's house- even without teaching Spanish The shared Gen X/elder Millennial experience of being raised without Spanish, and the generational trauma behind it Experiencing racial bias in school. From a teacher who gave her less attention than white students, to friends casually throwing around slurs The car accident in her 20s that broke her nose, injured her spine (C1/Atlas), and escalated into chronic migraines Her journey with Fioricet dependency, the first time she has spoken about this publicly, and how her husband Travis helped her taper off gradually Overcoming rebound migraines caused by the very medication she was using to function at work The toxic corporate job she left cold- on the day they wrote her up for calling in after her infant son got sick Using her maternity leave to quietly build her design business on the side before making the leap full-time Her non-traditional career path: graphic design → production artist → burned out at 2008 recession → physical therapy assistant → office job → full-time entrepreneur How her dad's encouragement to "follow your heart" changed the direction of her life What it means to center Latinidad and lived experience in brand strategy How she vets clients and intentionally limits her workload to protect her health and family Her certifications: Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and MWBE through the Kansas Department of Commerce Practical branding insight: why having a "signature look" is non-negotiable for standing out About Marisa Gonzales Marisa Gonzales is the CEO, Principal Strategist, and Designer of Marisa Gonzalez Studios, a boutique brand and web design agency based in Kansas City, Kansas. She helps women-owned businesses, minority entrepreneurs, and nonprofits build standout brands and websites that don't just look beautiful — they work. A proud Mexican-American woman, Marisa grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, navigating life as one of the few Latinas in a predominantly white community. That experience — of being unseen, mislabeled, and underestimated — shapes everything about how she shows up for her clients today. She is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) and as a Minority Women's Business Enterprise (MWBE) through the Kansas Department of Commerce. Marisa also lives with chronic migraines and late-diagnosed ADHD, and has built her business around flexibility, intentionality, and listening to her body — modeling for her clients that sustainable success is possible. Connect with Marisa Marisa's Website: MarisaGstudios.com → MarisaGstudios.com Instagram: @MarisaGStudios Facebook: Marisa G. Studios LinkedIn: Marisa Gonzalez

Welcome back to the second half of Season 6 of Wine & Chisme. Before diving into this special festival episode, host Jessica Yañez addresses the current state of our nation and the importance of community solidarity during these challenging times. In this episode, Jessica takes you to the O'wineside Baja Wine Festival, the second annual celebration of Mexican wine and Baja California's culinary spirit held in Oceanside, California. Join her as she connects with vintners from Valle de Guadalupe and shares their incredible stories and wines with you. Episode Highlights: A heartfelt message about current events and community resilience Behind-the-scenes footage from the O'wineside Baja Wine Festival Exclusive interviews with Baja California vintners An introduction to Mexico's premier wine region: Valle de Guadalupe Wineries Featured (in order of appearance): Salto de Fe Valle de Tintos Vinos de Garza Vinos Senti Menti Lomita Finca La Carrodilla Mina Penelope Winery Emevé Solar Fortún Hacienda Guadalupe Wines Vena Cava Winery Bodegas de Santo Tomás Vinos Plata Event Details: When: October 2025 (Second Annual Event) Where: Valle Oceanside at Mission Pacific Beach Resort, Pacific Lawn, Oceanside, CA Hosted by: MICHELIN-starred Chef Roberto Alcocer in partnership with La Competencia Distributing Featured: 27+ premium Baja California wineries Wines Tasted: 80+ wines from Valle de Guadalupe Culinary Experience: Gourmet bites featuring Imperia Caviar, 5 Jotas Jamón Ibérico, and Harbor Pelican Fish Market Baja Oysters Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico's premier wine-producing region, often called "the Tuscany of Mexico" or compared to Napa Valley from decades past. Key Facts: Location: Just 90 minutes south of San Diego and 14 miles north of Ensenada Production: Produces approximately 90% of all Mexican wine Number of Wineries: Nearly 200 wineries (as of 2024) Climate: Mediterranean-like climate with proximity to the Pacific Ocean Elevation: Vineyards planted at altitudes between 1,000-1,250 feet History: Wine production dating back to 1791 when Jesuit priests began growing grapes Learn More About Valle de Guadalupe: Valle de Guadalupe is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the Americas The region holds an annual Fiestas de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival) Most Valle de Guadalupe wines are consumed within Mexico and rarely exported to the US US Customs Information for Wine: California residents: 2 bottles per person duty-free Non-California residents: Up to 5 cases of wine allowed Always declare your purchases and follow customs regulations This episode begins with a powerful message about recent events affecting our community. Jessica honors the names of those we've lost: Renee Nicole Good Alex Pretti Luis Gustavo Nuñes Cáceres Geraldo Lunas Campos Victor Manuel Diaz Parady La Luis Beltrán Yañez-Cruz Heber Sanchez Dominguez Liam Ramos and countless others still being held in detention centers The Wine & Chisme Podcast creates an intimate space where professionals, artists, and changemakers across communities of color share their unfiltered stories of career, love, and personal transformation—all over a glass of wine and genuine conversation. Connect with Wine & Chisme: Website: www.thewineandchismepodcast.com Instagram: @thewineandchisme Host & Creator: Jessica Yañez Episode Theme: O'wineside Baja Wine Festival Season: 6 Production: Jessica Yañez

Join Jessica Yañez for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation with Raven Rodriguez, the viral TikTok creator behind the beloved music reaction videos with her Gen Z and millennial daughters. With over 280,000 followers, Raven has built a community by showing her daughters '70s and '80s music videos—and their reactions are pure comedy gold. In this episode, Raven shares the origin story of how blocking her daughter on TikTok led to internet fame, why she shows Maya "traumatic" videos (Chris Hansen has entered the chat!), and how she's intentionally breaking toxic generational patterns in Latino households. From sneaking out as a teen to creating safe spaces for her daughters, Raven opens up about motherhood, mistakes, and building trust through adaptability. You'll laugh, you'll cringe at the problematic lyrics we all sang without thinking, and you'll leave inspired by the beautiful relationship Raven has cultivated with her daughters—one video at a time. Topics discussed: How Raven's TikTok journey started (spoiler: her daughter blocked her) The viral music reaction videos and why they resonate Growing up Latina in the '80s vs. raising Gen Z daughters Normalizing inappropriate male behavior in music and culture Breaking generational trauma and building trust with your kids Chris Hansen, Queen Latifah, and the running jokes that unite generations Why social anxiety doesn't stop Maya from being hilarious on camera Upcoming movies and songs Raven can't wait to show her daughters Follow Raven Rodriguez: TikTok: @blkbird8

🍷 Wine of the Episode 2022 Parra Wines Chardonnay About This Episode In this powerful conversation, Jessica sits down with Alondra Alvarado, President & CEO of the San Diego Hunger Coalition, to explore the deeply personal and systemic realities of food insecurity—both locally and across the nation. Together, Jessica and Alondra discuss the current state of hunger in San Diego and nationwide, the dignity-centered approach needed in food assistance programs, and how community advocacy can create lasting systems change. It's a conversation about resilience, legacy, and the power of honoring every family's right to nourishment. Connect with Alondra Instagram LinkedIn San Diego Hunger Coalition About Wine & Chisme Hosted by Jessica Yañez, Wine & Chisme is where diverse voices share unfiltered stories of career, love, and transformation—one glass of wine and heartfelt conversation at a time.

What We Are Sipping On: 2022 Chardonnay, Parra Wine Co. Episode Description In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Wine & Chisme Podcast, Jessica sits down with Vanessa Vigil, Chief Marketing Officer at nglMitú, a leading digital media brand dedicated to elevating Latiné voices and culture. Vanessa shares her personal journey into media, the evolution of nglMitú, and the responsibility and joy that come with telling authentic stories from across the Latiné diaspora. From combating stereotypes to celebrating our community’s joy, creativity, and complexity, Vanessa breaks down how nglMitú uses storytelling to shift narratives in mainstream media — and why representation behind the scenes matters just as much as what appears on screen. Grab your glass and settle in — this conversation is honest, empowering, and full of the cariño and cultura you expect from Wine & Chisme. Key Takeaways Authentic storytelling is a responsibility, not a trend. Vanessa shares why nglMitú centers lived experience, community insight, and nuance in every project. Diversity within the Latiné community must be acknowledged and celebrated. One narrative can’t represent an entire diaspora — and nglMitú reflects that through multiple creators and voices. Representation behind the scenes matters. Hiring Latiné creatives, writers, and decision-makers directly impacts the stories that reach the public. Community is a superpower in media. nglMitú’s success stems from building trust and creating content that resonates across generations. Brands and partners play a role. Vanessa explains how collaborative opportunities can elevate Latiné creators instead of stereotyping them. Latiné joy is revolutionary. Telling stories that highlight our humor, brilliance, resilience, and love shifts culture more than people realize.

Wine I'm Drinking: 2021 Día de Muertos Cabernet by Honrama Cellers