Shows
Always Drink The Good Stuff!Herbie Monterrosa - Italian & French Wine Expert & Great GuyToday’s guest on Always Drink the Good Stuff! Podcast is someone who truly lives and breathes wine. I had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend Herbie Monterrosa — a lifelong wine enthusiast, passionate wine salesman, dedicated traveler, and expert on both French and Italian wines. Affectionately known as the King of Italian Wines, Herbie’s journey is as inspiring as it is fascinating. In this episode, Herbie shares his story of humble beginnings working in restaurants, his path to becoming one of the top voices in Italian wine, and his deep love for Bu...2025-07-021h 01Always Drink The Good Stuff!Vahagn Voskanyan – Zara Muradyan WinesWelcome back to Always Drink the Good Stuff, where we explore the stories behind the glass and the passionate people shaping the world of wine. This week, we’re honored to welcome Vahagn Voskanyan, the force behind Zara Muradyan Wines — a remarkable Armenian winery led by his talented wife, winemaker Zara Muradyan. In this inspiring conversation, we dive into the incredible journey of Zara Muradyan Wines and the vision behind their beautifully crafted wines. Vahagn shares insights on Armenia’s ancient yet rapidly evolving wine industry, from its diverse indigenous grape variet...2025-07-0257 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Ara Zada - Chef, Author, TV Personality and Content CreatorWelcome back to Always Drink the Good Stuff where we dive deep into the stories behind the flavors and the people who bring them to life. Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with Ara Zada: chef, author, TV personality, and social media creator whose bold, heartfelt approach to Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine has captured the attention of food lovers everywhere. In this episode, Ara takes us on an honest journey through his background and culinary roots — from the highs and lows that shaped his path to the creative spark that...2025-07-0156 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Dr. Garo Bouldoukian - Garo CigarsWhat Do Chiropractors and Cigars Have in Common? Relief. On this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, we sit down with Dr. Garo Bouldoukian— a chiropractor who followed his other passion for cigars and founded Garo Cigars. From healing pain to crafting pleasure, his journey is as bold as his smokes!We asked him everything—from what drew him to medicine, to what lit the flame for cigars, and how his Armenian roots and doctor’s discipline influence his blends. He opens up about the challenges, the craft, the culture, and wh...2025-05-2856 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Greg Nemet - Co-Owner of Kareen WinesIn this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly dedicated and talented winemaker Greg Nemet, co-owner of Kareen Wines. Greg shares his family's fascinating journey—from Armenian roots in Georgia and Russia to building a life (and a wine label) in the U.S. We dive into how his winemaking style is evolving, explore the exciting new vineyards he and his family have acquired in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County, and talk about the bold, fresh wines he’s creating—including a vibrant Barbera Pet-Na...2025-04-011h 23Always Drink The Good Stuff!Kev Orkian - British-Armenian Comedian, Musician, Actor In this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, we sit down with the incredibly talented Kev Orkian – a British-Armenian comedian, musician, and actor. Kev opens up about his upbringing, sharing the unique experience of growing up in a close-knit Armenian family in London. He reflects on his journey, starting with music before transitioning into comedy, and how these two passions have shaped his career. Over the past 25 years, Kev has toured the world, blending his comedic brilliance and musical talent to entertain audiences everywhere. This insightful conversation offers a deep dive into Kev’s life, his heritage, and his...2025-03-2251 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Vahe Berberian - Comedian, Artist, Storyteller In this episode, I had the incredible honor of sitting down with Vahe Berberian, a multi-talented Armenian artist, comedian, painter, novelist, and storyteller. Known for his captivating work that blends humor, cultural reflection, and artistic mastery, Vahe shares his unique perspective on life, creativity, and the power of storytelling. From his artistic journey to his insights on the intersection of comedy and culture, this interview offers a deep dive into the heart and mind of a true visionary. Prepare for a conversation that is both thought-provoking and inspiring, as we explore the art of living and creating through the...2025-03-0957 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Jack Assadourian Jr. - Comedian #standupcomedy #foryou #glendale #armenia #mexican #losangeles #armenianmexican #mexicanarmenian #jackjr #jackjrcomic #jackjrcomedian #comedy #jokes #funny #funnyman #comedian #stepanbaghdassarian #Alwaysdrinkthegoodstuff #JackAssadourian#JackAssadourianjr2024-12-2353 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Adam Kablanian - Alexandrea WineryAdam Kablanian is a tech entrepreneur, wine entrepreneur, philanthropist humanitarian, and the owner of Alexandrea Winery in Armenia#AdamKablanian #AlexandreaWinery #viragelogic #Infosys2024-11-2857 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Allison Levine - Owner, Please The PalateAdd Description2024-10-251h 02Always Drink The Good Stuff!Victoria Arslanian - CEO - Armas Wines, ArmeniaVictoria Arslanian is a trailblazing winery owner and winemaker who knows what it takes not only to put her winery on the world map but also the entire Armenian wine industry. Hear her story and the story of Armas wines.2024-10-2453 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Melkon Khosrovia - Co-Founder - Greenbar DistilleryA Pioneering Craft Distiller, Melkon Khosrovian is the co-founder and spirits maker at Greenbar Distillery, Los Angeles’s first distillery since Prohibition and maker of a growing portfolio of organic spirits and non-alcoholic cocktails. Learn how it was a graduate class in journalism that introduced him to his future wife and the rest as they say is in the bottle!2024-10-241h 08Always Drink The Good Stuff!Alan Semsar - CEO - Barcelona Enterprises A heartfelt and sometimes touching conversation with social media influencer and marketer, the CEO of Barcelona Enterprises Alen Semsar.#alwaysdrinkthegoodstuff #alwaysdrinkthegoodstuffpodcast #stepanbaghdassarian #podcast #alansemsar #marketing #socialmediainfluencer #privateaviation #civilaviation #privatejet #jetsetter #vannuysairport #vannuys #barcelona #barcelonaenterprises #marketing #katsuya #katsuyasushi2024-10-1857 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff! lan Blackburn - Founder & CEO - LearnAboutWine.comA passionate conversation with wine educator, sommelier, winemaker and founder and CEO of Learn About Wine Ian Blackburn.2024-10-141h 01Always Drink The Good Stuff! Viken Yacoubian, Ph.D. - Partner - Yacoubian-Hobbs WinesA candid and inspiring conversation with psychologist, college professor, school principal and winery owner Dr. Viken Yacoubian. Learn how love of wine and love of Armenia brought Viken to set up a winery in Armenia in partnership with world renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs. Learn how that friendship started and the rest, as they say, is Armenian wine history.2024-09-2855 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Greg Hosharian - Composer/Conductor/Musician/ProfessorGreg Hosharian joins the podcast to talk to Stepan about music! From his childhood and family roots to conducting an orchestra at the Disney Concert Hall!2024-09-0556 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Frederic Hemon - SommelierStepan sits down with Sommelier, Frederic Hemon and talks about his passion for wine, hospitality, and his vast experience as the sommelier at the amazing Alexander's Steakhouse in Pasadena. 2024-08-2754 minAlways Drink The Good Stuff!Karineh Gurjian - PhotographerStepan sits down with photographer Karineh Gurjian and talks about her inspiration for the photographic art she is so passionate about creating.2024-08-2652 min
Uncork Your MindAreni: A Dark & Mysterious Grape Areni is a grape that is grown in Armenia and for our first episode of Winephabet Street, we got a double A. Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Exploring the Wine Glass and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us. Armenia is considered the birthplace of...2022-04-081h 05