Real Talk: Health, Wellness, and Alcohol Intersectionality at The Sip & Sabor Festival
"There shouldn’t be fear around not drinking as a wine professional."
With this bold statement, Gabriela Fernandez, emcee and co-organizer of the Sip & Sabor Festival, set the tone for a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “REAL TALK: Navigating Health, Wellness, and Alcohol Intersectionality.” Panelists Abe Zarate, Irma Robinson, and Natalia Faustino joined the stage to explore a topic that’s helping re-shape the wine and hospitality landscape.
This year, we proudly supported the inaugural Hispanics in Wine Sip & Sabor Festival, a two-day celebration of wine, spirits, culture, and community, led by co-founders Maria Calvert and Lydia Richards, together with Fernandez. The festival’s commitment to inclusivity was evident, particularly in its focus on how alcohol, mindfulness, and hospitality intersect in our evolving industry.
Championing Inclusivity and Mindful Drinking
Inclusivity and mindful drinking have become essential pillars for a thriving and sustainable wine community. Conversations like these push the boundaries of what hospitality means, demonstrating how thoughtful approaches can create environments where everyone feels seen and valued.
Language Matters: Rethinking Sobriety
Abe Zarate, known as @sobersomm and Beverage Director at Contento in New York, emphasized the power of language in approaching sobriety.
“I don’t see sobriety as anti-alcohol. It’s about taking the term ‘inclusivity’ and truly figuring out what it means across every sector.”
Zarate shared his approach to introducing non-alcoholic (NA) options, focusing on guest experiences rather than overwhelming them with technical jargon. As an example, he uses terms like “to fool you” for products mimicking traditional wine styles and “good beverages” for those standing on their own merit.
“I don’t like to communicate that anything was ‘taken’ from a beverage.
Non-Alcohol Offerings in Napa: A Personal Journey
For Irma Robinson, owner of Southside Café in Napa, the journey to offering NA options was personal.
“There are plenty of places to get a glass of wine or a cocktail in Napa Valley, but not many where someone like me could enjoy the ritual of drinking differently. I don’t need the alcohol—I just want the occasion.”
Robinson’s team applies the same care to crafting NA cocktails as they do alcoholic ones, sourcing quality ingredients and collaborating with thoughtful vendors. Taste, she says, remains the ultimate priority.
Closing the Gap: Natalia Faustino’s Commitment to Hospitality
At Little Saint in Healdsburg, one in five drinks on the cocktail program is non-alcoholic, a testament to Beverage Director Natalia Faustino’s and her leadership's belief in creating exceptional experiences for all guests. Using ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s farm, her team crafts drinks that reflect the same care and creativity as their alcoholic counterparts.
Hospitality is About Inclusion
Faustino highlighted a moment when her mother, a non drinker, visited Napa Valley and did not have an NA offering at any winery tasting room they visited:
“The absence of non-alcoholic options at wineries underscored a missed opportunity. It’s time for wineries to embrace this evolution and ensure everyone feels welcome.”
Robinson added that even simple offerings, like sparkling water or a two ingredient drink served in elegant glassware with a garnish, can make non-drinkers feel included. ““Be open to everyone’s needs—that’s our job in hospitality.”
The panel’s message was clear: offering NA options isn’t just about trends—it’s about creating a sense of belonging. From tasting rooms to cafes and fine dining restaurants, thoughtful inclusion elevates hospitality.
As Zarate pointed out: “On the business side, think about the ‘long dollar.’"
Looking Ahead
As community supporters of this grassroots Festival, we are thrilled to see important topics like this continue to permeate the wine community, and hope this Festival contiune to grow in leaps and bounds.
Until next year, ¡Salud!
Beck
