Ever dreamed of sipping world-class Cabernet right where it’s made — or wondered why Napa Valley is on every wine lover’s bucket list?

In this episode of Wine Tripping, we’re heading straight to the heart of California wine country - and the town Amanda calls home - for an insider’s guide to Napa’s legendary vineyards, unforgettable flavors, and the secrets that make this region so magical.

You’ll discover why Amanda thinks of Napa as “Disneyland for adults,” learn the story behind its rise to global fame (spoiler: it involves a showdown in Paris and some very shocked wine experts), and get Amanda’s best tips for planning the perfect trip. Think must-visit wineries, the best ways to get around, and why it’s totally okay (and even encouraged!) to spit at a tasting.

We’ll break down what makes Napa’s wines so special, from its rare Mediterranean climate to the art of blending and barrel aging, plus share local secrets for dining, exploring, and making the most of every glass.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or sip there every season, this episode will help you taste smarter, travel better, and fall in love with Napa Valley — one unforgettable pour at a time.

---

For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

---

Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wondered if there’s actual fruit in your wine? (Spoiler: there isn’t—but the story behind those “cherry” and “lemon” notes is fascinating!) In this episode of Wine Tripping, we’re swirling, sniffing, and sipping our way through the art and science of tasting wine. You’ll learn why wine pros use fruity metaphors, how to actually train your nose and palate, and the real impact of glassware and temperature on your next pour.

We’ll break down the flavor families for both red and white wines, demystify those earthy and “funky” notes, explain why it’s OK to spit at your next wine tasting (it really is, we promise), and share practical tips for storing your bottles like a pro (hint: think mushrooms)..

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned sipper, this episode will help you taste smarter, store better, and—most importantly—enjoy get every last drop of enjoyment from your next glass.

---

For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

---

Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wondered what really happens between the vineyard and all the swirling, sniffing, and sipping when the wine reaches your glass? On this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda pulls back the curtain on the secrets of winemaking, stripping away the mystique and showing you just how much magic (and muscle) goes into every bottle.

Amanda takes you from her first grape-stomping shock in Napa to the heart of the winery, where tradition meets innovation and every decision—harvest, fermentation, aging—shapes the wine in your glass. You’ll learn about hand vs machine harvesting, why no two bottles are ever quite the same, how a winemaker’s playlist or a midnight harvest can change everything, and why asking “basic” questions at a winery is actually the smartest move.

Whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned sipper, Amanda will have you seeing, tasting, and appreciating wine in a whole new way. So pour yourself a glass, press play, and get ready to dive deep into the world of winemaking—one sip at a time.

---

For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

---

Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wondered why a Chardonnay from California tastes like baked apples, while one from Burgundy is all tart and zipy? In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda uncorks the magic of terroir—the mysterious “sense of place” that makes every bottle unique.

Join Amanda as she shares sun-soaked stories from the south of France, explains why even tomatoes taste better at that one particular stand at Jersey Shore, and reveals how dirt, wind, and weather leave their mark on your glass. You’ll learn to spot the difference between warm and cool climate wines, decode those cryptic wine labels, and discover why winemakers obsess over soil (and sometimes, even the energy of a place).

Get ready to become a detective with your senses—Amanda’s got practical tips for noticing the smells, sights, and feels that shape every sip. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned sipper, this episode will help you taste the world in every glass.

So pour yourself something delicious and let’s explore the world of wine, one terroir at a time. Cheers!

---

For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

---

Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever look at a wine list, feel totally intimidated, and in the end just order the one whose name you think you know how to pronounce? Yeah. Us too.

The world of wine can feel daunting - terms like terroir, robe, legs, and steely mouthfeel can seem like some impenetrable secret language. But Amanda McCrossin - certified sommelier, Napa Valley insider, and all-around wine nerd - is here to change that. This podcast, Wine Tripping, is Amanda’s guide to becoming a more confident wine lover - without the snobbery.

This episode uncorks the basics: what wine really is, why grape variety and terroir matter, and how to start exploring new bottles with curiosity (not intimidation). You’ll get tips for tasting, learn how to read a label like a pro, find out why no two bottles are ever quite the same, and why wine is the ultimate passport to culture, history and adventure. Plus, the story of Amanda’s own journey from rural Pennsylvania dreamer to world-traveling wine pro.

Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to level up your wine game, Amanda’s got you covered—with plenty of laughs and zero pretension. So pour yourself a glass, press play, and get ready to fall in love with wine (and the world) all over again!

---

For more, check out Amanda on…

Instagram - @sommvivant

TikTok - @somm_vivant

and on the web - sommvivant.me

---

Wine Tripping is Written, Hosted, and Produced by Amanda McCrossin, and Produced by Neil Innes.

Editing and Sound Design by Neil Innes with additional help from Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wonder how dirt, weather, and a single grape can change everything in your glass? Wine has shaped civilization for thousands of years, and sommelier Amanda McCrossin is your guide to exploring it all.

From Napa to Tuscany, Argentina to Portugal’s breathtaking Douro Valley and beyond, Amanda is your guide on a globe-trotting adventure to uncork the secrets of Wine and help you begin - or level up - your own wine Journey.

She’ll share insider tips on tastings, the right questions to ask at wineries, and how to discover your own wine style—no passport required. Think of it as your personal invitation to become a modern-day Renaissance person, knowledgeable, cultured, and ready to sip something fabulous wherever your travels take you.

Plus, she’s got the inside track on the best way to wine trip through some of the best places for it - Argentina, Oregon, Washington, Bordeaux, Champagne, Amanda has you covered.

So Join Amanda McCrossin—sommelier, wine nerd, and your new favorite travel buddy—for Wine Tripping, launching May 28th, only from Cerca.

Cheers and happy travels!

---

Amanda McCrossin is a certified sommelier, wine personality, and TikTok/Instagram/YouTube creator. She is known as one of the most influential creators in the wine community creating wine-focused, relatable content to help consumers via her @sommvivant channels. She has been featured by Food & Wine Magazine, Decanter, Food Network, San Francisco Chronicle, on the cover of SOMM Journal and Wine Enthusiast who named her a Wine Star nominee for 'Sommelier of the Year.'

---

At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Visit www.cercatravel.com for Immersive audio travel guides to some of the most amazing places in the world - written and voiced by locals - articles on everything from the best places to eat in Havana to a guide to all of Helsinki's underground bunkers, and the best travel podcasts you can find... like this one!

Want more? Download the Cerca App for free now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.