Best Helen Johannesen Podcasts (2024)

1
Goodbye for Now.... 9:13

10M ago9:13

9:13

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 grat…

1
Behind the Hospitality Curtain with Arjav Ezekiel 37:20

10M ago37:20

37:20

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 B…

1
LIGURIA 411 15:44

11M ago15:44

15:44

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 m…

1
30 Minutes with Chiara Pepe from Emidio Pepe! 39:06

11M ago39:06

39:06

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 per…

1
From the Cellar: France is my Hand 26:50

11M ago26:50

26:50

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!! Hoste…

1
From the Cellar: BEAR SKIN RUG 40:34

11M ago40:34

40:34

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 thre…

1
From the Cellar: Intro to Jura 25:08

12M ago25:08

25:08

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 min…

1
From the Cellar: Jon Gray from Ghetto Gastro! 42:10

12M ago42:10

42:10

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 & …

1
Somm Boss Squared with Ryan Bailey 41:16

12M ago41:16

41:16

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 restauran…

1
How to Pick a Stellar Sicilian Wine 15:53

1y ago15:53

15:53

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr…

1
Wine + Matcha with Rocky Xu 33:10

1y ago33:10

33:10

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 ou…

1
Eating My Flowers with Loria Stern 40:08

1y ago40:08

40:08

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!…

1
How to Write a Badass Wine List 16:22

1y ago16:22

16:22

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art1…

1
In the Mix with Nixta’s Sara Mardanbigi 34:54

1y ago34:54

34:54

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 husban…

1
Rosé 101 Refresher 23:13

1y ago23:13

23:13

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 …

1
TERROIR: Going Deep (Into the Earth) with Brenna Quigley 33:10

1y ago33:10

33:10

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr…

1
Alpine Wines! 18:03

1y ago18:03

18:03

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…

1
Wine + Style with THE Juliana Salazar 45:46

1y ago45:46

45:46

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 …

1
Spring Wine Trends 21:46

1y ago21:46

21:46

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p…

1
Being a Badass Chef with Brooke Williamson 39:09

1y ago39:09

39:09

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 Execut…

1
Is It The Summer of Ramato? 17:20

1y ago17:20

17:20

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 Prod…

1
Caviar Dreamin' with Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai 41:35

1y ago41:35

41:35

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 l…

1
Being a Working Mom in Wine 17:16

1+ y ago17:16

17:16

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. See Privacy Policy at ht…

1
Jon Buscemi (+ a Chad Melville drop-in!) 38:26

1+ y ago38:26

38:26

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 Jo…

1
Getting Into Orange Wine 21:02

1+ y ago21:02

21:02

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 o…

1
Cab Franc: That Green Bell Pepper Realness 21:59

1+ y ago21:59

21:59

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 G…

1
Getting Real with Eric Wareheim 35:32

1+ y ago35:32

35:32

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, sparkli…

1
Tasting Wine 101 23:29

1+ y ago23:29

23:29

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…

1
Lauren ‘LP’ Paylor-O’Brien Drops Cocktail Knowledge 35:07

1+ y ago35:07

35:07

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 w…

1
Wine + Vineyard Visit Etiquette 17:17

1+ y ago17:17

17:17

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 …

1
Jon + Vinny 35:12

1+ y ago35:12

35:12

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. Produce…

1
Wine and Chocolate with Valerie Confections 35:37

1+ y ago35:37

35:37

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 cho…

1
THE. PIA. BARONCINI. 38:11

1+ y ago38:11

38:11

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 …

1
Wine + Vintages 23:58

1+ y ago23:58

23:58

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 Cuvé…

1
Breaking Down the LA Art and Wine Scene with Khalil Kinsey 38:51

1+ y ago38:51

38:51

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…

1
Wine Glasses: the Who, the Why, the What Do I Do? 26:18

1+ y ago26:18

26:18

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…

1
TINX 35:09

1+ y ago35:09

35:09

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 …

1
The History of Champagne 29:48

1+ y ago29:48

29:48

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. …

1
Wine + Christmas 25:17

1+ y ago25:17

25:17

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…

1
I LOVE Micheladas because of Bricia Lopez 34:58

1+ y ago34:58

34:58

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 …

1
Syrah SZN, baby!!! 22:53

1+ y ago22:53

22:53

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, …

1
Top Gail! Best Day Ever with Gail Simmons 35:10

1+ y ago35:10

35:10

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 …

1
Wine + Thanksgiving 23:03

1+ y ago23:03

23:03

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Wine Face to you and yours. Before you start baking your bird, mashing your potatoes, and popping your bubbly, let’s look at all the different wine choices that will have your friends, family, and food singing. I’ll also share my favorite turkey recipe (shout-out Alison Roman!), my favorite way to use T-Day lefto…

1
Screw Cap Club with What’s Gaby Cooking 25:33

1+ y ago25:33

25:33

Gaby Dalkin of What's Gaby Cooking is a literal wiz in the kitchen, has the best energy, and is one of the most real ones to chat with. In this episode of Wine Face, we talk about culinary school, rosé pasta, motherhood, and just loving all things food and wine. Featured Wines: Le Boncie, Cinque, Rosso di Toscana, Sangiovese/Colorino/Mammolo/Foglia…

1
How Wine is Made: The Good, the Bad, the “Natty” 25:17

1+ y ago25:17

25:17

I support and love all kinds of wine, but I think it helps people to understand wine as an agricultural product if we start with what is and is not considered a “Natural” wine. Listen, I really don’t like labels, but we gotta break it down before we build it back up! Winemaking dates back thousands and thousands of years but it’s since been industr…

1
The 411 on Your Host: Helen 24:57

1+ y ago24:57

24:57

Sommelier. Business owner. Podcast host. My journey into the wine world wasn’t a straight line. With a few colleges and brief career stops along the way at a collections agency, a top chef’s restaurant, and the Court of Master Sommeliers, I carved out my own niche in the industry. Find out how I came to be a partner in six businesses, run a bustlin…

1
What’s NOT in the Bottle ft. Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power 36:11

1+ y ago36:11

36:11

Longtime friends Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power started their wine brand Avaline five years ago. What might have started as a way to understand what organic wine really meant has now turned into an exciting passion and business. Cameron and Katherine sit down with me to discuss the brand’s inception, reception, and, of course, drinkability, on to…

1
Re-introducing: Wine Face! 1:40

1+ y ago1:40

1:40

Break out your best glasses, y'all because Wine Face is BACK! Helen Johannesen from Helen's Wines is behind the microphone once again to sprinkle little gems of wine knowledge into your ears. Tune in every Thursday for tips, tricks, do's, don't's, celebrity and tastemaker interviews, recipes, and more! Wine Face returns Thursday, November 3rd, 2022…

1
Ep. 69 What's New About Wine 20:57

4y ago20:57

20:57

What is new about wine? As season three concludes, taking a look at how the last month has shifted and changed the lens of how we look about wine and what's important. Winemakers discussed: Krista Scruggs: https://zafawines.com/ Andre Hueston Mack: https://maisonnoirwines.com/ Brown Estate: https://www.brownestate.com/ For 25% off your first order …

1
Ep. 68 Contextualizing with Cha McCoy 33:57

4y ago33:57

33:57

Cha McCoy is an incredible force in the wine industry. She has traveled the world, lived in several countries honing and contextualizing her mastery of wine and wine education. She is a Sommelier, an educator, a leader and a visionary for the beverage industry. She was just named Cherry Bombe's first Beverage Director! Check out our conversation to…

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Helen Johannesen Podcasts

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