Nicole didn’t grow up in vineyards. In fact, she hadn’t even set foot in a winery until her first day as a harvest intern. But what she did have was a curiosity that spanned biology, art, culture, history, and agriculture—and a hunch that wine might be the perfect intersection of them all.
That hunch led her to Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley, where her winemaking journey began. Since then, she’s worked harvests in Marlborough, New Zealand; Casablanca, Chile, and the rugged Sierra de Gredos mountains outside Madrid. Along the way, she’s developed both her palate and a passion for cultural exchange—something that comes through in every Context tour she leads.
What Makes Context Tours So Special?
“For me, the best part of being a Context guide is the people,” Nicole says. “Our clients come from such fascinating backgrounds. Especially on food tours, I really get to know them—we’re trading stories, comparing cultures, and satisfying our curiosities over delicious food and wine.”
That exchange is exactly what drew Nicole to guiding in the first place. “It’s intimate, it’s dynamic, and it feels like a true conversation. As a guide, I'm not just teaching; I'm learning too.”
Reflecting on the Power of a Context Tour
One tour in particular stands out in Nicole’s memory. A couple in their seventies had booked a tapas tour through Madrid, retracing steps they had taken half a century earlier. Nicole brought them to La Venencia, a sherry bar with a no-frills interior that hasn’t changed since 1928 and famously counted Hemingway among its regulars.
“The moment they walked in, they had déjà vu. They realized they’d been here before, 50 years ago. It sparked this beautiful reflection on how Madrid has evolved, how they’ve changed, and what, in the end, remains timeless.”
Nicole's Drink of Choice
“A crisp glass of sparkling wine,” Nicole says with a smile.
It’s not hard to imagine her raising a glass at sunset, recounting the stories behind each vineyard she’s worked in and the hundreds of travelers she's connected with over the years.
Where Wine and Culture Meet
Today, Nicole lives in Madrid, where she completed a Master’s in Enology and Viticulture. She produces natural wines in the Sierra de Gredos region and writes about food and wine in ways that make the subject approachable, fun, and deeply rooted in place.
“Living in Madrid makes it easy,” she says. “You’re never far from a story, a dish, or a bottle that brings people together.”
Embark on Your Own Unique Wine or Tapas Tour with Context
Today, Nicole leads our Madrid Tapas Tour in the Huertas Neighborhood, where travelers experience the city’s culinary heritage through her expert lens. Whether it’s your first time in Spain or a return trip decades in the making, you’ll leave with a full belly and a deeper understanding of what makes this place so special.
