Hellooo and welcome to my little corner of the internet!
I’m Steph, your not-so-traditional sommelier, foodie, self-proclaimed master of dip, and creative behind this awesome community of wine lovers. I live in beautiful Calgary, Canada, with my sweet baby Josie, my Corgipoo Pippin, and my amazing husband Justin, who is my biggest supporter and number one taste-tester.
A not-so-traditional sommelier?
Yup! I have the same training as a traditional sommelier who you might picture working on a restaurant floor, but I do things a little differently. You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, and here on Substack, breaking down the barriers that make wine feel intimidating or exclusive, and helping people explore and enjoy wine through it’s connection to food. I create easy, indulgent recipes—think dips, grilled cheese, or your favourite comfort food—and I pair them with delicious, approachable wines that you can feel confident and excited to try. My recipes and pairings are designed to bring people together, whether it’s a casual girls’ night, a cozy date night, or a festive gathering with family and friends. And here’s the twist: I believe wine isn’t just for special occasions or fancy dinners—it’s for a last-minute Monday night grilled cheese, easy Friday night take out, or that family-sized bag of spicy dill pickle chips you’ve been eyeing.
I’m here to make wine approachable, exciting, and just straight up fun. All you need is an open mind and a love for good food and wine. So, whether you're looking to level up your snack game, impress your friends, or just sip something delicious after a long day, you’re in the right place!
How it all started
My love for food began in my childhood kitchen, dreaming of one day hosting my own cooking show and writing a cookbook. But life had other plans, and I became a registered dietitian—a career I’ve loved for the past 10 years. Food science fascinated me, but I never quite let go of that dream to make food a creative outlet. When I dove into the world of wine during a Covid-induced mid-life crisis, my life began to change. I became obsessed with learning about wine and all the beauty it has to offer, but what truly captured my heart was pairing food and wine. It brought together my lifelong passion for food and my new love for wine in the most delicious way.
I started posting my journey with wine on Instagram in 2021, but it all truly took off in the fall of 2023 when I launched my Wine & Dip series on Instagram. Pairing wine with easy, indulgent dip recipes became my signature, from creamy fried pickle dip with a crisp Pecorino to gooey queso paired with a bold Rioja, and I quickly realized I had found my path.
Fast-forward to today, I finally have my own unique version of the cooking show I’ve always wanted, and I have an wonderful community of food and wine lovers that I am so incredibly grateful for!
About Wine & Dip
I created Wine & Dip as a place to share my creations, gush about wine, and pass on some knowledge to help you level up your food and wine game. I post 1-2 new recipes every week, and send out a weekly summary email to all subscribers on Friday morning - right on time for the weekend!
As a free subscriber, you’ll receive my weekly summary emails with access to at least 2 recipes per month (with recommended wine pairings, of course). You’ll also have access to all my past free recipes, which you can find in my free recipe archives.
As a paid subscriber, you’ll receive my weekly summary emails with access to all recipes, PLUS access to my entire recipe archive, eBooks, wine guides, community chat, and more to come!
