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 . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 16, 2023•35 min•Ep. 80
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 mak...
Feb 09, 2023•36 min•Ep. 84
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...
Feb 02, 2023•38 min•Ep. 76
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 . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...
Jan 26, 2023•24 min•Ep. 71
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 Johannese...
Jan 19, 2023•39 min•Ep. 72
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 lates...
Jan 12, 2023•26 min•Ep. 73
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, Pap...
Jan 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 66
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...
Dec 29, 2022•30 min•Ep. 62
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 Lig...
Dec 22, 2022•25 min•Ep. 63
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 ...
Dec 15, 2022•35 min•Ep. 72
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...
Dec 08, 2022•23 min•Ep. 43
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 and Executive Pro...
Dec 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 73
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 leftovers, and my wine pairing pro-moves, including an exotic bottle to go with your holiday pie. Head to the blog at Helen’s Wines for this week’s Cocktai...
Nov 24, 2022•23 min•Ep. 77
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 Tonda/Ciliegiolo, 2020 Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Produced by Dear Media . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...
Nov 17, 2022•26 min
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 industrialized as technology and society - advanced. As an unregulated product, mass-produced wine can have some questionable additives, animal by-products, ...
Nov 10, 2022•25 min•Ep. 65
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 bustling wine club, and serve as a Sommelier to Hollywood’s biggest stars. Hosted by Helen Johannesen. Hosted and Executive Produced by Helen Johannesen. Pro...
Nov 03, 2022•25 min•Ep. 79
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 today’s Wine Face. Hosted by Helen Johannesen. Featured Wines: Avaline Cabernet Sauvignon Avaline Rosé Wine Face listeners can use code WINEFACE for 15%...
Nov 03, 2022•36 min•Ep. 76
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. Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Cheers! Produced by Dear Media . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California ...
Oct 27, 2022•2 min
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 of Hydrant, head to drinkhydrant.com/wineface Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Jun 25, 2020•21 min
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 hear more of her story and to follow along to see what Cha is up to here are places to find her! Instagram: @cha_squared & @cherrybombedrinks Web...
Jun 18, 2020•34 min•Ep. 67
How we talk about wine has been on my mind recently. Along with an introspection on how I operate my business, how can I include more voices and create a more anti-racist wine community-- I can and will do more. These are things I have been thinking about and today decided to also talk about wine gear that is glazed over and it's often assumed the customers understands: wine glasses, wine openers, wine temperature, wine lists. Article by Miguel de Leon: Actionable Items for the wine Community Pr...
Jun 11, 2020•25 min•Ep. 45
Starting where France and Spain meet along the mediterranean, let's take a quick mentat drive long the the coast heading East and discover the significant coastal wine making zones and end up in the ultimate Dream Zone: Liguria. What's it like/ what grows there/ what is the epic terroir. Time to blast off!! Use code WINEFACE for 25% off your first order at drinkhydrant.com/wineface Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...
May 28, 2020•23 min•Ep. 75
We gotta look forward to the little things during these WEIRD ASS TIMES. This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, historically a time of friends, family and outdoor grilling. Here are some must haves to just make the weekend pop and add some special flavor into the mix. Bomb ass Rosé 2018 Valentina Passalacqua, Rosa Terra, Puglia, Nero di Troia 2018 Lise et Bertrand Jousset, Rose a Lies, Vin de France, Touraine, Gamay/Grolleau 2019 Unturned Stone Productions, The Blush, Adel's Vineyard, Dry Creek V...
May 21, 2020•22 min•Ep. 44
I woke up the other morning with Puglia in the brain! And realized we needed to talk about it! Mostly because Valentina Passalaqua's wines are a straight up vision from Puglia and break from some traditions there so it's best to get a better understanding of the entire enchilada! 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 ....
May 14, 2020•19 min•Ep. 74
Everyone should know Sarah and should eat at Night + Market in LA! But until we can do that again, let's day dream about days past, some of the dopest thai food around and how to build one of the city's best wine programs around that! We did record this pre-covid 19, so we will be getting an update from Sarah and how she is doing in future episodes. Looking for a Mother's Day gift? Try Causebox- visit causebox.com/life for 30% your first Causebox with code WINE Produced by Dear Media See Privacy...
May 07, 2020•47 min•Ep. 80
Not many people have had wine from Switzerland nor do they know much about it, so why not drop some casual knowledge on it!! Because the wines are dope! It's a very special place making very special wine. We have one producer from Switzerland in the shop right now, check out Domaine de Cherouche here ! 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 ....
Apr 30, 2020•18 min•Ep. 67
Holly Liss has been behind the scenes for the branding and styling of some of the most powerful food based restaurants and brand's instagram accounts. She's the queen of getting the perfect shot. She sits down to talk about food, dinner parties, branding, marketing and how to get to click all together. We tasted two wines! One of them is sold out, but it's cabernet franc realness and we have loads of other amazing cab francs . The other wine is this classy little Pinot Noir from Burgundy: 2017 S...
Apr 23, 2020•36 min•Ep. 82
Shit got real last month with the outbreak of the virus!! I had to take a quick hiatus from Wine Face as our business crumbled and we rushed to re-form it. Successfully! But I am back! I wanted to take a moment to address the changes that Covid-19 have had on my work life and also talk about some amazing wine trends that have been emerging as everyone stays safer at home. Produced by Dear Media See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...
Apr 16, 2020•26 min•Ep. 60
My friend Heather Taylor came by to talk about her amazing home linens line, Heather Taylor Home. Listen, it's all kinds of Covid-19 crazy out there, let's all day dream about gorgeous dinner parties to come! We tasted the Precedent Chenin Blanc and the Kou Kou Cabernet Franc! xo Helen 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 ....
Mar 20, 2020•35 min•Ep. 82
Pinot noir! Rolls of the tongue, people know it but what do we know about it? What's the deal with this grape, what's the history, let's better understand it together! 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 .
Mar 12, 2020•19 min•Ep. 67
