From Napa, with Love

I’m writing to you from sunny Napa Valley, where we just wrapped our very first week of filming Her Way! It feels so surreal to type.that After months (and, really, years) of dreaming, planning, and fundraising, we’re finally here — camera rolling, stories unfolding — and it’s thanks to so many of you.

We’ve got a crew of six badass women and I cannot begin to express how inspired I am by this team. They’re efficient, joyful, endlessly curious, and absolute troopers. We’ve been waking up at 5 a.m., leaving the hotel by 6:30, and filming before the midday heat kicks in — and yes, it’s been hot. But by shooting early, we’re able to wrap around 1 p.m., sit down for lunch (often generously donated by some of you!), capture extra B-roll and then take time to debrief by the pool. We’ve been staying at the Calistoga Motor Lodge at the north end of the valley — not a sales pitch, but it’s a retro-cool spot with a beautiful pool, zen spa, mean margarita and live music by the fire pits at night.

So, I thought I'd give you a peek into our first four days of Her Way. And if I’ve taken anything away from this experience already, it’s that wine regions are so much more complex than what we’re taught in the textbooks. Everything I assumed about California Cab, all the broad-stroke “rules,” have been challenged in the best way. These wines have wowed us with their elegance, finesse, and restraint — and the stories behind them are just as compelling.

Day 1: Corison Winery with Cathy Corison

We began our week with none other than Cathy Corison — one of the first women to graduate from the enology program at UC Davis, one of the first five female winemakers in Napa, and the first woman in Napa to own her own winery. This year marks her 50th harvest. Fifty. From the moment we walked in, she welcomed us with open arms and an open heart. Cathy is the kind of woman who’s never followed trends, always trusting her own palate and path — and that courage shows in the wines. Her daughter Grace joined us too, and it was a privilege to witness the gentle, powerful exchange between them. Grace is poised, humble, and incredibly articulate, and watching her step into this next generation of leadership gave the whole day a sense of legacy in motion. The wines? They stunned us. Their vineyard sits on the valley floor, and by the textbook, that should mean big, jammy Cabs — but these wines are anything but. They’re delicate, ethereal, and buzzing with life.

 Day 2: Cold Open on the Napa Valley Wine Train

For Napa’s cold open — the only slightly stylized moment of each episode — we filmed aboard the historic Napa Valley Wine Train. I won’t give away the full story we’re telling in this scene, but suffice it to say: it involved gathering all the powerhouse women from the episode into one gorgeously restored train car. Think opulent painted ceilings, vintage brass fixtures, velvet drapes — like stepping inside the Orient Express. But instead of fictional characters, it was filled with real women making real change in Napa. As the train cruised through the valley, glasses clinked and conversations flowed. We talked about what it means to be a woman in wine today, where Napa has been, and where it's headed. It was joyful and just a little surreal — the kind of moment I've been daydreaming about for months and finally got to see unfold before my eyes.

Day 3: Sonoma Roundtable at Valley Bar & Bottle

For our Sonoma episode, we hosted a roundtable in the heart of Sonoma at the beloved Valley Bar & Bottle, with co-owners Emma (chef), Steph (chef), and Lauren (wine director) welcoming us into their space. We were joined by Coral Wang (winemaker, Maison des Plaisance), Saskia Tonge (biodynamic viticulturalist), and Katie Bundschu (of Gundlach Bundschu, the oldest continuously family-owned winery in California). The conversation was electric — spanning the juxtaposition of tradition and creativity, the realities of being a woman in the wine world, the magnetic pull that Sonoma seems to cast on people, and the growing pains the region faces today. It was a deeply honest, thoughtful, and often funny conversation that paints a much more nuanced portrait of Sonoma than most media ever gets right. I can’t wait to share it!

Day 4: Continuum Estate with Carissa Mondavi

We wrapped the week high above Napa at Continuum Estate on Pritchard Hill — 200 stunning acres of vines, gardens, and wild landscape that overlook the valley like a dream. We were there to film with Carissa Mondavi — yes, thatMondavi — and while the setting was jaw-droppingly beautiful, it was Carissa who completely stole our hearts. She’s kind, grounded, open, and effortlessly elegant. She made every member of our team feel at home, and her reverence for the land and her family’s legacy was palpable. Continuum is farmed regeneratively, with deep attention paid to every detail — and the wines reflect that care. What struck us most was how much heart Carissa brings to her role, and how beautifully she carries forward a legacy of stewardship, vision, and sustainability. She’s the real deal — and it shows.

Tomorrow, we head into five more full shoot days split between Napa and Sonoma, and I’ll share more with you next week. We’re still actively fundraising to complete production in Oregon and Washington — and every little bit truly helps. If you’ve already supported us, thank you so much. And if you haven’t yet, even helping spread the word or sending a few bucks toward lunch or coffee for the crew makes a big difference. We’re so grateful for all the love.

With love, gratitude, and slightly sunburned noses,
Cheers,
Kelsey