Freelance Writing Portfolio
Nicole MacKay knows her way around a vineyard — and a good story. With 20 years in the wine industry, she’s explored everything from marketing and imports to journalism. As managing editor of Wine Folly, she creates engaging and approachable educational content, but her curiosity doesn’t stop there.
Nicole’s freelance work uncorks vibrant narratives, from swirling Rhône reds in fierce Mistral winds to savoring Champagne in Pol Roger’s legendary caves. She’s interviewed industry icons, explored vineyards on horseback, and even caught a wave or two — all in pursuit of the perfect story. Whether it’s a deep dive into wine trends, a lively food pairing piece, or a behind-the-scenes look at global wine culture, Nicole knows how to bring a story to life, one sip at a time.
2025
TASTE (Spring 2025)
Climate Matters: Warm vs Cool Climate Wines
2024
TASTE (Winter 2024)
Sip Into The Future
TASTE (Winter 2024)
Celebrate with Fizz & Flair
GUILDSOMM (Nov 2024)
Exploring BC’s Geographical Indications: A Guide for Wine Pros
FULL POUR (Fall 2024)
Rethinking Hybrids in Canada
TASTE (Summer 2024)
Sunshine Sips
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (June 2024)
Quality Over Quantity in the Rugged Santa Cruz Mountains
VINEROUTES (June 2024)
Are Okanagan GSM Blends Safe(ish) From Climate Change?
DECANTER (June 2024)
Kelowna – Nine Top Spots for Food and Wine
TASTE (Spring 2024)
Sipping Consciously: A Global Tour Through Eco-Friendly Wines
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (May 2024)
Lirac AOC Is in Its ‘Fresh’ Era and Ready To Take on Climate Change
DECANTER (April 2024)
Canada’s Gamay Scene Plus 15 Top Bottles
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (April 2024)
How Paul Hobbs Became the Malbec Maestro
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (March 2024)
Family-Run Alileo Wines Brings Sicily State-Side (In A Sustainable Box)
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (March 2024)
Women-Led Champagne Houses to Celebrate this Int’l Women’s Day
DECANTER (January 2024)
Vancouver Island: A Wine Lover’s Guide
2023
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (November 2023)
Why Is Wine Important? A Simple 485-Word Answer
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (November 2023)
Domaine Nico: The High Altitude Argentine Pinot Noir Project (That’s Not In Patagonia)
TASTE (Fall 2023)
Back to Wine Basics
TASTE (Fall 2023)
Uncorking the Secrets to Great-Value Wine
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (August 2023)
32 Wineries That Embrace Exclusive Appellations
DECANTER (August 2023)
BC Wineries’ Response to the Growing Wildfire Threat
DECANTER (June 2023)
Canadian Rosé: Patriotically Pink for Canada Day
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (June 2023)
The Side Project That’s Bolstering Livermore Valley’s Wine Identity
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (June 2023)
How Miguel de Leon Is Reforming the Restaurant Wine List
TASTE (Summer 2023)
Blanco Tequilas for Summertime Margaritas
DECANTER (May 2023)
Calgary, Canada: Top Restaurants and Wine Bars
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (April 2023)
5 Must-Make Veggie Dishes from The Tucci Cookbook
2022
TASTE (Winter 2022)
Affordable Wines to Spread Holiday Cheer
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (November 2022)
Lafite-Rothschild Leans Into Biodiversity with Chile’s Viña Los Vascos
TASTE (Fall 2022)
Affordable Wines to Start a Collection
TASTE (Fall 2022)
Spicy Wines are Here for Fall
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (August 2022)
The Rockin’ Rhône Wines of The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
TASTE (Summer 2022)
BC Sunshine in a Bottle
VINEPAIR (May 2022)
We Asked 8 Wine Pros: What’s the Best American Cabernet From Beyond Napa?
VINEPAIR (May 2022)
We Asked 8 Sommeliers: What’s Your Go-To Bargain Chardonnay?
TASTE (Spring 2022)
Zingy Vino: Exploring High Acidity Wines from Around the Globe
2021
TASTE (Winter 2021)
BC Winter Whites
VINEPAIR (December 2021)
Crystal Hamilton Aims to Curb On-Premise Turnover With Knowbie Service Training App
WINE ENTHUSIAST (December 2021)
Wineries Want to Replicate Champagne’s Caves. Should They?
TASTE (Fall 2021)
All in the Family
TASTE (Fall 2021)
BC’s Regional Flagships
WESTCOAST FAMILIES (Aug/Sept 2021)
Shifting a Passion for Wine Into a Career
VINEPAIR (August 2021)
8 Things You Should Know About Barefoot Wines
TASTE (Summer 2021)
Social Stars: Drinks that Rocked the Internet!
SOMM TV MAGAZINE (July 2021)
Data Dive: Sideways and Its Impact on Merlot
VINEPAIR (July 2021)
9 Things You Should Know About Crafthouse Cocktails
VINEPAIR (July 2021)
9 Things You Should Know About Cutwater Spirits
VINEPAIR (July 2021)
9 Things You Should Know About Topo Chico
VINEPAIR (July 2021)
10 Things You Should Know About High Noon Hard Seltzer
VINEPAIR (July 2021)
We Asked Winemakers: What’s Your Drink After a Long Harvest Day?
VINEPAIR (June 2021)
We Asked Wine Pros: What Are the Worst Trends in Wine Right Now?
VINEPAIR (June 2021)
Despite Covid Losses, These 4 Wineries Are Still Giving Back
VINEPAIR (June 2021)
We Asked Wine Pros: What Are the Best Trends in Wine Right Now?
TASTE (Spring 2021)
Sonoma County: The Road to Sustainability
VINEPAIR (May 2021)
10 Things You Should Know About Casa Noble Tequila
VINEPAIR (May 2021)
8 Things You Should Know About Teremana Tequila
VINEPAIR (May 2021)
9 Things You Should Know About Tequila Fortaleza
WINE ENTHUSIAST (May 2021)
Winemaking Ethos Meet Eco-Friendly Design at these Wineries
WINE ENTHUSIAST (May 2021)
In a Sea of Credentials, Wine Professionals Seek Meaning
VINEPAIR (April 2021)
We Asked Winemakers: What’s Your Dream Region?
VINEPAIR (April 2021)
Who Is Leading British Columbia’s Organic Wine Movement?
VINEPAIR (February 2021)
Canadian Wine Is Better Than You Think
VINEPAIR (January 2021)
How Over-the-Top Grocery Store Beer Displays Are Built
VINEPAIR (January 2021)
Charting the Effects of the Judgment of Paris in Napa
VINEPAIR (January 2021)
The Countries That Drank the Most Spanish Wine in 2019
VINEPAIR (January 2021)
10 Things You Should Know About Martell Cognac
2020
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
The 7 Best Proseccos for Mimosas
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
The 8 Best Sparkling Wine Cocktails to Drink on New Year’s Eve
TASTE (Holiday 2020)
Gift With Confidence
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
The Countries that Drank the Most Italian Wine in 2019
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
The Countries That Drank the Most French Wine in 2019
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
Prosecco vs. Champagne: The Differences
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
Our 7 Most Popular Champagne Cocktail Recipes
VINEPAIR (December 2020)
Six of the Best Mimosa Recipe Upgrades
SAVOUR CALGARY (Fall 2020)
Raising Foodies
TASTE (Summer 2020)
Toast to BC with Bubbles
TASTE (Summer 2020)
Takeout & Wine: Winning Pairings for an Evening In
NUVO (April 2020)
Ethical Wines for Earth Day
CULINAIRE (April 2020)
Pizza Pairing Perfection
AVENUE CALGARY (March 2020)
Allora Everyday Italian – Calgary’s Best New Restaurants 2020
2019
TASTE (Winter 2019)
Top Tier Cabs under $25
WESTCOAST FAMILIES (July/Aug 2019)
Balancing Motherhood With A Career in Wine
2018
THE ALCHEMIST (December 2018)
Elevate your holiday cocktails with Blackpool Spiced Rum
VITIS (December 2018)
A Taste of Place through Zuccardi Wines
