Always Drink The Good Stuff!

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Aimee Keushguerian, Armenian winemaker, founder of Zulal Wines, Managing Director of Keush Wines, and daughter of renowned winemaker Vahe Keushguerian.

In this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, we explore Aimee’s journey into winemaking, her family’s role in the renaissance of Armenian wine, and her passion for preserving Armenia’s indigenous grape varieties.

Our conversation takes us well beyond Armenia, exploring the great wine regions of the world, from Napa Valley to Burgundy and Bordeaux. We discuss winemaking traditions, terroir, wine culture, and the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of winemakers.

Aimee also shares her perspective as one of the personalities featured in the acclaimed wine documentary SOMM: Cup of Salvation.

An engaging conversation about wine, heritage, family, discovery, and the people who make the world of wine so extraordinary.

Pour yourself a glass, join the conversation, and remember: Always Drink the Good Stuff!

In this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, Stepan Baghdassarian sits down with Vahe Baloulian, wine entrepreneur, winery owner, and one of the people instrumental in shaping Yerevan’s modern wine culture. Vahe is a partner in In Vino, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, Tapastan, and Akump, with a career spanning wine, hospitality, and entrepreneurship in Armenia and the United States. We discuss the remarkable growth of Armenia’s wine industry, whether the supply of Armenian wine is beginning to outpace demand, the challenges facing producers, and what it will take to build a larger international market for Armenian wines. Vahe also shares details about an exciting new initiative aimed at introducing and promoting Armenian wines in the U.S. and potentially Europe. A thoughtful conversation about where Armenian wine has been, where it is today, and where it needs to go next. Always Drink the Good Stuff!

Anthony Rahayel of No Garlic No Onions joins me for a fascinating and heartfelt conversation about Lebanon, Middle Eastern food, hospitality and culture.Anthony has become one of the leading voices showcasing the authentic food culture of Lebanon and the Middle East through his videos, storytelling and travels across Lebanon, Dubai, Europe, the United States and Canada.

In this episode we discuss Lebanese cuisine, the importance of authenticity, the emergence of Syrian food internationally, Dubai's food scene, the best Middle Eastern food cities in North America, and the deeper cultural role that food and hospitality play in connecting people to their roots.This conversation goes far beyond food. It is about culture, resilience, identity and storytelling.Listen now on Spotify and watch the full episode on YouTube.

In this episode, we sit down with Toshio Ueno—Sake Samurai, Master of Sake, Master Sake Sommelier, and WSET Sake Educator—making him the only person in the world to hold all three titles, along with the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines.

We dive into everything you’ve always wanted to know about sake—but were afraid to ask.

From breaking common myths to exploring how sake pairs not just with sushi but with global cuisine, this conversation opens up an entirely new perspective on one of the world’s most misunderstood beverages.

If you love wine, food, and discovering something new, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sona Movsesian — author, comedian, and co-host of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.

We talk about her journey working with Conan O'Brien, the evolution of her role from assistant to on-air personality, and the Armenia trip that helped reconnect her with her heritage.

We also dive into Armenian culture in Los Angeles, her support for Armenian causes, and the humor and perspective that define her voice.

A thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation you won’t want to miss.

A wonderful conversation with Guillemette Ferrando of Famille Isabel Ferrando in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Guillemette and her mother, acclaimed winemaker Isabel Ferrando, are currently featured on the cover of the March issue of Wine Spectator — one of the highest recognitions in the wine world.

We talked about how Isabel founded the winery, the philosophy behind their elegant house style, the Rhône grape varieties they grow, and what makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape and nearby Avignon such historic and remarkable places for wine.

We also discussed the evolution of their wines and the global recognition their estate continues to receive.

An inspiring conversation about family, terroir, passion, and the wines of the Southern Rhône.

Always Drink the Good Stuff!

#ChateauneufduPape #RhoneValley #WinePodcast #FrenchWine #Grenache #WineSpectator #Winemaker #WineEducation #FineWine #WomenInWine #GuillemetteFerrando #FamilleIsabelFerrando #IsabelFerrando #StepanBaghdassarian # AlwaysDrinktheGoodStuff

We had a wonderful and honest conversation with Aram Deirmenjian of Kiamie Wine Cellars in Paso Robles.

Aram shares the full story behind Kiamie — how the winery started, why they chose Paso Robles, and what makes the Paso wine culture so unique. We dive into his evolution as a winemaker, how his wines have matured over time, and how Paso Robles itself has transformed into one of California’s most exciting wine regions.

We also talk about something many wineries struggle with — distribution. Kiamie has chosen to focus primarily on direct-to-consumer sales rather than traditional retail distribution. Aram explains why building personal relationships with customers matters, and how their loyal supporters truly appreciate the wines and the experience.

And yes… for the first time on the show, we had a four-legged guest — Aram’s lovable dog, Archoog 🐾

If you love stories about entrepreneurship, winemaking, and the evolution of California wine culture, this episode is for you.

Always Drink the Good Stuff! 🍷

— Stepan Baghdassarian

#AlwaysDrinkTheGoodStuff #WinePodcast #PasoRoblesWine #DirectToConsumer #WinemakerStories #CaliforniaWine #PasoWine #Entrepreneurship #WineCulture #WineLife #AramDeirmenjian #KiamieWineCellars #StepanBaghdassarian

In this episode, we sit down with Varinder Sahi, Owner & Winemaker of Copia Vineyards in Paso Robles, for a candid and deeply human conversation about land, heritage, and the unlikely path that led him to world-class winemaking.

Born in Punjab and raised within thirteen generations of Indian farming tradition, Varinder shares how the philosophy that “land is like mother” continues to guide every decision he makes in the vineyard. From his early years in engineering and business, to discovering wine later in life and studying winemaking at UC Davis, this episode traces the full arc of a calling that brought him back to his agricultural roots—halfway across the world.

We talk openly about identity and representation in the wine world, what it means to be one of the few Indian winemakers in California, and how Varinder and his wife Anita—co-owners of Copia—have become respected trailblazers not only in Paso Robles, but across the global wine regions they visit for inspiration.

This is a conversation about curiosity, patience, resilience, and building something meaningful from the ground up—one vineyard block, one harvest, and one bottle at a time.

If you care about terroir, heritage, and the stories behind the wine in your glass, this episode is for you.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ara Dabandjian, founder, arranger, and musical director of Element Band, for a deep, thoughtful, and truly inspiring conversation about music, culture, and legacy.

Founded in 2005, Element Band has become a cornerstone of the Armenian music scene in Los Angeles, known for reimagining traditional Armenian songs in a way that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. In this episode, Ara shares the story behind the band’s creation, the artistic vision that has guided it for nearly two decades, and the responsibility that comes with carrying cultural heritage through music.

We also spoke about Ara’s recent trip to Armenia, where he worked closely with children, teaching them how to form a band, collaborate, and perform together — a powerful example of how music can educate, inspire, and keep tradition alive for future generations.

Our conversation explores creativity, mentorship, identity, and the evolution of Armenian music in the diaspora, as well as what’s ahead for Element Band with exciting new albums on the horizon. This episode is filled with insight, warmth, and meaningful reflections that go far beyond music alone.

The full podcast is now live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AlwaysDrinkTheGoodStuff

#AraDabandjian #ElementBand #ArmenianMusic #ArmenianCulture #ArmenianArtist #MusicPodcast #PodcastInterview #AlwaysDrinkTheGoodStuff #ArmenianDiaspora #ArmenianPride #LosAngelesArmenians #WorldMusic #CulturalStorytelling #MusicAndCulture #CreativeJourney #NewMusic #BehindTheMusic #ArmeniansOfLA #YouTubePodcast #SpotifyPodcast #StepanBaghdassarian

🎙️ Always Drink the Good Stuff! Podcast – Featuring Vander (Von) Kochar Filmmaker, Writer & Philosopher

In this episode of Always Drink the Good Stuff!, I sit down with award-winning filmmaker, writer, and philosopher Vander (Von) Kochar — a visionary creator whose work challenges the limits of narrative and thought.

Von’s films are known for blending magical realism with daring social commentary, creating cinematic experiences that provoke, question, and inspire. From the psychological mystery of Italian for Travelers, to the socially impactful documentary Heal America, the historically rich Re-Electing Lincoln, and the bold sci-fi thriller Manfish, his projects explore worlds where reality and imagination constantly intersect.

Throughout our conversation, we dive deep into: • The philosophical roots shaping his storytelling • How cinema can change the way we see society • Why magical realism reveals truths logic can’t reach • His experiences winning major film festival awards • The journey of bringing experimental films to global audiences • What drives him to push artistic boundaries • The future of narrative filmmaking through his lens

Whether you’re a filmmaker, a lover of cinema, or simply someone curious about how ideas become art — this is a conversation that will leave you thinking long after the final frame.

🎬 Full video available on YouTube 🎧 Audio streaming on Spotify 🍷 Pour a glass, settle in — and Always Drink the Good Stuff!

#VanderKochar #VonKochar #FilmmakerInterview #PhilosophyAndFilm #IndieFilmMakers #CinematicArt #ExperimentalCinema #MagicalRealismFilm #FilmDirectorLife #CreativeProcess #AlwaysDrinkTheGoodStuff #ArmenianFilmmakers #ThoughtProvokingFilms #YouTubePodcast #SpotifyPodcast #FilmCommunity #DocumentaryFilmmaking #BehindTheLens #ArtOfStorytelling #CreativeConversation #MagicalRealism #StepanBaghdassarian