A Cork in the Road

This episode features our live audience conversation with members of FORTH Club in Atlanta, GA and Nicola Lenci, the co-owner of Fattoria di Magliano, a winery located in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Nicola has been working at the estate since 2010, first in the vineyards and later in the cellar. He became an AIS Sommelier and started traveling, mainly North America, Germany and the UK, as the National Sales Manager of Fattoria di Magliano. Additionally, he currently is the Export Manager of the company and also the assistant winemaker. Nicola brought a flight of 4 of his family's wines to share with us while talking about his family's history, their experience starting a winery business, and their dedication to hospitality in the wine industry. We dive deep into what makes the region so unique, and you'll hear some interesting insights about Italian wine classifications and the estate's specific growing conditions. In 1996, Nicola's father, Agostino Lenci - a fashion professional - turned his passion for wine into a business by investing in a 97-hectare property. At the time, Maremma was not recognized for producing high quality wines, but Lenci endeavored to bring notoriety to this little-known wine-producing region situated a mere 10 miles from the Tyrrhenian coast in southeastern Tuscany. His vision was realized a few years later when Maremma Toscana was granted DOC status by the Italian government. Now at the estate, there is a restaurant serving local cuisine as well as a boutique inn with 30 guest rooms and a swimming pool overlooking the rolling hills. Our audience brought such a great energy of curiosity to this episode, and there was a line that formed behind the mic when we opened it up for the live Q&A at the end of the episode. Recorded May 13, 2025-----------------Our presenting sponsor for May is The Monticello Wine Trail in Virginia. The Monticello Wine Trail proudly announces Monticello Wine Week, an immersive celebration of Virginia's premier wine region, taking place from June 5-8, 2025. With events spanning Charlottesville, Nelson, Orange, and Greene counties, this annual series highlights the exceptional wines, winemakers, and vineyards that define the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). Nestled in the heart of Virginia's wine country, the Monticello Wine Trail is home to more than 40 acclaimed wineries, all within a short drive of Charlottesville, VA. Click ⁠HERE⁠ for info about all Monticello Wine Week events!“Monticello Wine Week is a time to celebrate the remarkable wines being produced in our region and to share the passion and dedication of our winemakers with both locals and visitors,” said Stephen Barnard, President of the Monticello Wine Trail and Winemaker at Keswick Vineyards.

This live audience episode features winemaker Blair Guthrie of Stewart Cellars located in Yountville of Napa Valley in California. We gathered at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with 20 Atlanta wine professionals and friends of the wine industry thanks to Aaron Cooper of @trickingoffainteasy who conspired with Blair to create a memorable weekend showcasing the entire portfolio of Stewart wines around Atlanta. Aaron even surprised all of the guests with a luxury spread of delicious food at the end of the recording thanks to friends at Bovino After Dark, and essentially this turned into a pretty epic evening of wine-ing and dining with incredible people. You'll hear a little bit about Blair's upbringing in New Zealand, playing rugby, basketball, and cricket, while pursuing an interest in graphic design. He says that the skills he developed in those areas do contribute to his skills as a winemaker today with what he describes as an athlete's competitiveness, a creative eye, and an artist's enthusiasm for winemaking. He takes us back to stories from 2009 when we worked as a harvest intern at Paul Hobb's Crossbarn in California, where he met his wife, Caroline Stewart. They now are running Stewart Cellars together, a multi-generational, family-owned and operated winery that has been producing premium-quality wines since its inception in 2000. We talk about their farming practices and philosophies as we taste through the wines with the audience, and we even open it up for a live Q&A at the end of the episode. Thank you to Aaron and Blair for dreaming this up, thank you Taylor at The Vine Club for hosting us, and thanks to everyone who joined us for this pretty epic evening celebrating the wine community in Atlanta. You can visit www.stewartcellars.com to learn more about these wines and follow @stewartcellars and @guthriefamilywines on Instagram.Recorded April 25, 2025-----------------Our presenting sponsor for May is The Monticello Wine Trail in Virginia. The Monticello Wine Trail proudly announces Monticello Wine Week, an immersive celebration of Virginia's premier wine region, taking place from June 5-8, 2025. With events spanning Charlottesville, Nelson, Orange, and Greene counties, this annual series highlights the exceptional wines, winemakers, and vineyards that define the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA). Nestled in the heart of Virginia's wine country, the Monticello Wine Trail is home to more than 40 acclaimed wineries, all within a short drive of Charlottesville, VA. Click HERE for info about all Monticello Wine Week events!“Monticello Wine Week is a time to celebrate the remarkable wines being produced in our region and to share the passion and dedication of our winemakers with both locals and visitors,” said Stephen Barnard, President of the Monticello Wine Trail and Winemaker at Keswick Vineyards.

This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Sam Bilbro, the founder and winemaker for Idlewild WInes in California. Sam grew up hanging out in a winery converted from an old cow barn, walking vineyards, and tasting blends with his dad who founded Marietta Cellars. While ultimary continuing the family legacy, Sam definitely took some detours and explored other industries, but it was while he was working in the restaurant industry that he was exposed to wines from across the globe and was especially struck by the wines of Piedmont in italy. Founded in 2012, Sam's creation, Idlewild Wines, focuses on making wines from Italian varities grown in Califonia by sourcing grapes from old vineyard sites across Sonoma and Mendocino. The wines we tasted during this live audience session were so thoughtful, and the wines offer nuanced deliciousness - which you'll hear is a perfectly acceptaable tasting note. You can follow @idlewildwines on Instagram.Recorded April 16, 2025-------------Our presenting sponsor for April is Vinexpo America 2025, a premier international trade event heading to Miami for the first time ever on May 7-8, 2025 at Miami Beach Convention Center. Vinexpo America has long been the go-to destination for industry leaders—and now, its expansion to Miami will offer new opportunities for producers, importers, distributors, and hospitality professionals across North, Central, and South America. From fine wine tastings and cutting-edge spirits to trend-driven panel discussions and unmatched networking opportunities, Vinexpo America is where the business of wine and spirits thrives.⁠REGISTER HERE⁠ - Use code VAMERICA25 to claim your free badge!With 280+ exhibitors from 25 countries and more than 3,000 visitors from 40 countries, Vinexpo America 2025 will be a vital industry event for anyone looking to expand their network and discover the latest trends.

This episode features a conversation with Kevin OSullivan, the Director of Sales at Prime Wine & Spirits. He has almost 20 years of experience working in the Atlanta wine industry, so we take a walk down memory lane to discuss his "wine origin story" and what led to his passion for wine. He has a wealth of knowledge about being a sales consultant, so we talk about his approach to building relationships at all points within the supply chain. You'll find out what he would be doing for wine if he wasn't working in distrution, and you'll also hear a beautiful analysis of how wine relates to style and fashion. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and Literature, which ultimately contributes to his passion for wine in more ways than one. Keep an ear out for his “Desert Island Champagne” selection that he reveals at the end of the episode, and you'll love the advice that he highlgihts for anyone starting out in the wine industry these days along with his encouragement for everyone to hone their voice in this business. You can follow @kevin_osulli_vin and @primewineandspiritsga on Instagram.Recorded March 23, 2025-------------Our presenting sponsor for April is Vinexpo America 2025, a premier international trade event heading to Miami for the first time ever on May 7-8, 2025 at Miami Beach Convention Center. Vinexpo America has long been the go-to destination for industry leaders—and now, its expansion to Miami will offer new opportunities for producers, importers, distributors, and hospitality professionals across North, Central, and South America. From fine wine tastings and cutting-edge spirits to trend-driven panel discussions and unmatched networking opportunities, Vinexpo America is where the business of wine and spirits thrives.REGISTER HERE - Use code VAMERICA25 to claim your free badge!With 280+ exhibitors from 25 countries and more than 3,000 visitors from 40 countries, Vinexpo America 2025 will be a vital industry event for anyone looking to expand their network and discover the latest trends.

This "bonus" episode was recorded live at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA the Tuesday evening before the annual High Museum Wine Auction. Our friends from WInery Sixteen 600 were in town, and we threw a "Tie Dye Before the High" bottleshare and vinyl party to celebrate a bunch of people who make the Atlanta wine industry community so special. We sat down with Sam Coturri from Winery Sixteen 600, one of the co-hosts of the Wine Makers Podcast; Eric Crane, the Director of Training for Empire Distributors; and Taylor Sublett, the owner of The Vine Club who has offered his club space for our live podcast recordings over the past couple of months. We recorded this show while drinking a magnum of 2019 Sixteen 600 Syrah, and in true wine makers podcast fashion, it will begin with a cold opening and proceed with no editing, so you'll just have to jump right in and join us. We talk about the occasion that brought Sam and his mom and dad to Atlanta this time, and we listen to Eric and Sam debate over what the wines sound like...we also celerbate the fact that this is Taylor's first ever podcast appearance. You can follow @grapeswithaview and @sixteen600 and @chauneuf and @thevineclubatl on Instagram.Recorded LIVE at The Vine Club on March 18, 2025

This episode features a live audience conversation recorded at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Christian Wylie, the Managing Director for Bodega Garzón in Uruguay. Christian is responsible for the entire winery and all aspects of its operations – production, winemaking, viticulture, marketing, sales management, hospitality, and tourism activities. He brings nearly 25 years of wine industry experience along with additional business management skills. Wylie has an impressive track record with family-owned and managed businesses, including senior leadership roles at Carolina Wine Brands in Chile and Establecimiento Juanicó from Uruguay. He holds an agricultural engineering degree with a specialization in fruiticulture and enology from the Catholic University of Chile. He also studied at the University of California at Davis, and completed a post-graduate senior management program at the ESE Business School in Chile. One of Wylie's passions is traveling the globe. Bringing food, wine, and different cultures together is the epitome of his new role at Bodega Garzón as the winery leads the charge for the emerging Uruguayan wine industry. Christian was honored as ‘Wine Executive of the Year' in Wine Enthusiast's 2023 Wine Star Awards. This honor recognizes and celebrates the innovation of the individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the success of the wine and alcohol beverage world. We enjoyed Albariños and Tannats during this recording session, and we hope it sparks your curiosity to learn more about what is happening for wine in Uruguay. You can follow @bodegagarzon on Instagram and visit www.bodegagarzon.com to plan your visit.Recorded February 24, 2025-------------Our presenting sponsor for March is Blenheim Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA. They ship to 40 states, and shipping is free on orders over $100, so you can enjoy Blenheim wines no matter where you are. Use code CORK10 for 10% off your purchase online or in person. Follow @BlenheimVineyards and visit www.blenheimvineyards.com to plan your visit!SHOP WINE & MERCH: https://shop.blenheimvineyards.com/Wines/All-Wines

This episode features a conversation focusing on community connections and craft beer with Jen Price, a beer educator, a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and the author of The Chick's Guide to Beer: 7 Simple Rules for the Beer Novice. Jen grew up in Decatur, GA, and her work is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, education, and meaningful connections through beer. As the co-founder of Craft Women Connect, she has created a space for women and beer professionals to learn, collaborate, and thrive within the industry. In 2020, Jen also launched Crafted for Action, an event and experience curation company that centers diversity, equity, and inclusion in the craft beverage space. This company is built on the pillars of craft, community, and culture, and we talk about some ways that these efforts have sparked conversations that extend beyond beer. Their flagship event, coming up this June in Atlanta, is the first craft beverage conference founded by a BIPOC woman, providing a platform for robust discussions and real solutions to drive progress in the industry. In 2025, they have expanded beyond beer to include all craft beverages including an entire track at this year's conference dedicated to wine. Through Crafted for Action, Jen continues to create impactful experiences that challenge the status quo and open doors for underrepresented voices in craft beverage. Outside of beer, Jen is an AICP-certified urban planner specializing in active living planning, community impact assessments, environmental justice, and stakeholder engagement. Her expertise in community-focused planning fuels her commitment to making beer spaces more welcoming and inclusive. You can visit www.craftedforaction.com for details and tickets to the upcoming conference, and you can follow @craftedforaction on Instagram.2025 Crafted for Action Tickets: https://craftedforaction.tix.page/Recorded February 19. 2025-------------This episode is generously sponsored by Blenheim Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA. They ship to 40 states, and shipping is free on orders over $100, so you can enjoy Blenheim wines no matter where you are. Use code CORK10 for 10% off your purchase online or in person. Follow @BlenheimVineyards and visit www.blenheimvineyards.com to plan your visit!SHOP WINE & MERCH: https://shop.blenheimvineyards.com/Wines/All-Wines------------Friday Uncorked! tickets (March 21, 2025): https://high.org/event/friday-uncorked-2025/

This episode features a conversation with Desiree Harrison-Brown, a wine educator, content creator, and entrepreneur based in Maryland dedicated to making wine approachable, engaging, and fun. She has built a dynamic career that blends education, storytelling, and community-building—proving that there's no single path to becoming a wine professional. As the founder of WINO NOIRE, Desiree has created a platform that not only highlights Black and women-owned wine brands but also makes wine more inclusive and accessible to diverse audiences. She also runs The Wino Shop, an online boutique for modern wine lovers. Beyond entrepreneurship, she's an instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy, helping to bridge the gap between wine education and real-world enjoyment. Her expertise recently earned her recognition on Wine Enthusiast's Future40 list, and she has collaborated with renowned brands such as Wines of Germany, Brown Estate, McBride Sisters, and Piper-Heidsieck. We talk about how she believes that wine is an experience—one that should be explored and enjoyed on your own terms, with a focus on discovery, community, and the simple joy of sharing a great glass. We also discuss her WSET Diploma journey and highlight what she has learned from visiting wine regions around the world. You can follow @winonoire and @thewinoshop on Instagram.Recorded February 16, 2025

This episode features a conversation with Kimber Warren, a wine educator and brand consultant based in Atlanta, GA who is also the founder of a forthcoming glassware company. She is originally from Savannah, GA but spent the past 15 years in New York City before returning to her family in Georgia and calling Atlanta home. She is a global marketer and works with creators, brands, and products to spearhead campaigns and programming that elevate both engagement and impact. Kimber is bringing her background from working in the tech industry and her experience in roles with entertainment giants such as Meta, Spotify, and Viacom now to the wine space. We talk about some of the skills she gained in her previous roles and highlight some of the projects that she was a part of and how she measured their impact and success. It was during her career path that she says she also discovered a passion for wine as it was part of business meetings, travels, and client dinners, so she has since earned several wine cetifications with support from The Roots Fund. To further connect with the Atlanta wine community, she is also a member of the Atlanta chapter of The Hue Society where she is continuing her studies. Keep an ear out for her advice for other fellow entrepreneurs at the end of the episode, You can follow @mrs_sip_somewine on social media platforms, and you can also connect with her on LinkedIn for a behind-the-scenes journey of building her business.Recorded February 14, 2025

This episode features a live audience conversation at The Oenophile Institute in Smyrna, GA with Laurent Noblet, the Director of Sales for USA & Canada for Henri Bourgeois Estates. He is based in Atlanta, GA but manages sales for three French wineries and one estate in New Zealand. In this current role, he researches and assigns distributors in new markets across the U.S. and is responsible for yearly sales plans, goals, and developing new business. Laurent, however, has been working with wine for 30 years and has held various positions in restaurants, retail, as well as wholsale – in the room we laughed that he basically has had all of our jobs at some point in his career. We talk about how the skills he acquired as a sommelier and working in other customer-facing roles have contributed to his skills in his current role, and he shares his insights about the U.S. market along with advice to all of us looking for ways to make an impact on the wine industry going forward. It was also so much fun to have our friends in the room for this tasting and cheese sampling session - we were joined by Jade Palmer from the forthcoming Madeira Park, Ryan Mullins from Winebow Distributors, and Chelsea Young from The Oenophile Institute. You can visit www.famillebourgeois-sancerre.com/en to learn more about these wines and follow @domainehenribourgeois on social media. Recorded LIVE at The Oenophile Institute on December 16, 2024

This episode features a conversation with George Staikos, the Founder and Educator of The Educated Grape, as well as a guest appearance from the 2024 Sommlympics "Star du Spectacle" award recipient, Marvella Castaneda. George serves as the Head of Education for the US Bureau for the Comité Champagne (CIVC), and they recently sponsored one of the Grand Prizes for the 2024 Sommlympics competition in Atlanta, GA, so we talk about what the trip to Champagne will entail for Sommlympian. George is a 35-year veteran of the wine and hospitality industry known for sharing his passion for wine appreciation. His company specializes in interactive education programs, events, and trips as well as sales consulting for 9 small, family-owned luxury wineries. Prior to his current roles, George held national sales positions for Napa and Sonoma wineries including Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Quintessa, and Ramey Wine Cellars. His national hospitality experience also encompasses food and beverage positions, such as sommelier and food and beverage director, from California, Miami, Washington DC, and New York, operating three AAA Five Diamond rated hotels. He serves as the national officer of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, a worldwide food and wine organization, serving as Grand Echanson (Wine Director) where he organizes the annual regional and national Jeunes Sommelier Competition for qualifying sommeliers under 30 years of age. Staikos is a graduate of Florida International University in Miami with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. He is married with three children and three granddaughters and resides in Erwinna, PA, an hour outside of Philadelphia. You can follow @educatedgrape on social media and visit www.theeducatedgrape.com to learn more about George's company, and you can visit www.champagne.fr/en to learn more about the CIVC. Recorded January 8, 2025

This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Thibaut Marquis, the North America Export Manager for Maison Louis Jadot. Thibaut is originally from the Loire Valley in France, but he has lived in several countries, including South Africa, Argentina, and Canada, before living in the United States for the past 15 years. He has been working in various Sales Management positions for US wine importers (Terlato Wines' Burgundy division, Wilson Daniels), and international wineries (Familia Torres, Les Dauphins, Jaillance, David Family). He joined Maison Louis Jadot in 2022 and is now based out of New York City. Passionate about the wine industry as a whole, Thibaut has also completed his WSET Diploma, so he brings a wealth of experience but also knowledge to this role that essentially serves as a bridge between the winery in Burgundy and their importers. We enjoyed some incredibly special wines from their vast portfolio during this recording session, and it was a study and showcase of how these wines are so connected to the vineyards. We opened the mic at the end of the show to our guests from the Atlanta wine community, and we explored so many topics that impact all levels of the wine industry. Recorded LIVE at Vine Club on November 19, 2024 sponosored by Kobrand and Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features an in-person conversation with Xavier Amirault, Owner and Winemaker of Domaine Amirault located in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley. Domaine Amirault's Clos des Quarterons is a 92-acre vineyard and it has been in the Amirault family for six generations. The estate is 100% certified organic by Ecocert and certified biodynamic by Demeter. Xavier was visiting Atlanta for the first time as his wines are new to the state of Georgia thanks to Vineyard Brands and Republic National Distributing Company and Vineyard Brands. The night before we recorded together, we enjoyed a BYOB meal at Canton House on Buford Highway in Atlanta, GA pairing dishes with his wines, and it was so fun to hear his reaction to meeting the Atlanta wine community for the first time. He even had a chance to visit a winery just north of Atlanta during his visit, which he reflects on with such a beautiful realization at the end of the episode. We talk about his methods of farming 58 small plots based on soil diversity, and he also describes how he chooses an aging vessel, whether that is concrete vats, barrels, or amphora, based on soil type and age of the vines. You can visit www.domaineamirault.com/en/domaines/le-clos-des-quarterons and follow @closdesquarterons on Instagram. Recorded LIVE at The Vine Club on November 15, 2024, with generous support from Vineyard Brands and Republic National Distributing Company. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Manager for Mollydooker Wines. Luke is the son of Sarah Marquis, the Owner and Chief Winemaker, and he is responsible for the US market as part of the winery's sales team. He is also the real-life "Blue Eyed Boy", which is one of Mollydooker's successful Shiraz labels. His work involves driving sales and building relationships with their customers all around the world. Established in 2005, the name Mollydooker is Aussie slang for a left-handed person, which Luke says is a very fitting choice given their unique practices, their quirky labels, and essentially a left-handed approach to the wine-making journey. You'll hear how they started this brand with only $17 in their pockets, but now, a portion of their proceeds are directed towards supporting communities both locally and internationally through their ‘Sip It Forward' program. As a female-owned business, Mollydooker's passion for empowering women has also led them to their charity called Mercy Multiplied USA, which mentors and creates a safe place for victims of abuse. You can learn more about the Mollydooker porfolio by visiting www.mollydookerwines.com and you can follow their adventures @mollydookerwines on Instagram. Recorded LIVE at Vine Club on October 28, 2024 with generous support from Mollydooker and Winebow. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Sarah Hughes Bray, a wine educator, writer, and brand consultant who is the 6th generation of an Atlanta-based family and was recently named one of Wine Enthusiast's 2024 Future 40 innovators in wine. After a diverse career journey in publishing and the auction world, including stints at SAVEUR magazine and Sotheby's, she found her calling in the wine industry. Sarah is a co-founder of the women-in-wine organization Bâtonnage Forum and runs the Wine Writers' Symposium based in Napa, CA. Fluent in Italian and French, she served as European Director of VinConnect, building out DtC strategies for wineries, and Brand Ambassador for Vini Franchetti's Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany and Passopisciaro on Mt. Etna. She has completed her diploma with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and she helped build programming and curriculum for The Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley while also serving as a contributor to AFAR, GuildSomm, California Homes, VinePair, and other publications. In her spare time, she leads sales and marketing initiatives for T. Berkley Wines with her husband, winemaker Taylor Berkley Boydstun, a Loire-varietal project based in northern California. You can follow her @sarah.h.bray on Instagram, check out her “Life by the Glass” substack, and visit www.batonnageforum.com or www.winewriterssymposium.org to learn more about her initiatives. Recorded November 1, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Dr. Miray Seward, a researcher and consultant who developed her love for wine while living in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia with more than ten years of experience conducting mixed-methods research and evaluation. Currently, she works as a Research Scientist at an applied research firm where she leads research and evaluation projects focused on supporting youth development, but while completing her doctorate degree in Charlottesville, she spent many weekends visiting local wineries, primarily in the Monticello and Shenandoah Valley AVAs. We talk about how she was drawn to and motivated to learn more about wine because of the warm, open, and welcoming Virginia wine community. She later began her formal entry into wine by joining the Roots Fund, which provided her with a scholarship to pursue her WSET level 1. Since then, she has taken and passed her WSET levels 1 and 2 with distinction, hosted the Oenoverse wine club, served as a curator for the Two Up Wine Down festival, and more! Most recently, Miray joined the leadership team for the Veraison Project, where she serves as the Director of Data and Insights. This role allows her to bring together her expertise and passion for research and wine. Through this role, she aims to help ensure the organization systematically collects meaningful data about its programs and events. Miray is also available to provide consulting support to wine organizations, brands, and companies needing research or coaching support. October is Virginia Wine month, so it was an honor to have her on the show and hear how the Virginia wine industry continues to inspire her wine journey and foster community. You can follow her insights @curlsncorks on Instagram. ------------------------------- Recorded October 23, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features a follow-up conversation with Kieran Robinson of R Five Wines, a winemaker who now splits his time between his tasting room in the suburbs of Philadelphia and the vineyards of Sonoma County. We first spoke with Kieran and his wife, Kristie, back in November of 2020 for episode 8 of season 3 as they were dreaming up their new tasting room in Downingtown, PA. Kieran's story started in the Finger Lakes while attending Ithaca College, and upon returning to his hometown of Downingtown, Kieran had the opportunity to experience the challenges of making wine in a non-traditional wine region - the Philadelphia countryside. Kieran later moved to the Northern Rhone region of France to work for winemaker PIerre Gaillard, which gave Kieran an appreciation for French viticulture and winemaking philosophies. Kieran later moved to Napa Valley to expand his winemaking knowledge at Cakebread Cellars and then at Paul Hobbs Winery and Crossbarn Cellars as an enologist. In 2009, Kieran started his own label - Kieran Robinson Wines - with a focus on Syrah and Viognier. While he was the winemaker at Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Kieran also worked alongside famed winemakers Aaron Pott and Michel Rolland. Interested in a new challenge and a bi-coastal life, Kieran and his wife started R Five Wines in 2018. R Five Wines allowed Kieran to expand his winemaking portfolio to other Rhone varietals, such as Grenache, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Gris, and Mourvèdre, Kieran still makes all his wine in Sonoma but the R Five Wines tasting room is in his hometown near Philadelphia, PA. We talk about how this bicoastal business model is allowing Kieran to bring his love of CA wines to PA. Recorded October 14, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Diane Carpenter of Ross Knoll Vineyard discussing the process of preparing for retirement and producing the final vintage of her Ross Knoll wines. Her transparency and honesty is incredible to hear as she talks about the journey of planting a vineyard, starting a wine label, and ultimately deciding it's time to close that chapter and move into retirement. Diane was born and raised in the United Kingdom and moved to the United States in 1987 to be with her now husband, David. Living in New York City, she had access to some of the country's greatest wine schools and took the opportunity to learn more about the world of wine as an academic. Her first classes were with the American Sommelier Association, followed by the Society of Wine Educators and then she even started to pursue the prestigious WSET Diploma. Eventually, her education led her to the vineyard working harvests in California with winemaker, Paul Hobbs. In 2014, Diane purchased a property in Sebastopol, CA and converted an old paddock to a vineyard of 3,000 vines of Calera, Diane's favorite clone of Pinot Noir. She co-produced Ross Knoll wines with consulting winemaker Justin Seidenfeld since the first vintage in 2019, and now, after four celebrated vintages, you'll hear what decisions and life events have led to the decision to wind down in preparation for retirement. There is a very special wine, however, made in honor of the Atlanta wine community that will be released as part of the fifth and final vintage. You can follow her @yourwinestylist and @rossknollvineyard on Instagram. Recorded September 19, 2024 https://www.dianecarpenter.org/ourwines --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Titus Green, a graduate of the Viriginia Military Institute and a Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier who recently completed his Advanced level candidacy coursework. He is based in Washington DC with experience working in restaurants as a sommelier on the floor and selling high-end wines, but his background also includes decades of upper-level management in hospitatlity as a fine dining wine director and leadership in sales roles to the Vice President level within the world of fine wine. He has also served as an international and local wine judge for Maryland and Virginia, so we talk about his involvement in the annual Virginia Governor's Cup competition and what he thinks is driving excellence in the Viringia wine industry right now. He is currently working on the brand and business development side of the beverage industry not only in wine but also as the business development specialist for Deep Eddy Vodka in Maryland and DC. You'll hear about his love for music and his former football career and how his wine education pursuit overlaps with his love for coaching football these days. You'll also get his go-to tailgate food and wine pairing...! You can follow him @thetitussomm on Instagram. Recorded August 28, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features a conversation with the 2024 Champion of our "Unusual Suspects" Blind Tasting Competition that was hosted by the Oenophile Institute at the beginning of August in Atlanta, GA. This was the second annual session of this competition format where we have two rounds of blind tasting flights – 3 white wines followed by 3 red wines - and then the two highest scores from each round move on to a final round to crown a winner. The wines, however, are all just on the fringe or technically not typically testable in wine certification exams, so the wines can be from basically anywhere in the world. And this year, we had to have a second bonus final round because the top four competitors all scored so evenly on the first wine – but what happened in the "final final" round was truly impressive because our 2024 Champion, Joe Herrig, basically called that wine 100% correctly to walk away with the trophy and cash prize. On this episode, you'll hear from our winner, Joe, as he breaks down his thought process and logic for each of his calls from the competition. Joe was first on this podcast in June of 2022 (Episode 78) and he is still the Director of Education for Georiga Crown Distribution Company. He has since earned his Diploma through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, so he now holds one of the highest honors in the world of wine education. You'll hear how he approached the process of identifying these wines and how he connects his palate skills to his theory knowledge. You can follow him @suburbanwino on Instagram. Recorded August 25, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

Episode 134 not only features the first repeat guest for an episode of the show, but also, we very likely make podcast history for the number of wine bottles that were opened during a recording with our live audience in Atlanta. Sam Coturri of Winery Sixteen 600 in Sonoma, CA joined an incredible group of Atlanta wine, food, and media professionals to lead a wine tasting and open it up to an audience Q&A session at the end of the episode. Sam first joined as a guest on the show for Episode 7 of Season 5 – recorded in November 2021 – and it was the first unedited podcast in honor of the style of his own podcast, The Wine Makers Podcast. Sam is such a great friend, and he was visiting Atlanta this summer representing his Sixteen 600 wines that are now available in Georgia thanks to Empire Distributors. They were in town to host an innovative wine dinner in honor of Jerry Garcia's birthday with a Grateful Dead themed menu and music pairings. You can follow @grapeswithaview and @sixteen600 on Instagram to learn more about Sam and his wines, and you can listen to @winemakerspod wherever you listen to your podcasts. ----- Recorded LIVE at The Vine Club in Atlanta on July 30. 2024 - thanks, Taylor! @thevineclubatl --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Shauna Rosenblum who joined Ridge Vineyards in 2022 as their Lytton Springs Winemaker. She oversees all winemaking at the Lytton Springs facility in Healdsburg, CA, and she brings a lifetime of winemaking experience with her to Ridge. Her father, Kent Rosenblum, of Rosenblum Cellars, introduced his winemaking passion to Shauna at an early age. Kent taught her to read brix on a refractometer at the age of three, she started working on the bottling line at the age of twelve, and by the age of sixteen, she attended blending sessions with the winemaking team. Always enamored with fine art, Shauna received a scholarship to California College of Arts and Crafts, then pursued her Master's Degree at San Francisco Art Institute. During her ceramics studies, she took chemistry classes where she noticed that the process for creating glaze compositions was the exact same process as blending wine. This led her to the epiphany that winemaking was art. She completed the UC Davis Master's Wine Executive Program and in 2008, Rosenblum joined Rock Wall Wine Company as Winemaker. Her lifelong wine training coupled with her philosophy of winemaking as fine art led her to seek out treasured old-vine field blend sites and esoteric varieties like tannat, teroldego and ciliegiolo. She directed a portfolio of over fifty grape contracts around California and oversaw all aspects of production on every lot of wine from crush to bottling. During her 14-year tenure at Rock Wall Wine Company, she rose to the rank of President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors. We talk about what it's been like to like to step into her role as part of the Ridge legacy since 2022, and we open a very special bottle on air together that she sent to Atlanta that hadn't been released yet representing her first vintage in this lead role. You can visit www.ridgewine.com to leard more about Ridge and Shauna's work, and you can follow @ridgevineyards on Instagram. Recorded July 22, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features winemaker and viticulturist, Mark Neal, the Founder and Owner of Neal Family Vineyards. Growing up in Napa Valley's Rutherford region as the son of a farmer, Mark was learning about viticulture from a very young age - he says farming is the only job he's ever had. It was Mark's maternal grandmother whom he credits with instilling the family with their early adoption of biodynamics. A native of Crete, she was critical of any other way of farming than the ancient, organic, lunar-based model she absorbed growing up. Mark is now best known as one of the first grape growers to practice and farm biodynamically in Napa. In 1968, Mark entered his father's business, Jack Neal and Son (JNS) Vineyard Management and the duo helped establish some of the most storied estates in Napa Valley, including continuous vineyard management with Heitz, Martha's Vineyard. During the 1960's and 1970's, demand started to grow for his expertise in developing everything from orchards to vineyards, especially after Napa won the French Tasting in 1976. He went on to conduct ground preparation on vineyards such as BV, Beckstoffer, Cuvaison, Duckhorn Schramsburg, Screaming Eagle, Three Palms, Coppola, Dominus Estates, Ink Grade Vineyards, Vine Hill Ranch. Starting in the mid-1990s, he spent years consulting for Gallo Vineyards, building and prepping the company's vineyard estates throughout California. Today, Mark still runs JNS in addition to Neal Family Vineyards. Of the 40 or so vineyard management companies in Napa, JNS is the second oldest, and Mark proudly still has clients on handshake contracts from the 1970s that were secured by his father. In 1997, Mark developed a dual varietal trellis system to combat a palpably warming Napa Valley and plant white grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino (as well as other experimental varieties) in his Rutherford Dust vineyard. His innovation doubled up production on the same acre without sacrificing quality, without using any additional water, and without expending any additional carbon footprint. you'll hear about the various benefits of all his practices. He highly values and respects the role of his people in all aspects of cultivating a vineyard as well as maintains a priority to fight against climate change on a global scale. Get ready for a Napa Valley history lesson and learn about aspects of grape farming that you may have never heard of before. You can follow @nealvineyards on instagram and visit www.nealvineyards.com to learn more about his estate wines. Recorded July 9, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠⁠⁠ - available for shipping to 11 states --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Randy Bennett, the Winemaker and General Manager at Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma, California. We recorded this conversation in front of a live audience of wine professionals and enthusiasts while Randy was visiting Atlanta, so you'll also hear a few wine pours as guests were tasting Sojourn wines throughout the show. Randy started as Sojourn's Assistant Winemaker in 2008, but he is now responsible for making all the Sojourn wines and overseeing cellar operations and vineyard management activities. He works closely with their growers and cellar crew while also running the day-to-day operations of the winery's production, marketing, and business operations. We talk about his career before entering the wine business as he holds a degree in Business Information Systems from Cal Poly and worked for 13 years at Accenture leading large-scale business transformation projects for major financial services firms. He describes how that experience prepared him to pursue his passion for wine and to overcome challenges each vintage. At the end of the show, we made a little bit of podcast history because guests in the audience came up to the mic to ask Randy questions as well, so for the first time, we have some live Q&A action from fellow atlanta wine professionals. You can see some photos of the live recording event posted on @acorkintheroad on Instagram, and make sure you give us a rating or review wherever you are listening to the podcast today. You can follow @sojourn_cellars for more info on the wines and planning your vists. ------------- This whole experience was sponsored by Tower Beer Wine and Spirits, a family owned business for 76 years, who continue to elevate the Atlanta wine scene creating access to craft beverages, and all of Sojourn wines we taste on this episode are available for purchase at the Piedmont location in Atlanta (@toweratl) www.towerwinespirits.com/buckhead --------------- Recorded June 2, 2024 with a LIVE audience at Vine Club in Atlanta, GA. You can follow @thevineclubatl and visit www.thevineclub.wine for more info on their wine-driven social club memberships and events. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Alice Tétienne, the Cellar Master and Vineyard Director at Maison Henriot, and as of October 2023, she was also appointed to be the Deputy General Manager. You'll hear her passion for viticulture, aiming to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the vineyards. She grew up in Champagne. so she has a deep connection to the region, but she has since earned a BTS in Viticulture and Enology, a Bachelor's degree in Vine Science, and a Master's in Vine and Terroir. We talk about how she has collaborated with various wine estates and research centers, thus developing expertise in both practical and scientific aspects of wine production. Her background in communication helps to promote and enhance the image of Champagne, and she has also obtained the National Diploma of Oenologist, where she is distinguished with the award for oenological innovation and a prize for her thesis. In 2014, Alice joined the Centre Vinicole Nicolas Feuillatte, then moved to Maison Krug in 2015 as the Head Winemaker responsible for vineyard relations and a member of the tasting committee. She shares how this comprehensive expertise in the production of Champagne wines has helped her appreciate the impact of raw materials and the art of blending. This conversation highlights the collective mindset approach in Champagne for how to communicate about their practices and tap into consumer knowledge in the global market. Keep an ear out for her take on Champagne food pairings and don't be surprised if you are inspired to book a trip to France after this conversation Recorded June 3, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠⁠⁠ - available for shipping to 11 states ------------------------------------------- VINEXPO AMERICA DISCOUNT: Use code CVINEXPO20 for a 20% discount on tickets when you register for Vinexpo America, the premier wine and spirit trade event, coming to New York City on June 24-25, 2024. REGISTER HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Sommelier and Wine Director, Steven Grubbs, who currently manages four wine programs in Georgia. His longest role is with Five and Ten in Athens, where he got his start in the industry, to the newest now being Commune, a listening room and wine bar in Avondale estates which conveniently combines his love for wine and music as he is also a musician. You'll hear about his approach to this wine list, which is a little different than programs he has designed in the past for several reasons, and you'll also hear a bit about his previous experience opening Empire State South here in Atlanta, which was a hub of the wine community for many years. He talks about how ESS served as an incubator of sorts for so many talented people who continued on to have successful careers in food and beverage. Steven has a wealth of knowledge about the evolultion of the wine industry here in the Southeast, and he shares some interesting perspectives on the changes in Georgia's supply chain over the years. We also analyze how he continues to find joy in multiple passions, from wine to music to making furniture, and he also offers some insight for how to navigate the current wine market. You can find him @risingtidesdrinkingservices on Instagram to learn more about his work, and you can check out @commune_atl for his newest wine program. Recorded May 21, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠⁠⁠ - available for shipping to 11 states --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features winemaker Rajat Parr, a sommelier turned farmer, published author, and mentor to many. He speaks of people, places, and wines with such a wealth of knowledge, and he is one of those people who is making an impact far beyond what he himself may even know.. His focus these days is his property in Cambria, on California's Central Coast, taking care of the vineyards of Phelan Farm. He talks about how this is unlike any project he's been involved with in the past because it is not a just a project, it's his life, his home. He is using farming practices specifically dedicated to soil health, and you'll hear about his dedication to these efforts. Speaking about these wines puts Atlanta and the Southeast market frequently on his travel map – as well as his appreciation for the Atlanta restaurant scene. We talk about his role as a mentor in this industry and why it continues to be a priority in his life. He accepted the Hue Soceity's "Winemaker of the Year" award at the Wine and Culture Fest in Atlanta in 2023. You can learn more about his work at www.phelanfarm.com and you can follow @rajatparr on Instagram. Recorded April 21, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Ashley Buzzy, the artist, printmaker, sommelier, and businesswoman behind Press Shop in Atlanta, Georgia. Press Shop is a thoughtfully-curated gift shop in Summerhill with a strong local and online presence and an emphasis on letterpress stationery, low intervention wines, and impactful books. She talks about how her focus is on connecting the maker with the buyer in a way that feels genuine, nonobligatory, and meaningful. Her goal is to create a unique space where all types of people feel welcome, inspired, and excited to shop - while also educating consumers on products and spending choices that positively impact themselves and their communities. This is a “no crap” space; a shop where every product has meaning and was chosen, not just to fill space on a shelf, but to serve a purpose and to tell a story. We talk about her curiosity for the world of wine and how traveling to the places to meet with the winemakers connects her to family's influence of teaching her the beauty of gardening at a very young age. We also get a few little exclusive teasers of things ahead for her business, and you'll also hear some of her advice for other aspiring business owners navigating how to balance multiple priorities and interests. You can visit www.pressshopatl.com to learn more about the business and follow @press.shop on Instagram. Recorded April 15, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠⁠⁠ - available for shipping to 11 states --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features a live audience conversation with Dan Kosta, the President and Founder of DK Wine Group including Convene, Admire, and Grail wines. Dan grew up in Sonoma County, and he has over 20 years of experience in the wine industry. Dan's career in the restaurant industry ultimately led him to wine production, but he worked as a back waiter, a waiter, bartender, operations manager, and finally wine director prior to founding a winery. In 1997, he started Kosta Browne winery with his business partner, Michael Browne, and they worked together to grow that project through direct-to-consumer sales and a nationwide distribution network. We talk about his experiences starting a winery from scratch, learning from his mistakes, and building his team along the way. They have since sold that first project, but it has led to opening the doors to this new effort of creating 3 synergist labels with DK Wine Group. We discuss the business and marketing side of his experiences, and he mentions how he is leveraging his network for giving back to community through Convene and his volunteer work. Thank you to Empire Distributors for making this possible, and I hope you can feel a little bit of the energy that was part of this tasting and conversation here in Atlanta. You can learn more about Dan's work at www.dk-convene.com and by following @convenebydankosta on Instagram. ------------------ Recorded with a live audience in Atlanta, GA on March 22, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Nicole Alvarez, the head Sommelier and Beverage Director at The Alden in Chamblee, GA. She has been working in restaurants since she was 16, but she also recently graduated with her college degree in Political Science last December. Her current focus is to expand the wine list at The Alden to meet the variety and range of the culinary program. Her role includes everything from buying, tasting, staff training, wine list inventory and maintenance, and wine pairings. We talk about her approach to designing wine pairings, her relationships with her wine reps, and how her family and her community continuously inspire her to chase after all her goals and dreams. She will also leave you with some insight on finding ways to relieve some of the stress of working in the service industry, and we may inspire you to drink more Champagne and Nebbiolo going into the spring season. When she is not hitting the wine grind, she says she is an avid gamer, a runner, and a crafter. You can visit www.thealdenrestaurant.com to make a reservation to check out Nicole's wine list and tasting menu pairings, and you can find @the_alden_atl on Instagram. Recorded March 16, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠⁠ - available for shipping to 11 states --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Adam Venable, a Sales Consultant for Winebow based in Atlanta, GA. His family is from Columbus, GA, and he got into wine through working in restaurants (Houston's, Two Urban Licks, Empire State South, The Spence) starting around 18 years old, with help from his father who had an interest and small collection of wines. We discuss the value of sales incentives while working in these types of roles, and you'll hear about several trips that he's been able to take based on his sales success in both restaurants and now in distribution. He mentions that visiting wineries for the first time and even working a harvest out in Napa Valley in 2011 only made him want to learn more about the industry - the realization that it involves a lot of hard work definitely didn't scare him away from pursuing this career in wine. This is the first podcast episode, though, where there is a major *plot twist* because throughout the whole time that Adam has been developing his passion for wine, he's also been writing and releasing his own music and touring across the country and working with some pretty high profile mentors, like Chuck D from Public Enemy. He even got to perform at Red Rocks in Colorado opening for Wu-Tang Clan and Big Boi from OutKast the same week he was onboarded at Winebow. He says that his goals for the future are to continue to merge his loves of wine and music, and he may even be performing in Seattle at a national Winebow event later in the summer of 2024. We make some serious podcast history with a live performance of his song about Barolo at the end of the episode. You can follow @mcobeah on Instagram to follow his wine and music adventures. Recorded February 24, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Norie Chinea, the Southeast Regional Manager for Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Norie is considered a specialist in the Champagne category, but she has more than 15 years of marketing and sales experience in the wine & spirits industry. Originally from Puerto Rico, her passion for wine has led her to earn certifications from the International Wine Guild and the Court of Master Sommeliers. In pursuing her real-world experience for French wines, she worked with winemakers at various wineries she represented in Alsace, Nantes, Montpellier, Bordeaux and most recently in Reims, where she had the opportunity to work with some of the top Champagne producers of our time. Now, as a Regional Manager for "LP", Norie is responsible for growing the brand's business in her territory. She manages all commercial sales activities including customer and distributor relationships, marketing program execution and local brand activations. You can follow her adventures at @noriechinea on Instagram, and you can also follow @champagnelaurentperrier. Recorded January 24, 2024 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠ - available for shipping to your door in 11 states --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Braxton Parr, the Supervising Video Producer at Wine Enthusiast. He manages the Wine Enthusiast video department and leads digital media strategy, so he plays a key role in filming, editing, and directing content that is published across Wine Enthusiast platforms. We talk about how his wine education has impacted his ability to generate content ideas, and we also talk about his creative process and what inspires him these days in the world of wine-related video production. Hailing from the greater area of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Parr grew up influenced by video and music production throughout his entire life. He has produced content for companies including Nike, Fiverr, TV One, and more. Prior to Wine Enthusiast, he held an esteemed role in directing political content for The White House and government officials. His primary career goal is to upligft and inspire others to pursue their dreams with whatever creative medium they see fit. Outside of his video production passion, Parr is a huge foodie with a love for tasting wine and creating cocktail recipes. You can follow @wineenthusast to see his featured work, and you can connect with him @braxtonzparr to see the content he is creating for his personal brand. Recorded January 25, 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE⁠⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Jane Lopes, an accomplished wine professional who was born in Napa, California and graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Renaissance literature and a love for food, wine, and spirits. After college, Jane began to pick up shifts at nationally acclaimed cocktail bar, The Violet Hour, and in August of 2011, Jane moved to Nashville to be the opening beverage director at The Catbird Seat. In 2013, Jane worked as a sommelier at Eleven Madison Park in NY, where she was part of the team that got the restaurant to number one on the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best List. In 2017, she was recruited to run the beverage program at Attica, widely considered Australia's best restaurant. In September of 2018, Jane passed the prestigious Master Sommelier exam, becoming the only woman in Australia to do so. Her first book, an educational and personal guide to the world of wine, was published in September of 2019. In 2020, Jane returned to the United States to start her own wine imports company with her husband, Jonathan Ross. Their newest book, How To Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book, offers insights on all aspects of Australian wine, including inside scoops, pressing concerns and current events in each region. We talk about why she feels so passionate about these wines, and she shares what excites her about being in the wine industry right now. You can follow @janeymaxine and @auswinelegends on Instagram, and you can visit www.janelopes.com to learn more about her work and www.legendaustraliacom to learn more about her import portfolio. Recorded December 18, 2023 ⁠⁠⁠TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE⁠⁠ ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠⁠ https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Dannielle Thomas, a wine sales and events professional and a WSET L3 candidate currently working at Dom Beijos wine shop in Atlanta, GA. Prior to wine, for over a decade, Danielle was working in the human rights and humanitarian sector with a focus on women's health, social and political power, and child advocacy, so we talk about how her wine journey now intertwines and overlaps with these types of interests. Dannielle discovered her love of wine while living abroad as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa, where she learned to speak Portuguese and Kriolu. Dannielle eventually spent years traveling through West and East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe working with national and grassroots organizations and leaders. One of her main goals is to support people in wine education through accessible language and learning environments, so her work in wine typically highlights the connection between people, the land, their stories, and that's exactly the energy she brings to the wine shop but also to her wine and charcuterie company that adds the perfect amount of flair to client events and gatherings. She is also the secretary of the Hue Society's Atlanta chapter and a Roots Fund Scholar, so you'll hear about her own personal wine education goals in this episode as well. Hopefully we inspire you to explore a few more Portuguese wines with our mutual enthusiasm for that country and its wine culture. In her non-wine working hours, she is the COO for a Liberatory research and evaluation firm specializing in supporting local and national organizations to utilize data and narrative to move the needle on social justice issues, organizational change, and equity. She is also the co-founder of MAMA Fund, one of the largest mutual aid networks in the US Southeast, and sits on multiple nonprofit boards that center well-being and community care. Dannielle loves spending time in Portugal and Spain and has curated trips and events for donors for various causes, including creating and managing a Global Gender Justice conference that allowed her to create her first bespoke wine trips for advocates and funders throughout Costantia and Stellenbosch, South Africa. While her life is filled with wine, food, travel, and community-building, her grounding is in her advocacy, love of sci-fi books and film, and with her family especially her curious and bright 5-year-old child. You can follow @dazzlingdestinia and @giw_getintowine for her insights on Instagram. Recorded December 3, 2023 ⁠⁠TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE⁠ ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠ https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠ - now shipping to 11 states! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Francis Coligado, the Beverage Director for Nooshe Jan Group which currently consists of both locations of Del Bar and Bibi. Francis has worked in the service industry for close to 17 years and bartended for 15 of those years while obtaining a business degree from GCSU and a law degree from Florida Coastal Law School in Jacksonville, FL. He worked at Rumi's Kitchen when he moved to Atlanta, and that is where he met Fares, the owner/CEO of Nooshe Jan Group. After leaving Rumi's in 2018, he worked at Cooks & Soldiers before joining the team to open Del Bar in 2020. We talk about the aspects of management that he really enjoys and how he is continuously learning new skills every day while also fostering creativity among his team and prioritizing not only physical health but also mental wellbeing. They recently received recognition in Atlanta's first Michelin Guide, so we explore how this might impact the beverage program scene here in Atlanta going forward. And while known widely and nationally recognized for their cocktail program, I have always been impressed by their wine list, so it was fun to talk with Francis about his process for designing a menu that complements and highlights their Persian dishes and such a wide variety of herbs and spices. We speak a similar language when it comes to flavors, textures, and the concept of balance. A cocktail specialist's palate is trained to notice nuances in similar ways to those of us who study wine, so I loved hearing Francis tell me how be approaches making cocktail recommendations to someone who typically drinks wine. You can follow @delbaratl and @foligado23 on social media to learn more about his work. -------------- Recorded November 27, 2023 ⁠TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features an in-person conversation with winemaker Pepe Raventós recorded live in Atlanta, GA. He is the 21st generation of the family to work the same land since 1497 in Spain, and Pepe is passionate about the world of wine and viticulture. Raventós i Blanc, his family's winery, was actually the very first appointment I booked for my itinerary when I visited Spain in September - I wanted to better understand Spanish sparkling wine, and Pepe's family offers a point of reference known around the world. We start by discussing his family's history, but it leads us into a discussion about his experiences being part of the family business for the past 20 years and how he is envisioning an innovative future as well as pursuing his newest project that has a clear respect for sustainability, organic agriculture, the recovery of abandoned vineyards, and the protection of biodiversity called Can Sumoi. Thank you to Steeven Meir of Bon Vin Selections for bringing these wines to Atlanta and for making this interview possible. You can follow @cansumoi and @raventosiblanc on Instagram to learn more about Pepe's wines and winemaking practices. Recorded October 22, 2023 (transcript coming soon) ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard:⁠ https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines⁠. Check out the 2023 ⁠Holiday Offering⁠ - now shipping to 11 states! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Eric S. Crane, the Director of Training for Empire Distributors, Inc. He's been active in booze education for the last 20 years, and he says he fills his days learning and talking about fermented and distilled things. You'll hear great ideas and a lot of wise advice as we discuss a wide variety of topics ranging from the current scope of wine education to his favorite concert and wine pairings. In his spare time he writes fan fiction about his dogs, watches stupid movies, cuts his own hair, and listens to music. And he drinks a lot of Riesling because he says he's basic like that. You can follow him @chauneuf on social media. Recorded October 18, 2023 ⁠TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines. Check out the 2023 Holiday Offering - now shipping to 11 states! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Lindsey Fragalle, a wine consultant and retail sales specialist who has worked in the wine industry for almost seven years. She started her wine journey while living for a brief time in California where she worked at two wineries in the Bay Area. Since moving back to Atlanta in early 2019, she has worked at a small, local wine shop in Brookhaven, GA called Brookhaven Wines. In this role, she helps all types of consumers pick out wines, she teaches educational classes, and she leads private tastings on and off-site. You'll hear why Lindsey loves bringing people together through wine and why she focuses on making wine more approachable to everyone, no matter their skill level or budget-- she truly believes everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy good wine. We geek out about her recent work trip to Germany, and we talk about how her time living in California has impacted her ability to speak about wines in the shop. We also recap a recent trip to Burgundy where she visited a former podcast guest's cellars in the heart of Beaune. You can follow @sommbody_to_love and @brookhavenwines on Instagram to learn more about her adventures and the upcoming events at the shop. -------------- Recorded October 8, 2023 TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Steffini Bethea, owner of Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop and Tasting Room located in Avondale Estates. Steffini is a wife and mother of two who back 2012 saw a need for a shop that sold carefully chosen, high quality wines within Atlanta. In addition to her WSET wine certification, she also holds a degree in Biology from the University of Houston which has served as a backbone to her studies in viticulture. Her most important role at Purple Corkscrew is that of Chief Curator of wines serving as the purveyor of small, boutique, award-winning wines. Her expertise has attracted winemakers from all corners of the globe to visit the shop, and Steffini is also well-traveled for wine both domestically and internationally. Alongside other wine aficionados, she has explored regions such as Rhone Valley, various regions in Spain, Walla Walla Valley in Washington, and small vineyards in Oregon. She has also volunteered at harvest in efforts to expand her knowledge of the winemaking process. She believes it is key to know where the grapes come from and how they are pressed and fermented to make the magic that she sells in every bottle. You can follow @purplecorkscrewwine on social media and check out www.purplsecorkscrew.com for all information about their tastings and events. Recorded September 19, 2023 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Jordan Smelt, the wine director and co-owner of Lucian Books & Wine in Buckhead, Atlanta. Originally from Tampa, Jordan has called Atlanta home for over two decades and during that time has worked at some of the best restaurants in the city, including Cakes & Ale, Holeman & Finch, and Restaurant Eugene. He also served as the General Manager of Rive Gauche Wine Co., a wine distribution company that launched in 2019. Jordan operates Lucian with his wife Katie Barringer, and they live in Buckhead with their three pets, Maxwell, Phoebe, and Ms. P. He talks about how the concept came to be and what inspired them to combine these two passions. He also speaks to how he felt those first couple days of opening as well as what excites him about the future of the Atlanta wine industry. We discuss his process for building the Lucian wine list that releases every two months, and it sounds like the November/December list is going to be extra special this year. You can follow @lucianbooksandwine on social media and sign up for their newsletter or book a reservation by visiting www.lucianbooksandwine.com. Recorded August 21, 2023 ------------------------------------------- TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Hailey Culmone, a Certified Sommelier in Atlanta, GA who works in wine distribution and hosts private tasting events. She grew up working in restaurants, but it wasn't until a 6-month trip abroad between undergraduate and graduate school working on a coffee farm led her to fall deeper in love with wine. We talk about how she started to notice the nuances of both coffee and wine, the similarities, and the importance of place. Upon her return to Atlanta, she worked at East Pole Coffee Co. and simultaneously returned to Cooks & Soldiers to continue her wine education. She began hosting wine classes at her home and later started a business designing in-home tastings and wine events for private clients. We talk about the experience of recently taking the Certified Sommelier Exam, how she designs her in-home classes to make learning about wine accessible to anyone, and her passion for equipping people with the knowledge to navigate the vast world of wine. You can follow her @somm.where on Instagram and learn more about her classes by visiting www.haileyculmone.com. Recorded August 18, 2023 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Anthony Panzica, the Beverage Director of The Porchetta Group based in Atlanta, GA. He overseas the beverage programs at all of the restaurants that are part of this Italian-focused restaurant group rooted in values of community, culture, and family. We talk about his early experiences with food in his family, his approach to wine pairings, and his fascination with Vermouth. We also reminisce about some of the recent collaborations we've done together that have been rooted in uplifting our fellow restaurant and hospitality industry professionals. He also has a deep passion for holistic health practices, working out, and helping people heal from issues they have suffered from chronically. Balancing food and wine with a healthy lifestyle is one of his priorities, so keep an ear out for some of his guiding principles near the end of the show. On his time away from the restaurants, he gives his wife and kids as much time as he can. His energy for always striving to learn more about something or learn something new is infectious. You can follow him @thatmanant as well as find his work featured at the restaurant group's social media: @whitebullatl, @porchettagroup, @alicioysterbar, @granaatl, and @bastoneatl. Recorded August 8, 2023 ------------------------------------- TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Laura Brown Unterstein, a passionate wine professional combining the expertise of her years as an American Sign Language Interpreter with her verve for the wine world. She is currently the national sales manager for Maysara Winery, as well as the cofounder of Uncorked Access, an organization making the wine industry more accessible to the d/Deaf community. She has been recognized for her work in the industry by Wine Enthusiast as a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, on the 2023 Imbibe 75 list, and holds her WSET Level 3 Award in wines. We talk about life in Nashville, we dive deep into her love of Oregon wines, and we explore ways in which the wine community can become more accessible and inclusive. Laura lives in Nashville with her husband, and is a devoted dog mom to their two pups, with a human baby girl on the way this fall. You can follow her @wine.language.interpreter on Instagram and learn more about ASL wine education, advocacy, and access by following @uncorked_access. Recorded July 14, 2023 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Kelly of A Cork in the Road as a guest on The Wine Makers Podcast with Brian Casey, Sam Coturri, Bart Hansen, and host John Myers recorded live at the Sixteen 600 tasting house in Sonoma County in February 2023. We (Kelly and Ryan) have been big fans of their show and their wines for awhile, so being on their show was an honor. It was an incredible opportunity to sit down and talk about everything from early days working in Virginia wine country to college studies at Michigan State, and we even somehow ended up talking about discus. Of course there's also a lot of love for the Atlanta wine community and some shout outs, so we hope you enjoy tuning in and make sure to follow The Wine Makers Podcast if you don't already because these guys will always make you feel connected to what's happening in Sonoma wine no matter where you are in the world. Thank you @winemakerspod @grapeswithaview @dane_cellars @sonomawinelover @myerssonoma and @sixteen600 - looking forward to cheersing together again sometime soon! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode is a “first” in the podcast's history because we had not one, not two, but six microphones set up for this live recording in Atlanta, GA. It is also our first roundtable discussion format for the show. We sat down with 5 Italian wine producers that were visiting Atlanta as part of a tour with The Sorting Table, an importer who distributes their producers' wines to wholesalers throughout the United States. The following participants will briefly introduce themselves at the beginning of the episode: Collazzi - Arianna Folli - Sales Export Manager Tiberio - Cristiana Tiberio – Winemaker/Proprietor Sassetti Pertimali - Christina Rossi - Sales Manager Le Monde – Massimo Furlan – Export Director Agricola Gian Piero Marrone – Marco Bertone – Sales Manager We popped a bottle of Champagne and talked about their work in their respective regions but also discussed what they enjoy about visiting the United States, what common goals they share right now, and how they are each navigating the balance of honoring tradition while also keeping a watchful eye on the future with a modern perspective. Recorded June 12, 2023 LIVE at Prime Wine & Spirits of Georgia ------------------------------- This episode was made possible thanks to generous support from Kevin OSullivan of Prime Wine & Spirits of Georgia and Lisa Stewart of The Sorting Table. TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Sommelier Jason Wilfore, the recent champion of our "Unusual Suspects" Blind Tasting Competition here in Atlanta, GA. He was born and raised in Schenectady, NY and got his start working in the restaurant business as a server and singer at Romano's Macaroni Grill. He later worked at Provence in Guilderland, NY which focused more on traditional French and Mediterranean cuisine that also sparked his interested in wine and beverage followed by working at Grappa '72, another local upscale family-owned restaurant that focused on Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. He moved to Atlanta in 2016 and started working at South City Kitchen in Vinings as a server and bartender. He says that as his curiosity for beverage grew, his beverage manager suggested looking into the Introductory and Certified Courses and Exams with the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Certified Specialist of Wine certification with the Society of Wine Educators. He passed both the CSW and Certified exams in 2019, and he transferred to Ecco in Midtown where he was able to merge his French/Italian/Mediterranean experiences and start building some knowledge in Spanish cuisine and beverage. After eventually getting promoted to Beverage Manager, he started learning the business/logistical aspects of a beverage program. We talk about his move to Marcel, which meant a shift from a management position to be able to work at a fine dining restaurant with an extensive wine program and continue his development while working with and learning from the sommelier. Currently, Jason is working as a sommelier at Mujo, and we talk about the unique setting in which he is now applying his wine knowledge and creativity. The second half of the episode is devoted to debriefing about the blind tasting competition - Jason walks us through his thought process and strategy for each of his calls, and the dialogue is both entertaining and educational. You can follow @wilforejay on Instagram and find him on Twitch at SommJay. Recorded June 9, 2023 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features our live audience in-person recording with winemaker Filipa Pato from Portugal. Thanks to Bon Vin Selections, we set up this recording at Dom Beijos in Kirkwood, a wine shop that specializes in showcasing Portuguese wines in the heart of Atlanta. Her passion for the indigenous grape varieties of the Bairrada appellation of Portugal is what led her to start her own project in 2001. She works with a total of 12 hectares of vineyards utilizing biodynamic farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. Alongside her husband, she says they produce "vinhos autênticos sem maquilagem" – Authentic Wines Without Makeup. We opened some sparkling wine, said cheers to the crowd, and then talked about this focus on and passion for indigenous Portuguese varieties. One in particular, the Baga grape, has become the cornerstone of her work in the region, and we talk about how she adjusts her farming and her approach to winemaking that allows for these grapes with strong Portuguese identity to truly shine. We also have a surprise mic visit from her husband, Belgian sommelier and restaurateur William Wouters, who was the former head chef for the Belgian national Soccer team during the World Cup in Brazil. He shares some insight on what it's like to visit them in Portugal and how he approaches wine pairing in the kitchen with these native grape varieties. Their collaboration and teamwork is inspiring, and they bring such a joy to exploring the world of wine during their travels. Filipa has a background as a Chemical engineer, but she then refined her winemaker skills doing harvests in Bordeaux, Mendoza, Argentina, and Australia as well as learning alongside her father, Luis Pato, who made his first wine in 1980 showcasing pure Baga with exceptional quality and catching the attention and intrigue from the broader wine industry. Together, Filipa and William share all their experiences: the love for food and wine, encounters with great wine growers, sommeliers and wine lovers from all over the world, and the magical, inexhaustible culture of the world of wine. Today, Ois do Bairro is the center of their wine universe. You can follow @filipa_pato on Instagram learn more about their wines by visiting www.patowouters.com. Recorded June 1, 2023 LIVE at Dom Beijos ------------------------------- This episode was made possible by Bon Vin Selections and former podcast guest, Steven Meir, along with generous support from Melissa and Justin of Dom Beijos who provided the perfect recording space for this live audience event. TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Jill Davis, the Hospitality & Events Manager for DuMOL Winery where she brings the DuMOL story to life for guests at the winery and on the road. Jill grew up outside of Atlanta and went to college at Georgia Tech, and now her unmatched enthusiasm for and knowledge of wine allow her to engage with novices and experts alike. Prior to joining DuMOL, Jill spent several years leading beverage programs for restaurants and hotels, predominantly with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, as well as several harvests working in the cellar at Failla Wines in California. As a lifelong learner, she recently sat for the Master Sommelier Theory exam and continues to deepen her understanding of the winemaking process. In 2021, Jill also produced the first vintage of her personal label, Cordelette Wine. When she isn't at the winery, you can find her trail running, mountain biking, or rock climbing with her dog Paddy in the hills of Sonoma County. Check out www.DuMOL.com to learn more about their wines and appointment options, and you can follow @jillkd on Instagram. Recorded May 17, 2023 ------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode features Meaghan Odum, the creator of @trillwinewife on Instagram and one of the most recent Elevate Award recipients from Wine Unify. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Meaghan currently lives in Mississippi, so we chat about the wine scene and how she is using social media as a tool these days to show up as her authentic self and showcase her own unique perspective while learning and speaking about wine. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine candidate with a Masters in Healthcare Administration while also holding several certifications from WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is currently working with several wine companies and top wine events to assist with marketing, media, and virtual and in-person tasting events. We debrief about her most recent adventure to the Finger Lakes to attend Riesling Camp and some of her key takeaways from that experience. We also talk about some of her key mentors and what it's been like applying for scholarships that open doors to new learning experiences. As a mom of two, she says she likes to pair wine with life because...wine is life. We also talk about the process of navigating partnerships in the wine industry as she has worked with Sommation, SKW Production Inc., Citymeals on Wheels Chef's Tribute, Cooper's Hawk, La Fête du Champagne, Local Wine Events, and more. Recorded May 12, 2023 --------------------------- Transcript Available Here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

This episode was recorded live at Perrine's Le Pop Up in Atlanta, GA and features winemaker Alice Anderson of âmevive wine. Âmevive is a small winery and vineyard based in Santa Barbara County. Alice and her partner farm a historic 10-acre vineyard in Los Olivos District AVA home to Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Marsanne planted in 1971. After graduating Cal Poly with a BS in Wine and Viticulture and a few California harvests under her belt, she headed to Central Otago, New Zealand for 7 months working at Amisfield in the cellar and at Rippon Vineyard in the biodynamic vineyards with the Mills family. In August of 2015, she headed to the Northern Rhone to work as an intern at Chez Pierre Gaillard. She says those two years in France were the foundation for âmevive, so she moved back to the states in 2017, she really began to conceptualize her dream of starting her own project of Northern Rhone wines made with a Californian playfulness. Âmevive's first vintage was in 2019, and Alice and her partner now lease the historic Ibarra-Young Vineyard in Los Olivos District AVA, one of the first vineyards planted in the Santa Ynez Valley. This vineyard is the heart of Âmevive, so we talk about how - and why - she chooses to use biodynamic and regenerative organic farming practices that allow her to focus on the ecosystem of their vineyard as a whole. Relatively new to the Georgia market, her wines are already captivating an audience intrigued by a portfolio that is made with so much intention and attention to detail. You'll hear her passion for the natural land and for making energetic wines that represent a sense of place. You can follow @amvive.wine and visit www.amevivewine.com to learn more to join her wine club. Recorded April 15, 2023 ------------------------------- This episode was made possible with support from Bon Vin Selections and former podcast guest, Steven Meir. Special thanks to Claudio and Perrine of Le Pop Up for providing the perfect recording studio space for Alice's visit. TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support