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How did I get here? - Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video)

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How Did I Get Here? I retired in 2021 after a long career as a wine importer and distributor in the U.S., a journey that began in 1996. But how did I get here? To answer that, I will share a few stories, along with articles from newspapers and magazines, for the record. First, I escaped communist Bulgaria in 1985 and arrived in Anchorage, Alaska. Since I had requested political asylum, the U.S. Immigration Service transferred me to Denver, Colorado, for processing. Back then, there was no Immigration Court in Alaska—I wonder if there is one there now. After months of waiting idly for my work permit and green card, I took a job in construction. Eventually, a kind Greek restaurant owner named Georgio, who had named his downtown Denver restaurant after himself, hired me as a busboy. Earning $3.75 an hour made me incredibly happy—not to mention the great food, which included a free meal, plus a few extra dollars in tips. I worked under the table until I finally obtained my work permit. Dur...
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  April 23, 2020   In April 2020, renowned winemaker Miro Tcholakov and his wife, Molly, purchased the BulgarianWine.com website from their friend Vance Petrunoff. Vance plans to retire to Bulgaria, where Miro and Molly intend to visit him frequently—for research and wine-buying, of course. After completing his mandatory military service, Miro attended the Higher Institute of Agriculture in Plovdiv, where he studied viticulture and enology. Upon graduating in 1990, he was selected from hundreds of candidates to participate in an international agriculture exchange program organized by the Future Farmers of America. Initially spending a few months in Napa, he soon secured a harvest internship at Dry Creek Vineyard in Sonoma County. What began as a temporary role evolved into a nine-year tenure, during which he advanced from Cellar Master to Assistant Winemaker in 1997. In 1998, Miro joined Trentadue Winery as Winemaker, a position he still holds today. Alongside crafting world-c...