RAQUEL ROYERS

01 RAQUEL ROYERS Thoughts of a Wine Lover

With over 400 wineries in the region, Napa Valley is the perfect location for a true wine lover to call home. It’s no wonder why Raquel Royers, whose Watch Me Sip blog and Instagram account has quite the following, lives and works in this winecentric area of California. Raquel is as passionate about wine as she is about sharing her knowledge with the rest of us more casual sippers, and social media provides her with the perfect avenue to connect with like-minded wine lovers. We learned more about all things wine through Raquel’s eyes and palate when she sat down with us to chat over a glass of red about doing what she loves.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your Blog/Instagram page.

I’m just a wine-obsessed gal living in the world famous Napa Valley! I started to Watch Me Sip out of my unwavering passion for all things wine. Wine is such a beautiful product that requires so much art and craft in the making of it. I like to share those stories, experiences and my favorite wine finds with everyone I can!

What is something you get asked all the time in regards to your page, and how do you respond?

Do I drink wine all day, every day? Haha - I constantly get this question. While I do imbibe often for the sake of my wine travels and research, I also have a full-time job and real life outside of wine. ;) While my job is working at a winery, contrary to popular belief, I’m not drinking wine at my desk all day. I do however drink more wine than the average person...all in the name of research so I can provide the best wine tips to my followers!

You mentioned your love for sharing stories and experiences about wine, what is one memorable story that you can share with us?

Oh gosh, that’s tough! I’ve been fortunate to have so many amazing wine experiences, and it’s hard to pick a favorite when they are all special and unique. However, there are a few things I especially love; when they take you out on the four-wheeler for a tour of the vineyards, thieving wine straight from the

barrel, tasting old vintages and a food and wine pairing!

Since you are quite the wine expert here, we have to ask: what is your favorite wine that is under $10 and over $20 and why?

Not to sound like a wine snob (oops) but I don’t often recommend wines that are under $10. Wine is an investment and if you want something of quality, it’s worth it to understand is how much dang work goes on in the back end in order to create that bottle of wine. It’s truly a work of art. Instead of picking a favorite producer, which would be really hard, I will suggest some great varietals and specific regions look for in the $20 range. You can often find a good Zinfandel from Lodi or Dry Creek in the price range, same with a Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. But truly,

spend a little extra. What some people don’t if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck -- look outside of the states -- Italian and Spanish wines tend to have higher quality for the price!

What was the most expensive bottle of wine you have ever had, how does it differ from

Raquel is wearing our “Day Drinkin'" Shirt in heather gray

a good, more affordable option, and do you think it was worth the price?

Oh gosh -- what a question! I have to say, I’ve had the opportunity to taste some very expensive and notable wines, including some “cult” wines that are highly sought after. I don’t even want to list the price because it’s crazy -- let’s just say you could buy every Thread Tank shirt you ever wanted! :) And no, I didn’t pay for them...sometimes in the wine industry, you’re just in the right place, at the right time!

Lastly, we love that you were able to relate your story to our designs. If you were to give a title to your life story, what would it be and why?

Well this one’s easy. “Watch Me Sip”, of course! It’s my mantra, it’s my motto, it’s my way of life. I hope you’ll tune into my story!

threadTALK Bonus: Where Are They Now?

What have you been up to since we last spoke back in January 2019, any exciting changes?

I have been a very busy gal! Since then I have visited so many new wine regions, doubled the size of my following (yay, new wine friends!) and started my own digital marketing agency, Creative Sip Marketing, where I help wineries grow in the online space. My blog and Instagram, Watch Me Sip, continue to be my biggest passion. I love helping people learn more about wine.

Any new wine favorites or discoveries that are a must-try?

Well, right now it's summertime, so I'm always looking for something that's refreshing that I can enjoy while at the lake, on my patio or hosting a bbq. I've really been digging a lot of whites from Alsace and Loire Valley (so crisp & lively!) and of course some Provencal Roses. Also, love me a great Russian River Pinot Noir, slightly chilled, for a red option during the summer. Cheers!