A Cork in the Road
By Kelly
Follow @acorkintheroad for wine adventures and events hosted by A Cork in the Road, LLC. Email acorkintheroad@gmail.com for media requests, collaboration opportunities, and event inquiries.
www.acorkintheroad.com
A Cork in the RoadAug 29, 2022
Episode 128 - Winemaker Rajat Parr, Phelan Farm
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
Episode 127 - Ashley Buzzy, Owner and Artist of Press Shop
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines - available for shipping to 11 states
Episode 126 - Dan Kosta, President & Founder of Convene Wines and DK Wine Group
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.
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Recorded with a live audience in Atlanta, GA on March 22, 2024
Episode 125 - Nicole Alvarez, Head Sommelier and Beverage Director at The Alden
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines - available for shipping to 11 states
Episode 124 - Adam Venable, Sales Consultant for Winebow
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
Episode 123 - Norie Chinea, Southeast Regional Manager for Laurent-Perrier Champagne
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
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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
Episode 122 - Braxton Parr, Supervising Video Producer at Wine Enthusiast
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
Episode 121 - Jane Lopes - Sommelier, Importer, and Author
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 120 - Dannielle Thomas, Wine Sales and Humanitarian & Social Sector Professional
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines - now shipping to 11 states!
Episode 119 - Francis Coligado, Beverage Director for Nooshe Jan Group
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.
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Recorded November 27, 2023
Episode 118 - Winemaker Pepe Raventós, Can Sumoi and Raventós i Blanc
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)
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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!
Episode 117 - Eric Crane, Director of Training for Empire Distributors, Inc.
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
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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!
Episode 116 - Lindsey Fragalle, Retail Sales Specialist for Brookhaven Wines
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.
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Recorded October 8, 2023
Episode 115 - Steffini Bethea, Owner of Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop and Tasting Room
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 114 - Jordan Smelt, Wine Director and Co-Owner of Lucian Books & Wine
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
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Episode 113 - Hailey Culmone, Certified Sommelier and Wine Consultant
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 112 - Anthony Panzica, Beverage Director of The Porchetta Group
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
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Episode 111 - Laura Brown Unterstein, American Sign Language Interpreter and Wine Professional
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 110 - A Cork in the Road as a Guest on The Wine Makers Podcast
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!
Episode 109 - Roundtable with 5 Italian Producers, LIVE at Prime Wine & Spirits in Atlanta
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
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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.
Episode 108 - Sommelier Jason Wilfore, "Unusual Suspects" Blind Tasting Champion
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 107 - Portuguese Winemaker Filipa Pato, LIVE at Dom Beijos in Atlanta
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
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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.
Episode 106 - Jill Davis, Hospitality & Events Manager for DuMOL Winery
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
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This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 105 - Meaghan Odum of TRILLwinewife, Media Consultant and Wine Unify Award Recipient
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
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Episode 104 - Winemaker Alice Anderson, âmevive wine
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
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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.
Episode 103 - Steven Hargrove, Associate Director for the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction
Steven Hargrove is the Associate Director for the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction with more than 18 years of special-event fundraising experience. Previously, he managed the special events team at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which produced more than seven large-scale events that raised more than $3 million in revenue. Prior to the Food Bank, Steven oversaw special events for Meals On Wheels Atlanta. Steven loves to travel and has visited nearly 40 countries, with his favorites being China, Italy, South Africa, Israel and Costa Rica. He has also hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, and he hiked Patagonia through the countries of Argentina and Chile in fall 2022. We talk about the origins of his love for wine, which was a parallel journey while pursuing a Juris Doctor and a Master of Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Music from Oklahoma City University. He gives us a behind the scenes look at the process of producing the auction events each year in Atlanta and how the team interacts with the participating wineries throughout the year. His favorite wines at the moment are Tuscan Chiantis, California Cabernet Sauvignons, and Bordeaux blends. You can visit www.highmuseumwine.org to learn more about the auction and you can follow @highmuseumwine on Instagram.
Recorded April 5, 2023 ---------------------------------------------------------
This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 102 - Dustin French, Sommelier at Bern's Steakhouse
This episode features Sommelier Dustin French and Bern's Steakhouse. Dustin grew up in upstate New York in a small town called Bolton Landing. At the age of 12, he started washing dishes on weekends at the local diner where his mother worked. He continued working in restaurants during the summer throughout high school and college working almost every position imaginable. After graduating college, he tried to pursue a career in finance while still bartending and waiting tables on the side. After shifting his goals to the hospitality industry, he moved to Tampa, FL in October of 2020 and began his career at Bern’s Steakhouse that December. He first started working in the bar department, but he switched over to the wine department when an associate sommelier position opened up. In October of 2021, he completely moved over to the wine department and has been working the floor at Bern’s ever since. We talk about what makes this wine program so incredibly unique, and he provides some insights into the beautiful history of this special place, He also speaks to the caliber of the wine collection that he gets to work with on a daily basis and how he is simultaneously pursuing his own wine education. He currently holds the Certified Sommelier designation through the Court of Master Sommeliers and has his eyes set on taking the Advanced exam in 2024. In his free time, he says he loves nothing more than a date night with his fiancé or hanging out with his Siberian husky, Pursey. You can connect with Dustin on Instagram by following @dustin_c_fr and you can follow @bernssteakhouse and check out www.bernsstreakhouse.com to plan your visit.
Recorded April 3, 2023
Episode 101 - Rollin Soles, Winemaker and Founder of ROCO Winery
This episode was the first ever recording of the podcast with a live audience here in Atlanta, GA. We welcomed Rollin Soles of ROCO Winery to Vine Vault for a tasting and live show. Rollin's story begins in Texas, but he took side trips through Switzerland, Australia, and California to ultimately end up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Educated as a microbiologist and having studied biochemistry in college, Rollin's winemaking combines work ethic and science along with a passion for showcasing wines that represent a sense of place. As Oregon’s original producer of sparkling wine, Rollin insists on a pioneering, innovative spirit in the ROCO cellar—always seeking new insight and trying new ideas to keep the wines among the very best that the Willamette Valley produces. You can follow @rocowinery on social media and visit www.rocowinery.com to learn about his portfolio and to join the mailing list.
Recorded on February 23, 2023 live in Atlanta
--------------------------------------------------------- This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 100 - "Where Are They Now?" Conversations with Past Guests
Cheers to 100 episodes! We celebrate this milestone by checking in and catching up with several past guests:
Billie Harris (2:48 - 15:44)
Billie was the guest on the first ever episode of the podcast – Episode 1! She is the founder and owner of The Vino Van, LLC providing fun and educational wine tours from Atlanta to various Georgia vineyards and wineries. The Vino Van is a 10-passenger customized Mercedes Benz sprinter, and we talk about what excites her most about the wine tourism industry in the Southeast. Billie also drops some big news on this episode about some exciting new additions to the company launching in 2023 (@thevinovanllc)
Chelsea Young (15:51 - 42:14)
In 2018, Chelsea was an inaugural recipient of the Fuel Your Dreams Scholarship for Women in Wine by Women of the Vine & Spirits. As of January 2023, she sat for her last WSET Diploma exams and is (impatiently) awaiting results. She is currently studying for SWE’s Certified Wine Educator, WSG’s French Wine Scholar, and WSET’s Certified Educator. In September of 2022, Chelsea opened the Oenophile Institute in Smyrna, Georgia. The Institute is a wine school that is accessible, inclusive, and affordable for everyone from casual consumers to industry professionals. (@winey.redhead and @oenophileinstitute)
Taurean Philpott (42:21 - 1:11:48)
When Taurean was last on the show, he was working as the sommelier and beverage manager at Bacchanalia in Atlanta. In 2022, he then had the opportunity to work as a Harvest intern at Provignange, working with the winemaking team overseeing Piedrasassi, Domaine de la Cote, and Evening Land. He talks about being involved in everything from sorting, barreling down, fermentation management, bottling, and labeling. Now back in Atlanta, he currently oversees the wine program at Taste Wine Bar and Market in The Works. (@chateauneufdupapi_)
Larissa Dubose (1:11:55 - 1:40:38)
Larissa is the National Director of Beverages for airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère’s Dining Division, including the popular wine bar concept Vino Volo. As the founder and resident wine educator of The Lotus and The Vines, her passion for wine education is clear. She desires to redefine wine culture and bridge the gap from wine novice to connoisseur using the soft skills of wine knowledge and etiquette, empowering a new generation of wine lovers. This effort has been recently recognized in her inclusion of the inaugural cohort of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Future 40. (@larissacdubose)
Dan and Kristina Limoges (1:40:45 - 2:05:10)
Limoges Cellars is an up and coming vineyard and winery situated on 37 acres in the North Georgia mountains. As winemakers and owners, Dan and Kristina Limoges aim to make exceptional wines from their own grown vinifera and offer unique interpretations on traditional European wine making styles. The focus at Limoges Cellars will be thoughtfully paired, quality wine and food with an emphasis on education in how to taste wine, pair wine, and expand one's wine tasting palate. (@limogescellars)
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Recorded in February and March of 2023
Episode 99 - Janice Williams, Freelance Wine Journalist
This episode features Janice Williams, a freelance writer living, working, wining, and dining in New York City. Before transitioning into the food and wine space, Janice covered culture and entertainment news for Newsweek. She has been studying journalism from day one in school and in her career, but now she’s sharing her voice and talented skillset with the world of food and beverage media. Her work has now been featured in print and online publications, including Wine Enthusiast, Uproxx, Vine Pair, and Thrillist, among others. We talk about some of her favorite projects to date, her recent trip to South Africa, and her guiding principles for what she feels will ultimately move the wine industry forward in years to come. You can follow @browngirldrinkswine on Instagram for her latest insights.
Recorded February 21, 2023
Episode 98 - Listener Q&A with a Very Special Guest
This episode is our first "Listener Q&A" episode inspired by our friends at The Winemakers Podcast. Kelly's husband, Ryan Cornett, joins her live on air to discuss a variety of questions submitted by podcast listeners and to celebrate approaching the 100th episode of the show.
Recorded February 3, 2023
This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 97 - Yolanda Shoshana, Wine & Spirits Ambassador and On-Premise Representative
This episode features Yolanda Shoshana, a tastemaker, content creator, brand ambassador, and on-premise representative for wine and spirits based in New York City. She created and performed The Wine Club Monologues, a solo show about wine showcased at the Hartford Fringe Festival and Syracuse Fringe Festival. She has written about wine and spirits for print and online outlets including Huffington Post, Liquor.com, The Village Voice, Black Enterprise, Essence, The Frisky, SheKnows.com, United States Bartenders Guild, and Your Tango. She also because a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier NY in 2020 and is recognized as “one of the most creative influencers” in the wine community who “taps into the broader socio-cultural context and on-going discussions that are fundamental to the well-being of everyone in food, beverage, and beyond.” We talk about the future of combining art and wine, and she provides some helpful tips about finding a story while experiencing wine and press events. We close out the episode with a fun recap of her recent trip to Argentina and discuss our mutual appreciation for the city of Buenos Aires. You can follow @yolandashoshana on social media, and you can learn more about her portfolio of work by visiting www.yolandashoshana.com.
Recorded January 28, 2023
Episode 96 - Kaitlin "Jett" Kolarik, Wine Professional and Photographer
Kaitlin "Jett" Kolarik is a wine professional and photographer in Atlanta, GA. They come to the wine industry from a background in media production and photography, but we talk about how they fell in love with the wine world over the past few years now having experience working in restaurants, wine bars, and currently, one of the friendly faces you’ll see working in wine retail at 3 Parks Wine Shop in Glenwood Park here in Atlanta. Kaitlin is passionate about sustainability and inclusivity in the wine world and loves learning about the people and the producers behind wines, especially in the category of minimal intervention wines. They also relatively recently had the opportunity to attend Pinot Camp in Oregon, so we talk about how that unique experience – and first official visit to a winery! - has further fueled their personal pursuit of wine education and exploration. You can follow @picklesanddishsoap for wine insights on social media, and you can keep an eye on www.kaitlinkolarik.com for their wine and photography projects in the future.
Recorded January 16, 2023
This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 95 - Adam Pucillo, Fine Wine Specialist for The Estates Group of Republic National Distributing Company
This episode features Adam Pucillo, currently the Fine Wine Specialist for The Estates Group, the fine wine division of Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). He was formerly the wine director of Del Frisco's Double Eagle - Atlanta, American Cut and Regent Cocktail Club, and was also part of the opening team at Atlas Buckhead in the St. Regis - Atlanta. We talk about his time working in these fine dining restaurants and the skills he developed from wine service along the way. Adam is an Advanced Sommelier and winner of the 2017 Taste of Atlanta “Atlanta’s Best Somm” competition and the 2020 "Somm Smackdown" Champion. He also recently passed the Theory portion of the Master Sommelier Diploma exam in July 2022, so we talk about the preparation process and the emotional rollercoaster involved in pursuing this level of wine education. He is a longtime Atlanta resident, where he finished his degrees in engineering at Georgia Tech. Adam is also the proud father of his 6 year old son, Lucas. The best way to reach Adam is via email, adam.pucillo@gmail.com, and he is always willing to help others who are looking for ways to further their wine education.
Recorded December 20, 2022
Episode 94 - Steven Meir, Founder of Bon Vin Selections
This episode features Steven Meir, the founder of Bon Vin Selections. He grew up in Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia, but he got his start in the hospitality and fine dining industry when he moved to Vail, CO after college. His wine journey later took him to New York City in 2006 where he began working as a sommelier in fine dining restaurants including Babbo, Daniel, and Jean-Georges. With an opportunity to later move into distribution, he worked at Michael Skurnik Wines from 2009-2021 as a Manhattan-based sales rep. We talk about the skills he gained in these various roles and what eventually led him to moving back to Atlanta in 2021 to begin building his own wine distribution brand. Steven officially launched Bon Vin Selections in March 2022, and since then he's been building his brand and connecting with the Atlanta wine community in a very impactful way. We discuss some of the challenges of wine distribution related to laws and regulations in the state of Georgia, but we also talk about why it's such an exciting time to bring new suppliers into the Georgia market. You can follow @bonvinselections on social media to learn more about Steven's wines, producers, and tasting events, and you can check out www.bonvinselections.com for information about his portfolio.
Recorded November 19, 2022
This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 93 - Tiffanie Barriere, "The Drinking Coach" Educator and Mixologist
This episode features Tiffanie Barriere, a bartender, educator, mixologist, and Tastemakers of the South award-winner who spent 7 years as the beverage director of One Flew South in Atlanta aka the “Best Airport Bar in the World.” This Louisiana-Texas native now based in Atlanta is the trustworthy mentor of some of the best bartenders and mixologists in the world with a goal of education, service and fun with every pour. As an independent bartender, she is known for creative and innovative cocktail menus for pop-dinners, hosting mixology classes around the nation, and connecting culinary and farm culture with spirits. As a leader, she is a member of the Tales of the Cocktail Grants Committee, the James Beard Beverage Advisory Board, and a member of the Atlanta chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Being “The Drinking Coach” has taken her around the world and to demonstration stages of food and hospitality events such as the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Charleston Food & Wine Festival, BevCon, Tales of the Cocktail, Savannah Food & Wine Festival, Music to Your Mouth and more. As an author-contributor, Tiffanie’s cocktail recipes can be found in the Southern Foodway Alliance Guide to Cocktails by Jerry Slayter, Jubilee by Toni Tipton Martin, and Road Soda by Kara Newman. Her reputation as a public historian has opened doors for her to speak on panels at such venues as Fire, Flour & Fork, Southern Foodways Symposium, and the Soul Summit, and she has interpreted the cocktails of African American and women firsts in spirits at the James Beard House in New York City. In 2020, Tiffanie was featured on Food Network's The Kitchen and received the Tales of the Cocktails Dame of the Year award. In 2021, she appeared on the cover photo of Imbibe Magazine for the Top 75 for Imbibe, became a judge for the L.A. Spirits Awards and Ascot Awards with Fred Minnick, spoke in Berlin for Bar Convent, and shared birthday cocktails with Hoda and Jenna on Today Show. We met at dinner in Rome while visiting Italy with Hello Grappa to learn about this unique category of the wine and spirits industry, and we talk about our key takeaways from the trip and how we see our industries evolving in the future. You can follow her @thedrinkingcoach and visit www.thedrinkingcoach.com to learn more about her work.
Recorded November 16, 2022
Photo credit: Gregory Miller
This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 92 - Jacob Gragg, Ca’ del Bosco & Portfolio Fine Wine Specialist
This episode features Jacob Gragg, the Ca’ del Bosco & Portfolio Fine Wine Specialist based in Atlanta, GA. Considered the industry standard for Franciacorta (Lombardia), Ca’ del Bosco is of paramount importance to the Santa Margherita family of wines, serving as the example for unwavering commitment to purity and quality. Jacob’s quest for quality, desire to educate, and passion for the finer things in life led him to join the group in 2019, and he's been sharing the love for Franciacorta ever since. His journey in wine, however, began in Georgia many years ago. In 2009, he set the goal of passing the Master Sommelier exam and garnered experience most notably as the Sommelier at Aria Restaurant in Atlanta, and as Sommelier of The Georgian Room at the Cloister in Sea Island. After the intense restaurant experience, Jacob spent five years working as an ambassador for a renown Italian producer. He earned his Advanced Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers at the age of 24, making him one of the youngest to have achieved this certification. In addition, Jacob is a Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits, and was named one of the Best New Sommeliers of 2012 by Wine & Spirits magazine and is the Founding President of the Southeastern Sommelier Society. We discuss the utility of blind tasting, what makes the Atlanta wine community so special, and what he sees for the future of the wine industry as a whole. You can learn more about the wines he showcases by following @cadelbosco_official on social media or by reaching out to him via email J.gragg@SantaMargheritaUSA.com.
Recorded October 26, 2022
Episode 91 - Vas Sanchez, Sour Grapes Sales Rep and Stand-Up Comedian
This episode features Vas Sanchez, an actor, comedian, and wine sales rep based in Atlanta, GA. He is a 5-year veteran representing the Sour Grapes Wine portfolio, but he also has experience working in service at Empire State South and working in wine retail. Bringing his love for flavor and his chef skills to food pairing in the wine world, Vas has taken his passion for wine and made it his everyday hustle while also pursuing his love for acting and comedy. We talk about his wine philosophy at the end of the episode, and it left me feeling deeply inspired to think about the various ways in which wine continues to metaphorically reflect my own values and principles. We share a joy for hosting bottleshares with fellow wine professionals, and you will hear about his ultimate dream job for the future. You can follow @the_vas_sanchez_ on Instagram for updates about his shows and performances.
Recorded October 25, 2022
Episode 90 - Marvella Castaneda, Wine Director for Lazy Betty
This episode features Marvella Castaneda. She is a talented wine and art professional who is fairly new to Atlanta and is currently the Wine Director for Lazy Betty, a tasting menu restaurant where you can enjoy either a 6- or 8-course menu as well as the 6- or 8-course wine pairings specially designed for each menu. Since the culinary program at Lazy Betty is culture-diverse and ever-changing, Marvella designs the complimentary wine program to showcase wines from all over the world with the intention of exposing guests to new styles and regions. We talk about her recent trip to Washington wine country and how being in the wine growing region has elevated her appreciation for their wines. We also discuss our mutual love for the versatility of Port pairings and our appreciation for dessert wines. You can follow her adventures on social media @marvellacastaneda, and you can book your reservation to experience her wine pairings by visiting www.lazybettyatl.com.
Recorded October 9, 2022
This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 89 - Part 3 of 3 - Virginia Mini Series - Chauncey Jenkins, Shockoe Wine Ambassador
This is the finale episode of a 3-part mini series dedicated to all things Virginia Wine in partnership with The Veraison Project and Oenoverse initiatives.
This episode features Chauncey Jenkins, a hospitality professional who passionately believes that diplomatic hospitality, immersive environments, and personal experience are at the core of connecting deeply across boundaries. He is a graduate of the Cornell School of Hospitality, and Chauncey has co-created and led luxury gathering spots, contemporary social clubs, and innovative restaurant concepts. He describes his work as always striving to provide an expansive suite of senses to create immersive environments for executive leadership summits and negotiation spaces. We talk about how he uses his unique skills to teach about building connection across divides, breaking through creative limitations to generate alternative solutions, and communicating empathetically to resonate with stakeholders for in-person, hybrid, and virtual audiences. You can learn more about his upcoming album release as well as his work with The Veraison Project by following his adventures @mrchancefischer on social media.
Recorded October 5, 2022
Episode 88 - Part 2 of 3 - Virginia Mini Series - Lance Lemon, Co-Founder of RichWine RVA and Co-Owner of Penny's
This is the second episode of a 3-part mini series dedicated to all things Virginia Wine in partnership with The Veraison Project and Oenoverse initiatives.
This episode features Lance Lemon, a Virginia native and a 2011 graduate of the University of Virginia. Lance double majored in Acting and Studio Art with a focus in Cinematography. Lance is an Actor at heart. He is also the Co-Founder of RichWine RVA and Co-Owner of Penny's - a Jackson Ward Wine spot located in the heart of Richmond. His interest in wine began when he moved to New York to continue his acting career and had the opportunity to bartend at Jean Georges ABC Cocina and Kitchen. Cocina soon led him to a role as a wine sales rep for Frederick Wildman and Sons, where Lance learned a tremendous amount about wine. He moved on to help curate, open, and manage two successful wine shops in BedStuy, Brooklyn: Wine - O and Liquid Assets. Lance is WSET level II certified and is advancing through the levels for the pure joy of it. We talk a lot about how he truly believes that "Knowledge is wealth" and how he is excited to be an integral part of the ever-growing wine scene in Richmond. He describes what it's like to be working part-time at Early Mountain Vineyards in production, learning the beautiful intricate craft of winemaking as a Cellar Technician. The RichWine Motto is "Good Wine. Good People. Good Time" - You can follow his adventures on social at @lancelemon and @richwinerva, and you can learn more about his wine retail business at www.richwineva.com.
Recorded October 3, 2022
Episode 87 - Part 1 of 3 - Virginia Mini Series - Tasha Durrett, Founder of Black Women Who Wine
This is the first episode of a 3-part mini series dedicated to all things Virginia Wine in partnership with The Veraison Project and Oenoverse initiatives. We begin this episode with an introduction to these initiatives along with an overview of their upcoming outreach efforts.
The Oenoverse is an initiative dedicated to building diversity, inclusion, equity, and ownership, within the Virginia wine community. The goal is to significantly contribute to creating a more inclusive Virginia wine industry through focused outreach efforts to involve and include people from historically excluded and underrepresented communities. Leaders and wine enthusiasts within the BIPOC communities inform and lead the project’s outreach efforts, one of which is a series of tasting events led by featured wine professionals, Sommeliers, and wine enthusiasts. Through these community events and coordinated efforts, the goal is to reach a more diverse audience as well as encourage increased winery visitation and tourism of the area. You can learn more by connecting on social media @oenoverse.
The Veraison Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of a volunteer group of Wine Industry Professionals also committed to making the wine industry a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place. Their goal is to make wine education accessible to a more diverse audience by providing sponsorships to pursue WSET and sommelier certifications while also expanding access to mentoring and networking opportunities. You can find them online at @theveraisonproject.
The goal of the Oenoverse and Veraison Project partnership is to present Virginia wine in comfortable, conversational, educational, and inclusive settings with the hope of attracting new consumers while also expanding the experiences offered to existing consumers. This team was recently awarded a grant from the Virginia Wine Marketing grant program to produce a series of Virginia wine events focused on creating a more inclusive and diverse industry and community.
The first of episode of the mini series features Tasha Durrett, a wine enthusiast and educator based in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Born and raised in Virginia wine country, she founded Black Women Who Wine in 2019. Black Women Who Wine is a group focused on increasing the visibility and participation of Black women in the wine industry and agritourism throughout the state. It holds monthly meetups, offering members opportunities for socializing and wine education. Tasha also offers private tastings and collaboration on events and wine tours. A writer and communicator, Tasha is a former journalist and currently a communications manager at the Southern Environmental Law Center where she helps bring attention and awareness to transportation and environmental justice issues throughout the South. She says that since a young age, she has been especially interested in land ownership and opportunities for such throughout the Southern region and how the history of the region has shaped the entire nation. Tasha is also currently a host for the 2022 Blenheim Vineyards’ Oenoverse wine club. You can connect with her on social media at @blackwomenwhowine.
Recorded October 2, 2022
Episode 86 - Bailey McAlister, Wine Rhetoric PhD Student at Georgia State University
Bailey McAlister is in the final year of her PhD in English at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and she is simultaneously pursuing an education in wine and sake. She has also been a writing teacher for almost a decade and a professional writer for the past two years. We talk about Bailey's dissertation, "Narratives of Cultural Taste and Community in the Post-2020 Wine Industry," which is exploring the effective communication and rhetorical practices of wine professionals. She has been collecting narratives of individuals shaping the future of cultural taste for the past few years, and she shares insightful highlights of the project up to this point - including a sneak peek of her findings. In all aspects of her education, pedagogy, and research, Bailey prioritizes community engagement and seeks to strengthen relationships between disciplines. These perspectives carry over into her wine career where she is known for creating and discussing unconventional pairings. Bailey believes that wine is essential and rhetorical, and her work aims to amplify voices and tell people's stories. You can follow her on Instagram at @mcalibai and find out ways to support her work at www.patreon.com/mcalibai.
Recorded September 26, 2022
Episode 85 - Claudio Gallardo, Sales Director for Perrine's Wine Shop
This episode features Claudio Gallardo, the Sales Director for Perrine's Wine Shop. Claudio is originally from Quito, Ecuador but has lived in the US since the age of 12. Although his academic studies are in engineering, he talks about why his passion has always been customer service. Claudio has worked in sales for over two decades, cutting his teeth first at Limited Brands where he started as a part time stock associate and worked his way up Management. After having accomplished his goal in fashion sales, Claudio switched paths and moved onto wine and spirits distribution where he found the joy and love for wine. Working collaboratively with his wife, Perrine, and their small but mighty family of employees, Claudio oversees all aspects of sales, marketing, and customer experience for their wine shop locations in Atlanta. We talk a lot about how working for a growing company is a really beautiful experience because he gets to touch so many different aspects of it and watch them flourish. We also reflect on all the advancements they have made as a business throughout the pandemic to adjust to their customers' needs and to expand their online presence. As part of Perrine's ever-growing educational program, Claudio is also currently working on his Burgundy Master Level taught by the Wine Scholar Guild and is hopeful to finish by the end of this year. You can follow @perrineswine on social media, visit www.perrineswine.com to browse their wine selection, and you can always call the shop at 770-265-9795 to ask for Claudio.
Recorded August 28, 2022
This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 84 - Advanced Sommelier Elizabeth Dames, Capital City Club
This episode features Elizabeth Dames, a passionate and engaging wine professional with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She passed the first examination for the Diploma Certificate with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust with merit, passed her French Wine Scholar with highest honors, and recently sat for the Master Examination for the Court of Master Sommeliers. We talk about how much she loves to serve as a mentor for fellow wine professionals, and we also chat about her own journey ahead filled with a continuous pursuit of education. Her professional experience spans restaurants, hotels, catering, and private clubs, all of which has helped cultivate her unique breadth of knowledge for hospitality. She spent 6 years at Allegheny Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA as their Wine Director, and is now currently the Wine Director/Sommelier at Capital City Club in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, in 2018 she started her own wine consulting company called Wine Entwined in which she hosts virtual and in-person events, curates and manages private cellars, provides pairing and purchasing advice, and hosts private wine tours. In addition to her wine life, she is a mother of two, Otto Dames (8) and Blithe Dames (6), and wife to an amazing partner, Timm Dames. She says he is the reason she is able to pursue her passion for wine with full support! You can connect with her at @bitzdames on social media.
Recorded August 22, 2022
Episode 83 - Portugal with Melissa Abreu, Owner of Dom Beijos
This episode features audio clips from wine professionals who work at WOW, The New Cultural District in Porto, Portugal, followed by a discussion with Melissa Abreu who owns a Portuguese-focused wine shop in Atlanta, GA. Melissa is from a small town in South Georgia, but her Father is Portuguese, and they traveled to Portugal every two summers since she was born. She says her father always put so much emphasis on appreciating the culture there and making it as big a part of their lives growing up as he could. She later graduated from Georgia Southern with a business degree and spent the majority of her career working in manufacturing and supply chain. Four years ago, however, she says she finally gained the courage to open her own business. We talk about how she had always wanted to open a retail store, and her love for wine along with determination and drive far outweighed any fear or lack of experience to take a leap of faith. The Dom Beijos wine shop in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta is building community through wine, and Melissa shares gratitude for her partner, Justin, and the support of her family and friends. We talk about the portfolio she sources for the shop, her love for introducing people to Portuguese wines, and what it's been like to work in Atlanta's wine industry. She says owning this shop is truly what she believes she was always meant to do. You can visit www.dombeijos.com and follow @dom_beijos to learn more about Melissa and plan a visit to the wine shop.
Featuring audio clips from:
José Sá - Educator at The Wine School
Maria Delamain - Brand Manager at WOW
Priscila Haddad - Head Sommelier at WOW
Recorded July 18-22, 2022 in Porto and July 25, 2022 in Atlanta.
For more information about planning your own visit to Porto, visit www.wow.pt and www.the-yeatman-hotel.com. This episode was made possible with generous support from WOW Porto, The Yeatman Hotel, and Wagstaff Marketing.
Episode 82 - Eric Palmer, Certified Sommelier and Sales Lead at Perrine’s Wine
Originally from Philadelphia, Eric Palmer moved to Atlanta in 2020 after completing his degree in Philosophy and Economics. His current role in the wine industry is working as the Sales Lead at Perrine’s Wine, an independent retail shop in Atlanta. Prior to his work in wine retail, he was the Assistant Sommelier at The Chastain where he helped open and develop the Atlanta restaurant’s award-winning wine program (Wine Spectator, Atlanta Magazine). We talk about how he recently passed his certified exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is now pursuing a Bordeaux certificate with the Wine Scholar Guild. He provides some helpful tips and tricks for navigating blind tasting and service exams including citing research from Harvard Business School about "Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement" published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. He brings a love for hospitality to the retail space and loves helping people discover new wines and regions. You can connect with him @eric.palmr on social media.
Recorded July 24, 2022
This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 81 - Mason Washington, German Wine Entrepreneur and Founder of LELIYG
This episode features Mason Washington, a certified specialist of wine through the society of wine educators paving the way through Germany and German wines. Born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, he moved to Raleigh/Durham for the beginning of his career, but is now based in ATL. He got his start in wine at age 20 working in various country clubs and hotels, but he didn't grow up around wine and confesses that he actually hated the taste of wine initially! He knew, however, that if he wanted to go farther in the wine industry that he would need to hustle, study, taste, and sacrifice time to it in order to grow out of his comfort zone and accept any challenge ahead. As he then maneuvered his way through the industry, he had to figure out a purpose for what he wanted to do in wine because he says everything he does in life has to have a purpose, and having that strength in purpose will cause him not to quit. So, during the pandemic, he started exploring how German wine could help him pay tribute back to his German heritage as both his mom and his grandma passed when he was at a young age. Now, his primary focus is on German wine solely and to uplift it in the USA. We talk about how he is also mixing wine and music by teaching it through the lyrics. He just announced some exciting news about a new project...so follow @leliyg_wine on social media to follow along for his upcoming endeavors.
Recorded July 17, 2022
Episode 80 - Mike Annis, Certified Sommelier and Distributor Rep for Northeast Sales
This episode features Mike Annis, who began his wine journey by bussing tables at Del Frisco’s Atlanta in early 2014. By 2017, he was their full time Sommelier handling a list of over 350 labels. We talk about how we first crossed paths in the wine industry while he was working as a harvest intern out in Napa Valley, and he talks about how he seized the opportunity to temporarily move across the country to work a full 3 month harvest at Emeritus Vineyards in Russian River Valley as part his transition from floor service to distribution. Now, he is a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine who works as a distributor rep for Northeast Sales showcasing the esteemed Kermit Lynch, Ethica, and Skurnik portfolios. He is also a founding member of the All In Wine ATL blind tasting group - and he is known for having some of the most descriptive, memorable tasting notes. His mission is to give anyone the opportunity to pursue learning about wine, regardless of position or experience, just as he was encouraged to by his early mentors. Mike is also a music nerd, cat dad, and gardener. You can follow his journey as he pursues the title of Advanced Somm by following his Instagram @Sommwhere_I_Belong.
Recorded June 25, 2022
This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines
Episode 79 - Dr. Santresa Glass, Wine and Cigar Educator of Vino &, LLC
This episode features Atlanta native and recently-retired educator, Dr. Santresa Glass (San), who is the founder of Vino &, LLC (formerly Vino & Leaf), Cutting Board Stories, and The ASHtionary. She is a food, wine, and cigar educator, as well as writer and food photographer, so we talk about how her accomplished career in education has created such a strong backbone for pursuing roles in these types of other industries. She has 18+ years of experience in hospitality, small business, entrepreneurship, and executive administration guiding her along the way. At the intersection of education, wine, food, writing, learning, cigars, and photography is where her layered expertise and passion meet, merge, and serve as a connection catalyst for her Instagram LIVE "Porch Sippin' Series" and crushed grapes geekdom. An avid reader, writer, home cook and baker, San specializes in curated wine and cigar pairing experiences, pairing food with lesser known grape varieties, and resourcing the history and science of wine, cigars, and various cuisines from Vino & Read library. We invite you to pour a glass and toast a cigar while you join us for today's episode. You can follow San @vinoandllc on Instagram to stay updated on all her adventures and forthcoming ventures.
Recorded June 12, 2022