And That's a Wrap on California!

If you missed last week’s newsletter, it was a full recap of shooting Week One of Her Way — and I’m thrilled to report that we just wrapped Week Two, officially completing the first two episodes of the season!

Over the course of nine shoot days between Napa and Sonoma, our powerhouse, all-female team worked their absolute tails off. I mean it — these women blew me away at every turn. Long hours, nonstop creativity, unwavering good attitudes, and so much laughter along the way. It felt less like a shoot and more like summer camp with your favorite girlies (and yes, there were more than a few references to The Parent Trap while in Napa :)

Here’s what our final week in California looked like:

Monday – Dalla Valle Vineyards

We kicked off the week with a mother-daughter powerhouse: Maya and Naoko Dalla Valle, of cult Napa fame. We learned what the term “cult wine” really means — think: the first wave of California Cabernets to earn perfect 100-point scores. We sipped the iconic Maya Cuvée (yes, it was named after her and, yes, it’s the one that got the cult score... No pressure!) We talked legacy, loss, and resilience. Naoko stewarded the winery through extraordinary success after losing her husband just a few years in, and watching her and Maya together was beyond inspiring. Add in two very photogenic corgis, and it was a day for the books.

Tuesday – Jolie-Laide

We crossed back to Sonoma to film with Jenny Schultz of Jolie-Laide, whom some of you got to meet in Portland at our wine dinner at Arden a few months ago. Jenny’s brand helped shape Sonoma’s early minimal intervention movement over a decade ago. Each year, Jolie-Laide completely reinvents itself — new grapes, new labels, new wines — and somehow, it all feels cohesive. Jenny opened up to us about imperfection, reinvention, and the courage it takes to let go of control. We left more than a little misty-eyed after her parting recommendation for women to carve their own paths: It’s worth it.

 Wednesday – Cadet Roundtable

Back in Napa, we hosted our roundtable discussion at Cadet. We were joined by writers J'nae Gaither and Stevie Stacionis, Cadet owner Taylor Kindred, and winemaker Priyanka Dhar French — the first Indian woman to lead a winery in the United States. The conversation was raw, real, hilarious, and empowering. Topics ranged from representation to burnout, imposter syndrome to Napa's perceived prestige. It was the kind of talk that left us pumped up for women making waves around the globe. I can’t wait for you to hear it.

 Thursday – Ryme Cellars and Magical Picnic

We headed into the foggy Russian River Valley to visit Megan Glaab of Ryme Cellars, whose brand has always colored outside the lines. Since 2008, Ryme has worked with Italian varietals, made one of the first American orange wines, and embraced a bold, nonconformist spirit. Megan’s rebellious approach — both intuitive and experimental — was a reminder that winemaking can break the rules and be a whole lot of fun. We then booked it back to Sonoma and shot a dreamy cold open sequence to capture the feeling of stepping into the region’s slow magic. You’ll see. 😉

 Friday – Scribe and a Hot Air Balloon!

We ended with a bang (and very little sleep). Our crew woke up at 3:30AM for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Napa — capturing jaw-dropping aerials and gaining a true sense of the valley’s unique topography. Then it was off to Scribe Winery to close out the week with Owner/Chef Kelly Mariani and Winemaker Corinne Rich. Scribe generously hosted us at their stunning Hacienda all week, and ending the shoot with a garden walk, wine tasting, and conversation about food, farming, and female leadership felt exactly right. Kelly, who trained at Chez Panisse and now runs Scribe’s culinary arm, embodies Sonoma’s agricultural soul. And Corinne reminded us how deeply community and collaboration run through the veins of this region.

We capped off our shoot with a final meal at Valley Bar & Bottle — one of the most beloved restaurants in Sonoma and the perfect setting to reflect on the whirlwind of the past two weeks. Over grilled peaches, garden greens and bottles of local Semillon and Valdigue, we toasted to each other, to the women who showed up for this project, and to the future we’re building together.

Tears of gratitude and admiration for one another flowed freely — and in that moment, surrounded by laughter and candlelight, it hit me just how special this is. To not only make this dream real, but to witness it unfold alongside the most inspiring group of collaborators I could ask for.

This is only the beginning.
Thanks for being along for the ride.

So much love,
Kelsey 

We’re still actively fundraising to complete the rest of Season 1 (with two more episodes each in Oregon and Washington). If you’d like to support Her Way—whether it’s $5 or $500—we would be incredibly grateful. Every penny goes straight to production, and we are grateful for every single one!