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Learning about wine is NOT about swirling and sniffing…it is about the story. I believe…
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisBuying a winery in Napa requires the right reason. I am convinced that most wealth that lands in Napa is to create a vanity brand. And in my opinion, it takes more than that to create an expression of a time and place. The Palmaz family landed in Napa having left Argentina, not to create a vanity brand, but for a real, earnest reason. You see, Dr. Julio Palmaz invented the artery "stent." Yes, Palmaz Vineyards is the landing place for the lifestyle created by the very medical device that has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. And the Palmaz family did NOT land there to say "we own a winery" . It landed there to reinforce the family unit. To create a place to coalesce, to gather, to bond. Hear from Florencia Palmaz as she tells of navigating her childhood around her father's regular worldwide travel to teach the medical community on the use of the "stent"and more. From Europe, to the US, to Asia, and infinity and beyond, Dr. Palmaz taught the worldwide medical community on this revolutionary device...and decided to land in Napa to recommit to his family.
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisA lot of moving parts. That is how you sum up marketing wine. For every marketing approach I read about for marketing wine invites another approach that is completely opposite. In today's marketing world, we are looking for the silver bullet, the one thing that we had been missing that takes the whole enterprise over the top...it ain't gonna happen. Because marketing, by definition, is a compilation of many fronts. many efforts, and many directional changes. Recently, in Wine Talks, I spoke with Thomas Seguy of Château Troplong Mondot. And here he touches on some of the old school, but necessary methods of moving the needle. Bordeaux, one of the oldest, more prolific wine production areas, is actually getting some traction today. One thing is for sure, they are putting out some very competitive wines in both quality and price. Hear from Thomas Sequy as he discusses some tried and true methods of marketing the ancient terroir of Bordeaux. It ain't flashy Instagram posts. YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gA9uyF-b
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisHollywood and wine had a problem until now. Once I was on a flight from Paris and spyed a wine show on the in-flight channel list. Two Masters of Wine trying to be funny...ummm, I was embarrassed for them, and I didn't even know who they were. Short of Drops of God, most wine films are not well received. The movie "Bottle Shock," a rough attempt to chronicle the Judgment of Paris, was a box-office flop. Enter David Schulner with a crazy story of Hollywood strikes, Sommelier certification, and pure determination: the very company (Netflix) he was required to picket against has offered him the chance to write and show-run a pilot for a Rom-Com in Napa. Go figure. He sat with Paul Kalemkiarian to share the passion, history, and plight to get to this point. You can make people fall in love with a bottle of wine before they ever taste it—because wine is all about stories, not just flavor 00:00. The best training for showrunning in television is actually working restaurant service, because managing chaos on the floor mirrors the chaos behind the screen 15:41. Legendary wine regions like Napa and Bordeaux are always “dying”—but that’s just proof that real artistry, vulnerability, and passion are required for survival 34:33. Hospitality fails when sommeliers let their ego eclipse guest experience; truly great service is about making everyone, regardless of knowledge or status, feel special 25:15. The romanticism of wine is balanced by the gritty realities: wasp stings, 5-hour sleeps, and relentless labor are as much a part of the craft as the vineyard drone shots (48:20). YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ggXDFzRd Interesting notes during the show: Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ The Juilliard School: https://www.juilliard.edu/ William Morris Agency (now WME): https://wmeagency.com/ Court of Master Sommeliers: https://lnkd.in/gN44EPYC Napa Valley Wine Academy: https://lnkd.in/g6Cc34ur Gwen Restaurant (by Chris Stone): https://www.gwenla.com/ Maude (by Curtis Stone): https://lnkd.in/gb-_6_U3 Silver Oak: https://www.silveroak.com/ Caymus Vineyards: https://www.caymus.com/ Opus One Winery LLC: https://lnkd.in/g9M-qNr5 Grgich Hills Estate: https://www.grgich.com/ Robert Sinskey Vineyards: https://lnkd.in/gZ5SN559 Wine Paris: https://lnkd.in/gz-hXPu5 Stagecoach Vineyards (now owned by Gallo): https://www.gallo.com/ Vieux Château Certan: https://lnkd.in/gDEzgmuj Château Cheval Blanc: https://lnkd.in/gWqf4qxu AdVini Global: https://www.advini.com/ Châteauneuf-du-Pape (general region info): https://lnkd.in/gXWddD9t Wine Masters TV: https://winemasters.tv/ SOMM TV | SOMM FILMS: https://www.sommtv.com/
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisWhere do you think this sales call is going?...based on a true sales story. It is a scenario from my days at Xerox, and no one will guess the outcome and how I navigated the sale of a $250,000 copier. Background: I had a great relationship with the Controller, Mr. Walker, I had never met the President, nor did he know of me. He actually took the call and gave me an answer. I agree with Ben Salisbury most of the time on his analysis and fixes for sales and salesmanship in the wine trade, but I believe there are irrefutable techniques and approaches in sales that transcend all industries. Tell me what you think is going to happen. I'll finish the story next post. PK
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisThis is not an indictment of Somms. Merely observations from the field. Maybe we can learn. This particular incident, except for the end, occurred in a typical higher-end Italian restaurant. I was with my family, and we were enjoying a nice dinner. There was a BTG that was familiar to me; I had just tasted it in the shop. I thought it was really good value when I tasted it, and the price at the restaurant was fair for the quality. He poured; the wine was corked. I'll let the video tell the story...Because I thought I was on Candid Camera. The annoying part of this sequence was that I know what they paid for the wine...and he could have opened a fresh bottle and still have been well within a reasonable margin...to make the customer happy. Have a watch...Like I said, I felt like I was on Candid Camera.
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisAmanda Azar may be the only person who can make “torturing” her partner with bad wine sound like a priceless education, but that’s just the tip of the bottle here. I respect Chuck and Amanda Azar, they are chasing a dream, and in a rather accelerated pace. I've never heard of such quick turnaround from idea to opening in my entire career. The ABC alone could stall you for months, but Chuck and Amanda were open in 90 days from the fateful phone call the Chuck made to Amanda. What would possess someone to pick up the phone, call your wife and suggest that you open a wine bar together? I suppose if you just left an excruciating corporate meeting and you realized that you have had enough...you pick up the phone and call your wife and suggest you open a wine bar. In this episode, you’ll enter the world of two hospitality visionaries who’ve poured sweat, soul, and every saved penny into their dream—a wine bar born from decades inside both the supplier and distributor trenches of the wine industry. You’ll hear stories of failures—10,000 wine brands, 99% of them doomed—and how the real magic comes not from corporate playbooks or celebrity endorsements, but from relentless perseverance, deep culture, and a partnership fueled by passion, humor, and plenty of grape leaves. Here, a glass isn’t just filled; it’s accompanied by stories, family, and genuine warmth. There’s inspiration in Amanda’s Sicilian childhood, where wine was never taboo but a natural extension of family, food, and connection. Pair this with her partner’s Palestinian heritage, and you’ll witness how root-deep values of generosity and community shape not just the service but the heart behind it all. The episode uncorks what it truly means to build something together: overcoming headwinds, trusting each other’s strengths, and redefining what success and hospitality can look like. And if you’ve ever wondered what working side-by-side with your spouse looks like when exhaustion and dreams are equally shared, you’ll find insight—and camaraderie—at this table. Listen in and you will learn: 🍷 Why “what grows together goes together” is more than a catchy phrase—it's a philosophy for pairing wine, food, and life. 🍷 What it really takes to work with your spouse in business, blending strengths, sharing burdens, and supporting each other's dreams. 🍷 How to curate a wine list that resists commercial sameness and instead tells a story, elevates the experience, and educates palates. 🍷 The secret power of genuine hospitality—treating staff and guests as family, and why that matters more than any fancy marketing. 🍷 Real-world lessons from the trenches: why passion, persistence, and authenticity are worth more than a celebrity name on a wine label. Apple: https://lnkd.in/gYFezdua Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gGGycWpN YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gDWrwW-2
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisTruly honored. Why? Because this was not a "pay to play"ranking. In fact, ranked by an industry podcast B2B company... And they are correct; it takes nothing but passion to podcast, to schedule, to edit, to bring the stories to light. I do it because I love it. I learn, I grow, I help. Thank you.Paul Kalemkiarian shared this🎧 Top 30 California Wine Podcasts of 2026! 🎧 🔗 Full list here: https://lnkd.in/dDwQXYTA For wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, winemakers, vineyard owners, and food & beverage professionals — this list features podcasts covering California wines, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, winemaking, viticulture, wine tasting, vineyard stories, and industry trends to help you deepen your appreciation for the Golden State's world-renowned wine culture 🍷🍇🎙️✨ 🎧 Why use this list? ✅ Direct access to podcast hosts & producers — perfect for outreach, collaborations, and guest appearances. ✅ Save hours of searching — curated California wine podcasts in one place. ✅ Ideal for wineries, wine brands, PR pros, hospitality businesses, and wine enthusiasts looking to connect with influential voices in California's wine industry 💡🔥 Top 10 California Wine Podcasts of the Year: 1. Wine Talks with Paul K. 2. Exploring the Wine Glass 3. The TallMikeWine Podcast 4. California Wine Country 5. The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits 6. ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE 7. GuildSomm Podcast 8. Wine Access Unfiltered 9. Indie Wine podcast 10. Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast 👏 Big applause to all creators showcasing the rich heritage and innovation of California wine—sharing expert tasting insights, winemaking knowledge, vineyard stories, and engaging conversations that inspire listeners to discover exceptional wines and the passionate people behind every bottle 🌟🎧🍷🔥 Amanda McCrossin Sam Coturri Paul Kalemkiarian
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Paul Kalemkiarian reposted thisPaul Kalemkiarian reposted this🎧 Top 30 California Wine Podcasts of 2026! 🎧 🔗 Full list here: https://lnkd.in/dDwQXYTA For wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, winemakers, vineyard owners, and food & beverage professionals — this list features podcasts covering California wines, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, winemaking, viticulture, wine tasting, vineyard stories, and industry trends to help you deepen your appreciation for the Golden State's world-renowned wine culture 🍷🍇🎙️✨ 🎧 Why use this list? ✅ Direct access to podcast hosts & producers — perfect for outreach, collaborations, and guest appearances. ✅ Save hours of searching — curated California wine podcasts in one place. ✅ Ideal for wineries, wine brands, PR pros, hospitality businesses, and wine enthusiasts looking to connect with influential voices in California's wine industry 💡🔥 Top 10 California Wine Podcasts of the Year: 1. Wine Talks with Paul K. 2. Exploring the Wine Glass 3. The TallMikeWine Podcast 4. California Wine Country 5. The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits 6. ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE 7. GuildSomm Podcast 8. Wine Access Unfiltered 9. Indie Wine podcast 10. Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast 👏 Big applause to all creators showcasing the rich heritage and innovation of California wine—sharing expert tasting insights, winemaking knowledge, vineyard stories, and engaging conversations that inspire listeners to discover exceptional wines and the passionate people behind every bottle 🌟🎧🍷🔥 Amanda McCrossin Sam Coturri Paul Kalemkiarian
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Paul Kalemkiarian shared thisLouis Calli is in the house!...and he uses 4-letter words. Well, who wouldn't when talking about the wine trade today. Mr. Calli posted this: "Wine has gotten so unbelievably soft. It walks around whining and making apologies." And then he uses these vintage photographs with unknown but relevant people, and I had to find out what makes this guy tick.... and he is like a time bomb...tick, tick, tick. That is almost the way he describes the wine trade. Louis Calli doesn’t coddle the wine industry—he pokes holes in its sacred myths. Wine isn't dying, but it’s become soft. The illusion of passive growth? Dead. Too many brands chase every trend, hoping something sticks. Instead, the market is flooded with non-alcoholic fads and phony labels. What happened to authenticity? This episode asks: Has tradition become a crutch rather than a strength? The discussion explored the brutal truth—most “innovation” is just fear. Distribution is a warzone. DTC is getting costlier by the click. Legacy brands stare at irrelevance. Owners behind the scenes have forgotten the front lines. Sound familiar? If you believe honest stories and real relationships still matter, you’ll get arguments here. The call to action is blunt: stop apologizing, stop copying, start doubling down. Don’t wait for the industry to fix itself. Make wine dangerous again. Sit back and grab a glass; here’s a spicy flight of lessons you’ll learn: 🍷 Why the industry’s obsession with new products and non-alcoholic gimmicks is weakening—not saving—wine’s allure. 🍷 How private equity’s “brand house” strategy hollowed out the middle, and why legacy may now be wine’s greatest asset or greatest trap. 🍷 The controversial truth that social media marketing is mostly a money pit, not a silver bullet—and why real customer relationships still matter more. 🍷 Why making wine “the story” in every tasting room moment is suffocating your business—and how letting it be “part of the scene” ignites true connection. 🍷 The fiercely debated advice that wineries should stop apologizing, stop diversifying by default, and unapologetically “pour gasoline” on whatever is actually working. You will come away not only with bold new strategies, but a candid sense of what it will take to thrive when polite resignation is finally off the table. Wine Talks with Paul K. LLC. Ridge Vineyards VGS Chateau Potelle Winery Clarice Wine Company Jean-Charles Boisset Wine Enthusiast Wine Spectator Wine Advocate Golf Digest Bouchon Bistrot Safeway
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Congratulations. Check this out: https://youtu.be/xKCMCcHIFSw?is=pTRxTABiycd0zLWT
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Racking my brain to find a project together….good luck out there.
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Paul Kalemkiarian Of course, on a blitz day at Xerox, I was to have a ride along from Corporate...he canelled at the last minute...and thank goodness, virtually all of my appointments cancelled...I had no one to visit!
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Paul Kalemkiarian liked thisPaul Kalemkiarian liked thisI'm adding a little Kelly green to LinkedIn. As of today, I'm #OpenToWork. For the past two years, I've focused my professional energy on building Napa Valley Noir, the luxury concierge company I founded to create exceptional experiences in Napa and Sonoma counties. I'm proud of what I've built. I'm also a realist. Businesses take time to grow, and I'm ready to put the rest of what I do to work alongside it. My career has never fit neatly into one box. I spent three decades as a journalist, from covering the Los Angeles Lakers as the team's first female beat writer and reporting on air for CNN/SI to writing about luxury travel and serving as editor of Haute Living San Francisco. Along the way, I've traveled to nearly 50 countries and territories. I also co-wrote the New York Times bestseller "Come to Win" with Venus Williams, and my book "The Dog Lover's Guide to Travel" (National Geographic) won a Lowell Thomas Award. In Napa Valley, I spent nearly eight years as the founding Director of Communications at Alpha Omega winery, building the role from the ground up. I served as its spokesperson, led communications through wildfire seasons and the launch of the Alpha Omega Collective, and created an employee communications program whose traditions continue today. Whether on camera, onstage or in a room full of partners, I know how to represent a brand. Through Napa Valley Noir, I work with leisure travelers and blue-chip corporate clients, including Tod's and a repeat Fortune 500 client. I've developed strategic partnerships with wineries, hotels and restaurants, and I know what makes luxury experiences feel personal rather than transactional. The company has been featured in Forbes and Essence. It was also named No. 3 Best Wine Tour Company nationally in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards and highest-ranked in Napa Valley/Sonoma County. I'm interested in full-time roles, consulting engagements and projects in three areas: * Communications and PR * Brand storytelling and content * Partnerships, programming and guest experience The wine and hospitality industries are natural fits, as are luxury and lifestyle brands, tourism, culinary, media, cultural organizations and nonprofits. I'm based in Napa Valley and open to on-site, hybrid and remote work. Know an organization or project that could benefit from my communications expertise, storytelling instincts, public presence and hospitality background? Please message me or tag someone who should see this. And if your team is planning a Wine Country retreat or client event, Napa Valley Noir would love to design it. Consider the Kelly green light officially on. #OpenToWork #Communications #PublicRelations #Storytelling #Hospitality #WineCountry
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Paul Kalemkiarian liked thisRight on the heels of World Tourism Day, a timely reminder of the power of travel and tourism to connect people, strengthen communities, and create meaningful opportunities. Proud to lend my voice to AIM Voices | Shaping the Future of Travel & Tourism, alongside fellow Aim Foundation Armenia Board members, as we share our perspectives on building a more innovative, responsible, and connected future for our industry. As our founders head to Malta for the WTTC Global Summit, I’m excited to see these important conversations continue on the global stage. The future of tourism is one we all have a role in shaping. 🌍 #WorldTourismDay #AIMVoices #WTTC #TravelAndTourism #TourismPaul Kalemkiarian liked this❕ AIM Voices | Shaping the Future of Travel and Tourism ❕ Meet our Executive Board Member, Sisian Boghossian, MBA Ahead of the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit Malta 2026, we asked the AIM Foundation Board Members to share one thought on the future of our industry. Different perspectives - one shared ambition to shape a more innovative, responsible and connected future for Travel and Tourism.
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Paul Kalemkiarian liked thisPaul Kalemkiarian liked thisWe had an amazing market blitz launching Lo Secco, THE Zero Sugar Prosecco last week in South Carolina with Bear Island Distributors. Over 40 account placements in three days, premier accounts. Many thanks to Brian Lewis and his terrific team for navigating our market entry. The winning consumer combo for the brand as we lead with unmatched flavor profile and style, visual impact and nutritional transparency at Lo Secco, THE Zero Sugar Prosecco. What does this mean for the consumer? Permission. 🥂 Florida and Georgia—you are next on the upcoming blitz agenda, and we are looking forward to extending South Carolina’s experience. ——————————————- Shop and Ship Lo Secco, THE Zero Sugar Prosecco https://lnkd.in/gyFKbKJg
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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President of Arcadia American Little League
Arcadia, CA
- 1 year 8 months
Best feeling in the world to tryout, practice and dress 500 kids for Little League opening Day..
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President
ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTER CLUB
- 2 years
Children
Responsible for fund raising budget shortfalls to support the 800 high school athletes. As well, organized events to explore parenting a high school athlete.
Honors & Awards
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Businessman Of The Year
Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
This award was given in response to the contributions the Wine of the Month Club and our family have given to the community.
Languages
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English
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Nous pouvons parler Français ensemble.
Limited working proficiency
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