Our Friend of the Week - Jessica Pinzon

Your City: Napa, CAYour What: Guayakí Yerba Mate Tea. It’s high in caffeine and antioxidants, low in sugar and delicious. Enough said.

FRIEND OF THE WEEK: 11 QUESTIONSWEBSITE: MIMINASHIINSTAGRAM: @JESSICAPINZONFACEBOOK: @MIMINASHINAPA

1. Nickname: JP is most common; although I’ve heard “The Pinz” quite a bit, also!2. What’s your short story? While studying Political Science at UCSB years ago (and shortly after turning 21), I got a job working at a small cooperative winery in downtown Santa Barbara (now known as the Funk Zone). I’d worked with wine while serving tables, but this was my first time really seeing everything from the viticulture and production side through to sales in the tasting room. I fell in love with everything about it. I decided shortly thereafter to abandon my plans to attend law school to pursue wine studies–something that makes me [and pretty much everyone?] happy. A few years later, along with a degree in Business (emphasis in wine business), a sommelier was born! I love, love food (eating and serving), hospitality and running around–so being on a restaurant floor as a Sommelier was a natural fit. Fast forward a few years and I fell in love with an amazing, sweet and brilliantly talented chef! We were engaged in August in Kyoto and opened a Japanese-inspired izakaya (Miminashi) in downtown Napa in early May. It’s been an amazing year!3. What’s your jam? “Overflow” by Ghost Loft… Such a unique mix of musical genres and super addictive sound.4. What motivates you? I love making someone’s day. If I accomplish that, it makes my day.5. Who do you think you’d have great friend chemistry with? Samantha Bee. I love her smart, feisty and funny take on politics… I heard an interview with her recently and she was super down to earth and family oriented, too… I love it.6. What qualities do your favorite friends have in common? Intelligent, fun and easy going… they take life seriously but not too seriously.7. What’s the smartest, most inspiring, awesome thing you’ve read, watched, or listened to? A friend of a friend just launched a mobile app called Spotfund. It allows you to donate a few dollars at a time to a cause, human interest story or non-profit. I love that people are thinking of more ways to give back—in this case by making it super accessible at any time.8. What whets your appetite? Oh man. I could go on and on here… I am super excited about sake right now. I love the subtlety of it, the unique flavor profile and how there are so many details (location/water source, rice polishing %, tradition) that bring the final palate profile together. My favorite prefecture at the moment is Niigata. The sake is made with water that is snow melt from the adjacent mountain range, collected from streams outside the breweries. It tends to be very pure and focused—with a soft, clean mouth feel and gorgeous balance of fruit and umami. Super elegant. Did you know that an open bottle of sake stays good (standing up, refrigerated) for up to 2-3 weeks?9. What’s next on your To Do List? Plan our honeymoon (Paris and Seychelles)!10. How are you friends with Gina + Amy? I met Amy while living in Sonoma a few years ago. She’d come into Bouchon and I’d spoil her with great wine!11. Who would you nominate for our next Friend of the Week? Samatha Sheehan—proprietor/winemaker of Poe Wines. She’s an incredible friend and talent!