I was walking on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach and I spied some activity in what was a small French inspired restaurant which had closed months earlier. I decided to poke my head in a find you what was going on.  Greeted by a smiling, pleasant woman, I sat at the new wine bar named Malendrina. And the conversation ensued as I was completely taken by Amanda Azar and the story of her and her husbanc, Chuck and their venture into enrtrepreneurship.

Amanda 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. 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.

You’ll come away not only inspired by their grit but with a deeper sense of what it means to use wine as a vessel for true connection, discovery, and belonging.

Malendrina Wine Bar: https://www.malendrina.com

Tensley Winery: https://www.tensleywines.com

Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com

BevMo: https://www.bevmo.com

Trader Joe’s: https://www.traderjoes.com

Southern: https://www.southernglazers.com