Wine Face

It's not goodbye... it's more like a case of see you later! With great thought and some sadness, I have decided to suspend the production of Wine Face. I do believe in my heart that it will come back in another form in the future. It has given me so much joy to talk to amazing people and educate people about wine. It's a special world and I am grateful to have existed in it. Talk to everyone soon :)Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When I was in Austin, Texas for Dear Media IRL — my friend Pia Baroncini took me to an incredible restaurant and I was just blown away by the space, the service model, and the wonderful co-owners, Arjav Ezekiel and his wife Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel. So when I got the call Arjav was in LA, I had to get him on the podcast to talk about his vision for Birdie's, his hospitality philosophy, and his approach to curating a wine list. Everyone please check out their Austin spot when you visit Texas — you will not regret it!Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gorgeous Mediterranean coastline of Liguria, Italy isn't just one of the most special places on the planet. It's one of the most intricate wine regions in the galaxy. The grapes are hand-picked, the approach is natural, and the terroir is... daunting to say the least. Let's talk about my dream trip to the region and which winemakers I want to meet when I visit.Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I am thrilled to sit down with the head winemaker for the iconic Abruzzo winery — Emidio Pepe. Chiara Pepe is following in her iconic grandfather's footsteps in innovative farming and OG naturalistic wine making techniques. every time we stock Emidio Pepe in Helen's Wines, we sell out. That's how incredible their biodynamic, hand-harvested, and perfectly aged wine really is!!! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're digging back through the Wine Face episode cellar to revisit a few of my favorites — like this one:It's time to get to know France one step at a time- starting now! A twenty-minute crash course into the primary wine-making regions in France that you need to know and loads of juicy tidbits about each place. Get jiggy with it & BONJOUR!!Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every person should know what Loom in Los Angeles is because it's genius and should know Erica Chidi Cohen who is the co-founder and CEO. It's about women's health but there is information for everyone. I invited Erica to come talk about Wine & Women & Wine & Sex & Wine & Your Partner. It's lit. We talk all about Bear skin rug wines. I brought three wines to discuss but sadly one was corked! Shit happens!!! We discuss Bordeaux & Some funky little love pinot. Wines to chug versus wines to sip! Wines we discussed:2017 Vincent et Marie Tricot, Les 3 Bonhommes, Vin de France, Auvergne, Pinot Noir2011 Chateau Massereau, Graves, Barsac, Cab Franc/Cab Sauv/Merlot/Petit VerdotSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're digging back through the Wine Face episode cellar to revisit a few of my favorites — like this one:Wines from the Jura in France are unique and absolutely their own. The style and traditions, grape varietals, flavors, and energy in the bottle are amazing. I was lucky to go a few months ago and here is a little 411 intro takeaway for your mind's eye!Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're digging back through the Wine Face episode cellar to revisit a few of my favorites — like this one:Jon Gray from Ghetto Gastro came by the studio to talk about his Bronx-based food collective Ghetto Gastro which is taking the world by storm. We tasted through some fall entertaining wines, talked about growing up in New York, swapped ideas & explored his extensive travel notes. Bronx to the world, the world to the Bronx!Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ryan Bailey is a real deal somm. He's a Boss Somm. He's a business, man. But also: a businessman. From the living in the Bay Area, to doing wine tastings in Sonoma with a fake ID, opening some serious restaurants in New York with real wine chops, to being head somm of the Nomad, sorry mic drop! He is now partnered in the Michellin-starred restaurant Kato here in Los Angeles where reservations book up weeks in advance.Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is it just me or is everyone in Sicily this summer? Well, whether you are there or not — you can drink like you are. Let's talk about Sicily's growing regions, flavor profiles, and my favorite recommendations.Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.

When a Topanga Canyon shaman told Rocky Xu to stop drinking coffee during the pandemic, who knew it would have been the catalyst for a whole new life purpose? Since then Rocky Xu has been developing and perfecting his new matcha brand, Rocky's Matcha. And the overlap between wine terroir and matcha terroir is fascinating! So today, we're tasting outrageous matcha and diving deep into exactly how to taste, grow, and understand matcha.Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen.Produced by Dear Media.

Loria Stern is here to help us all start our flower-eating journey. I have known Loria for years and have watched her take foraging and edible flower cookies to an insane level. Her amazing edible flower food business is the first of its kind. And you can order from her website, pick up her cookbook, and even catch her on Shark Tank getting a deal! But today's wine and flower tasting is just divine. It was so fun we are going to do one in real life!! Featured Wine: 2022 Emme Wines, Enhorabuena, Redwood Valley, California, Carignan Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Crafting the perfect wine list is a creative endeavor that I don't always look forward to but damn, does it feel good when it's done. Let's talk about deciding what to put on the list, how to design it, and the philosophy of ‘less is more'. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

When I was visiting Austin, Texas a few weeks ago, the greatest meal I had was at Nixta Taqueria. So I had to get Nixta's co-owner & operator Sara on the show to talk about the James Beard Award-winning restaurant's minimalist approach to wine lists, her Persian background, the magical Oaxacan corn & farmers they support, and how she and her husband are serving some of Austin's greatest non-traditional tacos.  Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

We are geeking out on a perfect summer wine but really, it's great all four seasons. But because rosé is so popular, sometimes it gets overlooked when we're talking about exceptional winemaking. I'm here to break down just how the pressing process works, what your rosé's tint means, and all the ways a great bottle can blow your mind.  Check out our rosé selection over at Helen's Wines. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Geologist Brenna Quigley and I are talking terroir. This is a super deep dive into the science of winemaking and how we have rocks, soil, and Mother Earth to thank for the dynamic textures and flavors of wine. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

I am super into Alpine wines these days, dare I say a hot trend this summer? I sure hope so! Alpine refers to the elevation these wines are grown at — making them fresh, and bright, and those reds are light, light, light. And that's what I want in the warmer weather. So, let's break down the countries growing this insane high-elevation wine and how to best enjoy a bottle. Helen's Alpine recommendations: Look for wines from the Savoie, Switzerland, or Alto Adige! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Juliana might be the coolest person I know. Is she LA's IT Girl? I think so. She's a creative director. But beyond that she is style, she is grace, she is taste and she is STANDARDS! She's had her hands in so many major brands and trends that we can't even know about it because she's humble like that. She's insanely smart, talented, well-read, and has a lust for life that is inspiring. Featured Wine: I brought Kolfok! But sadly, the Merlot from Croatia Juliana brought is currently sold out. Check back soon! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

We're being wine-trend psychics today. Maybe setting some new trends right here in this very podcast. What's hot? What's not? And what pairs best with your spring vegetables? Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Top Chef and Food Network's ‘Tournament of Champions' alum and mastermind behind LA's Playa Provisions, Brooke Williamson is in the studio! We're talking about the many avenues her career has traveled down and how she's now making wine. She really does it all, y'all! Featured wine: Jolie-Laide, Rancho Coda, California, Gamay, 2022 Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Today, we are being wine psychics and predicting the new drink of summer. And I'm being bold and saying it's this beautiful, orangey-copper Italian wine, Ramato. Now, Ramato is not the varietal, but instead, the method of winemaking used on Pinot Grigio grapes only. It's crushable, Instagrammable, and ready for its moment!   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

When Justin Pichetrungsi took over his father's Sherman Oaks Thai restaurant — the family's casual approach to service and ambiance became a breeding ground for Justin's creativity to push Thai food into new realms. And in 2022, Anajak Thai was named Best Restaurant by the Los Angeles Times and Justin made Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chef's list. But this is still only the beginning. Let's talk Thai food and wine pairings, growing up as a restaurant kid, and all the many careers Justin has had before his restaurant success. Featured Wine: Frantz Saumon, Un Saumon dans la loire, Le Chapitre Montlouis, Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc, 2019 Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

I don't talk a lot about my personal life in my work but today, we are diving deep into building my career and how it harmonizes with my life as a mother. Let's talk hospitality, marriage, divorce, parenting, and what it has meant to me to do it all. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

How did designer Jon Buscemi go from sneakers to sandwiches, to delicious wine collabs? Jon is a mental mentor for me and a dear friend. So when he collaborated with the iconic California Winemaker Chad Melville — I knew it was going to be great.  Check out Helen's Wines' current red-burgundy offerings here. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Orange wine is one of the latest wine trends — and with good reason! This skin-contact white wine is full of texture, flavor, and history. Let's break down how it's made, what the color means, and which varietals make the best orange wine. Oh, and word to the wise, let's stop calling orange wine ‘funky.' Head to helenswines.com to check out which orange wines we're recommending. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Let's deep dive into a red wine grape that pairs perfectly with lamb, green olives, and gorgonzola — treat yourself to a crazy meal with all those things and a bottle of my favorite Cab Franc. We're going to break this vegetal varietal down to its origins and which regions make this wine really sing.  Recommended Cab Francs: Arnaud Lambert, Roland Guiberteau, Mosse & Olga Raffualt. Visit Helenswines.com to see what we have in stock! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen Produced by Dear Media

Most people know Eric Wareheim from his hilarious work on 'Tim & Eric; and Netflix's 'Master of None'. But Eric has fallen fully in love with wine and it is infectious!! He also makes his own wine, at Las Jaras, where along with his winemaking partner Joel they are pushing the envelope on how to keep his wine natural and innovative. I mean, sparkling Carignan? That's amazing! And it is delicious — we taste some of it! Also, Eric speaks German? TUNE IN!   Featured Wine:  Alice et Olivier De Moor, Chitry, Bourgogne, Chardonnay   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media

Tasting wine is very subjective because not all palettes are created equal. Some people might catch every single flavor note and nuance in a bottle and some might just be able to know if it's white or red — and that's fine too. There's no wrong way to taste wine but let's go over some of the fundamentals of what to look for and how to look for them so next time you order a bottle at dinner, you can tell your somm exactly what you think!   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Lauren 'LP' Paylor O'Brien's first night behind the bar was a Friday night and everyone in the hospitality world knows — that's sink or swim. FLASH FORWARD to 2022, LP is swimming her way to winning the Netflix competition show, “Drink Masters”. But her resume doesn't end there and honestly, it's too long and impressive to fully list here. But it was beyond a pleasure to chat with LP to talk about her parents' reaction to her leaving nursing for the hospitality industry, becoming a shareowner in the first B-Corp certified spirits-based canned cocktail company, Siponey Spritz Co, and building the perfect bar cart. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Visiting a vineyard can be so much more than dropping into the tasting room for a wine flight & getting crunk. There is etiquette and a good vibe energy that you should bring to take it to the next level. There are cellars, grounds, and caves to explore — with the right winemaker. Some winemakers will open up their labs to wine enthusiasts for the ultimate walkthrough but there are a few things you need to know before you go. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

There is no Helen's Wines without Jon & Vinny's and vice versa! My business partners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo join me to talk about the earliest days of their cooking careers, how we all met, and what they cook for their families at home. The trifecta is real: Jon, Vinny, and Helen unite! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Chocolate GURU Valerie Gordon of Valerie Confections stopped by with some very special treats. Valentine's Day is next week and you deserve it all! All the love, but especially some killer chocolates & wine. We taste through a very romantic box of chocolates, get the 411 on liquid caramel, make some wine & chocolate pairing magic, & taste a new chocolate she made with crispy rice that is so insanely good! Oh, and I come out about my love of milk chocolate...did I mention that she makes our Jon & Vinny's/Helen's chocolate bars? Get ready to indulge!! More about Valerie Confections: https://valerieconfections.com   Featured wines: 2019 Camille Giroud, Les Chaillots, Ladoix, Pinot Noir 2021 Lise et Bertrand Jousset, Rose a Lies, Vin de France, Touraine, Gamay/Grolleau Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Such an inspiring Tour de Force of a woman!! We laughed, Pia cried, and we tasted fabulous wines. The boss of so much dopeness, Pia Baroncini, stopped by to fill me in on all things Sicilian olive oil, the perfect cooking dress, and all the ways her husband Davide and her want to bring more authentic Italian culture to Los Angeles. I also share my advice when it comes to pulling the perfect shot of espresso. She is heaven!!   Featured Wines: Salvo Foti, I Vigneri, Vinupetra, Etna, Sicilia, Nerello Mascalese/Nerello Cappuccio, 2018 Agrapart & Fils, 7 Crus, Avize, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Step into my somm brain!! When you grab a wine bottle, one of the signs of its character is its vintage, A.K.A. the year the grapes were harvested. Let's dive into how weather can change the taste of a wine, what it means when there's no year on a bottle, and why you should not be aging your rosé!  Recommended wines: Kewin Descombes, Beaujolais Cuvée Kéké   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Is there anything Westside Winos co-founder Khalil Kinsey can't do? With the opening of his new Los Angeles wine bar Offhand Wines, he and I look back on his roots in the skateboarding and fashion world and how his family's massive role in the art world informed his career, taste in wine, and commitment to community.  Featured Wine: Dominique Derain, Las Nubes is SOLD OUT on Helen's Wines but follow Dominique on Instagram to see what he drops next!   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Is it important to drink specific wines out of certain glasses? Are champagne flutes a myth? When did humans start drinking out of glass? Are there really rules? All of these mysteries and more will be revealed! A nice bottle of wine does deserve a nice glass... but not all glasses are created equal, cost the same, or feel the same. Let's look back at the OG days of wine glasses — I'm talking metal goblets and the earliest days of glass blowing. But then, we'll zoom forward and discuss the latest wine-drinking vessel trends from the casual table glass to the super swanky. Wine glass recommendations: The crème de la crème is the Zalto wine glass brand — this is what I like to drink out of at home but they are extremely thin and breakable so… maybe don't get attached! Other brands I love: Gabriel-Glas Vintage sets!! I look for mine at thrift stores and use them for parties because if they break it's all good! I love the glasses we use at Jon & Vinny's! You can purchase a set of 6 through our website! Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Not only is Tinx dubbed “Tiktok's big sister,” she's also dubbed “extremely lovely podcast guest” by me! It was honestly such a joy to talk with Tinx, she is incredibly smart, sensitive and aware-- all of which is super refreshing! I love when women know how they are and what they want! We talk all about the joys of casual dinner parties, the best martinis in the world, and why Tinx always keeps a steak in her freezer.    Here are the champagnes I told Tinx to keep in her fridge: Ruppert-Leroy, Papillon, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Nature, Pinot Noir, 2019 Michel Gonet, Les 3 Terroirs, Extra Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay, 2017   Featured Wines: Benjamin Leroux, Bourgogne, Pinot Noir, 2020 2021 Lorenza Picpoul Blanc   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Champs for my real friends, baby! I am obsessed with Champagne. My whole team is! It's so good and worth the splurge, and so I am here to tell you on this episode that it's a New year, and maybe a new you, but there are still the same old delicious bottles of bubbly! Champagne is a part of the cultural zeitgeist but it hasn't always been that way. So how did we go from friars transporting bottles of wine on horse-drawn carts to shaking up thousand-dollar bottles of champagne in nightclubs? Let's talk about it before New Year's Eve so when you head to the store to grab your sparkling wine, you know exactly what to get!  Grower-producer champagne recommendations:  Grower-producer champagne refers to a person growing the grapes and then making the champagne from those grapes, a practice that used to be very uncommon in the region. Here are some of my favorite producers, some are linked to wines we carry! Any wines from these producers you can find will be amazing: George Laval Laherte Freres Savart Calzals    Visit Helen's Wines for more information.   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Every December my wine shop is poppin! And for good reason-- Holiday times are flush with gift giving, champagne celebrations and cozy moments drinking fabulous wine with people you love. I celebrate Christmas, so I wanted to talk about the history of wine during holiday times, the best varietals to please your in-laws, bottles to pair with tamales, and an updated take on an old Christmas-time classic: mulled wine. Head to the blog at Helen's Wines for this week's Cocktail Corner recipe: The Lighter Side of Mulled Wine. Wines that I am loving that I mentioned: Châteauneuf-du-Pape – My absolute favorite producer is Raya, but it's sold out. I love Chateau du Boursan as well, the balance of the fruit is magical. This Papi is so good and we have it at the shop right now! Chateau de la Font du Loup, Le Puy Rolland, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Grenache, 2019 White Burgundy – There are literally way too many white burgundies that are my faves, but here are my top producers at the moment:  Benjamin Leroux Domaine Roulot Athenais de Beru Alice & Olivier DeMoor Hubert Lamy Château La Fleur Garderose – Obsessed with these wines from Bordeaux, they are using minimal intervention and the wines are unfiltered magic. Also, they will definitely entice a classic Bordeaux drinker as well! Sadly, we are sold out of this wine at the shop, but you might be able to find some bottles online!  Visit Helen's Wines for more information.   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

Bricia Lopez and her family own one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles: Guelaguetza! Do you live in LA and haven't been? RUN THERE NOW. Bricia is on a mission to bring Oaxacan food and culture to the masses. Between her family's delicious restaurant, her packaged mole business, and her michelada mix business — she took the time to sit down and school me on what it means to throw an asada, why mezcal is the bee's knees, whether ice in your beer is acceptable, and why she doesn't know how to ride a bike. I really admire and love Bricia, she is one of the smartest and most passionate people I know!   Featured Wine: Ashanta, Embryo II, Ashton Vineyards, Sonoma County, Syrah, 2021 Visit Helen's Wines for more information.   Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen Produced by Dear Media.

Syrah is a grape that is often misunderstood, or people haven't been exposed to the right ones. Once more widely planted than Cabernet Sauvignon, this gravel-rich, soil-loving grape hits so right when it's from specific areas of the world. We'll talk about my favorite (and less favorite) Syrah regions, which wine glasses will make your bottle pop, and which tacos I think pair great with a bottle of Syrah.   Shop Syrah on Helenswines.com For the Korean Duck/Syrah pairing of your dreams: Sun Ha Jang   Visit Helen's Wines for more information. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.

National treasure Gail Simmons of Top Chef fame Zooms with me all the way from New York. She's a fabulous chef, a judge on one of my favorite shows, and literally, pure joy exudes from her at every moment. Tune in while we taste some dope wine and dish on her life from Top Chef, to fashion, to recipe writing, to her favorite food cities around the world.   Featured Wines:  Phelan Farm, Cambria, Central Coast, California, Gamay, 2021   Visit Helen's Wines for more information.   Hosted by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media.