Explore the convergence of storytelling and the art of wine with journalist, wine enthusiast, and Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ Premium Wine & Spirits Brands Board Advisor, Monique Soltani. Monique’s career seamlessly blends broadcast journalism with wine reporting, offering a unique perspective on lifestyle and libation.

As an award-winning journalist, Monique highlights her commitment to celebrating excellence in the world of wine. Join us for an exploration of Monique’s experiences, from the inception of Wine Oh! TV to her role as a tastemaker shaping the narrative of luxury wines.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: Can you share a bit about your journey in journalism and how you ventured into the world of wine reporting?

Monique Soltani: I started my career as a broadcast journalist where I got my first job as a TV news anchor and reporter at the NBC affiliate in Pocatello, Idaho. I first learned about wine while I was working in New York in my 20s, and I quickly came to realize in New York City if I could talk about wine, I could have a credible seat at the table. Wine was my throughline to accessing an entirely new world, so I dug in and drank up all the wine knowledge I could find. It was there where my idea for Wine Oh! was born (if only in my mind at the time).

In 2008, I was working for the NBC affiliate in California’s Central Valley. We launched a brand new talk show called Central Valley Today and we had six live segments a day to fill. I started my Wine Oh! segment there as one weekly segment in the hour-long show. I eventually pitched my station on the half-hour version of the show to air once a week on Saturdays. I ended up accepting a job at KPIX in San Francisco and the half-hour version of Wine Oh! was off the table for the time being. I created the television show version of Wine Oh! TV in 2012.

From 2013 – 2018, I formed and executed distribution deals for Wine Oh! TV with Comcast/NBCUniversal, Xumo, TV4, streaming on Hulu, Roku, Amazon Prime Video + International distribution. In that same period, I covered Weather + Wine on The Weather Channel and created two humans at the same time (literally). In June 2023, Wine Oh! TV debuted on broadcast television on CBS Bay Area.

LLA: As an award-winning journalist, what role do you see for storytelling in the realm of wine?

MS: For me, wine and storytelling are one, wine is about people, it’s about community, it’s about coming together.

LLA: With your extensive experience, how do you think the wine industry has evolved over the years, especially in terms of media representation?

MS: When I first started covering wine on television people were hesitant to speak on camera about their wine. At that time, I was the only person showing up with a camera and asking them to talk about it so we were trailblazers in a way. Now, everyone shows up with an iPhone and people are being recorded all the time, and in the post-Zoom wine tasting world everyone in the wine world is very used to speaking about the wine on camera. 

LLA: Beyond your professional life, how do you personally approach choosing a bottle of wine for dinner? Any tips for those who may feel overwhelmed in a wine store?

MS: I always look for quality for value when it comes to picking out a bottle of wine. With that in mind, keep an eye out for lesser-known wine regions.

My advice is always to ask for help. Think of the people who work in the wine store as your best friends when it comes to picking a bottle of wine so ask them!

LLA: What’s one memorable story or experience you’ve had while reporting on wine that has stayed with you?

MS: When someone asks me what’s your favorite bottle of wine I always answer it came from the last person I interviewed.

I fall in love with every person I interview on my show Wine Oh! TV, so every experience is memorable. Everyone’s story is unique and I’m so grateful for anyone who takes the time to share theirs with me.

LLA: Among the many wine regions globally, do you have a personal favorite, and what makes it stand out for you in terms of grape varieties, terroir, or winemaking practices?

MS: Boy, I’m sure in love with Champagne. If these French bubbles could talk they would tell you what we have experienced together. My glittery BFF, how her effervescence escorted me through all of the ups and downs life has to offer: engagements, weddings, birthdays, creating life, coping with death. Hope, grief, happiness, loneliness, sickness, sadness, success, solitude, all served with a side of Champagne.

I associate Champagne with joy, jubilation, and pure delight. When life delivers us a low-light reel, Champagne serves up the highlights. The best moments were cherished with a bottle of bubbly by my side. A Girlfriend in a glass, a coupe of comfort, a flute filled with a fantasy of a life that flew by in a flash.

On my darkest days, in my loneliest hours, in my weakest state, I somehow managed to muster up the will to keep going. Knowing at the end of each day, I will be rewarded with a glass, a flute, or a coupe, (but never a plastic cup) of the world’s most famous and my absolute favorite sparkling wine.

LLA: With your background in American Studies, do you see any cultural shifts influencing the consumption and appreciation of premium wines and spirits, and how can brands align with these changes?

MS: I think Americans are looking for quality for value. I think if you make a bottle of wine that best reflects your region and your wine style Americans will appreciate it.

“If You Build It, They Will Come” – Field of Dreams

LLA: Being appointed to the advisory board for Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the Premium Wine & Spirits Brands category, what motivated you to take on this role, and what do you hope to contribute to the recognition of excellence in this industry?

MS: It’s an honor for me to be asked to be a part of this inspiring and dynamic advisory board. Wine is about people, it’s about connecting, it’s about how we come together. I believe traveling to different places and meeting different people, connects us through culture, and brings people together.

LLA: As someone deeply involved in both journalism and the wine industry, what do you believe is the most misunderstood aspect of the premium wine and spirits sector that deserves more attention and clarification?

MS: I think making an incredible bottle of wine can be costly, think of real estate, paying a living wage, what role weather plays in wine, and how much wineries are able to produce each year depending on what mother nature delivers, all goes into the pricing of a bottle of wine.

LLA: In your multifaceted career, from broadcast journalism to wine reporting, how do you balance the pursuit of new, exciting stories while still honoring the timeless essence of the wine industry’s traditions and heritage?

MS: I don’t chase trends, I honor the industry by sharing their authentic stories. Wine is time in a bottle, and I celebrate the history, tradition, and heritage, of every region.

LLA: Lastly, if you were to pair a wine with a movie or a TV show, what would be your ultimate “sip and watch” combination? Can you share a specific wine and entertainment pairing that, for you, creates the perfect sensory experience?

MS: Well, this is a layup. I would pair any bottle of wine with my show Wine Oh! TV, of course, is the ultimate “sip and watch” combination.

Wine Oh! TV is a fun and informative wine travel show that gets to the heart of every wine region. We are all on a journey and I hope you will join me on mine, bringing people together by breaking bread, opening up a bottle, and connecting through culture.

Thank you, Monique! As we raise our glasses to the delightful conversation, it becomes evident that the world of wine is not just about taste but about the stories it weaves. Cheers to Monique Soltani, a storyteller who uncorks the essence of life in every glass.