Behind the Hospitality Curtain with Arjav Ezekiel

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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.