New to wine or just tired of feeling intimidated by tasting rooms? This one’s for you. I’m joined by Ron Higgs, Navy veteran, systems engineer, craft-beer lover turned wine volunteer, who went from “I can’t drink wine without making a face” to seven years pouring in a boutique Woodinville winery. We trace his journey from Monterey (where both of our palates woke up) to Santa Rosa/Healdsburg weekends and Washington wine country, and we share exactly how to start exploring wine without the fuss. In this episode:

• How a non-wine drinker became a tasting-room regular—and then a volunteer
• Monterey memories: the first “aha” sip and why starting light works
• Sonoma & Santa Rosa highlights: seeking small, boutique producers over big names
• Woodinville 101: what makes Washington’s tasting rooms special
• “Co-opetition” in wine: how small wineries share gear, knowledge, and customers
• A practical script for walking into your first tasting room with confidence
• Why travel changes your palate—and how to use that to find wines you love

Connect with me: Questions, ideas, or a favorite pairing to share? Email me at [email protected] or find all my links at thewineguy.vin. If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow Pour and Explore, rate the show, and share it with a friend who loves to cook and travel.