A Cork in the Road

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) ------- Recorded in February and March of 2023

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

This episode features Joe Herrig, the Director of Education for Georgia Crown Distributing Company. He is a Certified Sommelier, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a Diploma candidate with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. He has over a decade of experience in the Atlanta wine wholesale industry, and he talks about his own journey in wine education that has brought him to this point of his career. Joe was a finalist in the 2022 Atlanta “Somm Smackdown” Blind Tasting competition, and has been practicing the skill formally for the past nine years. We talk about the art of blind tasting, the exciting aspects of the Atlanta wine market, and the importance of inspiring customers to get excited about how much more there is to learn about wine. He also passes along insight from his current role in onboarding beverage professionals to the wholesale side of the business. You can follow his cooking, travel, and wine adventures at @suburbanwino on social media.  Recorded June 12, 2022 This episode is sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines

Jade hails from London, England, but has called Atlanta her home for most of her life. We talk about how she first became intrigued by wine while working as a flight attendant and taking a “Sky Sommelier” course that helped her inform Business Class customers about the wine selections on their flights. Faced with challenges of the pandemic, Jade left the airline industry and found herself working at a local Atlanta wine shop where she enjoyed taking a deeper dive into learning about wine. Since then, Jade has gotten her WSET Level 2 in Wines and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. She is currently studying for the WSET Level 3 exam and hopes to eventually sit for the WSET Diploma. In the future, Jade plans to work in wine education and events teaching wine to anyone interested. Her energy is contagious, and her love for learning is inspiring. You can connect with her @lowkeywinenerd on Instagram. Recorded June 5, 2022

This episode was recorded live in Atlanta while sitting across from and drinking wine with Maurizio Zanella of Ca’ del Bosco. He was born in 1956 in the Lombardy region of Italy, and his introduction to the world of wine came in the 1960s when his mother, Annamaria Clementi Zanella, acquired a small hillside property called “Ca’ del Bosc”. We talk a little bit about Italy's history of wine culture before his time and how a trip to the then "rustic" wineries of Burgundy inspired him to put his agricultural studies and what he learned in France into practice in his native Franciacorta. In 1968, he created Ca’ del Bosco, which today is the leading producer of Franciacorta. Zanella transformed what was a house in the chestnut woods of Lombardy into one of the country’s most modern wineries, becoming one of the leading figures in Italy’s wine renaissance. On air during his first ever trip to Atlanta, we taste and compare two of their wines and discuss their personalities, their oak profiles, and their nuances while also highlighting the importance of their strategic details at every stage of production. He believes in the power of innovation and is constantly striving for improvements toward excellence, and he also speaks to some of his personal goals for success of their wine in the U.S. market. You can visit www.cadelbosco.com/en to learn more about their story, practices, and portfolio. Recorded May 9, 2022 Episode sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines 

Henna Bakshi is a producer at HLN/CNN and an on-camera personality for everything food and wine. She was born and raised in New Delhi, India, and that is where Henna started developing a culinary interest. After rigorous cooking and understanding food flavors, she began her journey into wine study. Henna is WSET Level 2 certified and hopes to educate people about pairing wines with bold eastern flavors. We talk about how she recently hosted her first food and wine pop-up called, "Hands," where she cooked Mediterranean food and paired it with an assortment of ancient and old world wines. She also shares a few of her wine pairing tips as well as some insight on working with food and wine in the media. You can follow her updates and learn more about future pop-up events by following @hennabakshi on Instagram.

This inspiring and uplifting episode features Reggie Leonard, a wine student and Virginia wine enthusiast based in Charlottesville, Virginia. He currently leads career development at the University of Virginia's School of Data Science, but when he’s not coaching students or hosting events, Reggie is a regular on the Charlottesville arts, dining, tech, and wine scene. His discerning palate and accessible commentary have already opened doors to countless conversations-turned-collaborations. Reggie is a recipient of the inaugural cohort of Wine Unify, an educational program providing award opportunities for minority groups interested in or working in wine, through which he pursued a WSET Level 1 certification and earned his WSET Level 2 with Distinction shortly after. We talk about his wide array of experiences in the Virginia wine industry that have been pivotal moments in his wine education journey, and we discuss how he is working to combine his knowledge and passion toward a parallel career in the wine industry. We discuss the art of "paying attention" while developing your palate, and we highlight a few of the items on his "wine bucket list". Keep an ear out for a list of some fantastic Virginia wine recommendations at the end of the episode, and you can connect with him at @reggieleonard on Instagram to learn more about his goals for the industry. Recorded April 2022

This episode features Erin Mason, a former Atlanta resident who worked with Fifth Group Restaurants for 10 years where she started as a server, became a manager, and quickly moved into beverage programs. Less than two years after starting at South City Kitchen Midtown, she was offered the opportunity to open Ecco Buckhead with total autonomy over the beverage program. At the same time, she had completed her certification with the CMS, started traveling to supplement her wine education, and played an instrumental role in establishing the beverage program at South City Kitchen Avalon. On a trip to California's Central Coast in 2019, however, she was inspired to take a huge leap of faith - she left everything behind in Atlanta to work the 2019 California harvest with no plans to return. She later moved to Santa Barbara to open a bar with a friend from Atlanta. but not long into the pandemic, she started working for Angela Osborne at A Tribute to Grace and Magan Kunin at Kunin Wines. In 2021, she got connected with Ann Kraemer at Shake Ridge Ranch in the Sierra Foothills and joined her team for the harvest. She later worked in the Columbia River Gorge with Laura Brennan Bissel of Inconnu wines on her project up there, and Erin is now settling into a full season in the vineyard at Paicines Ranch in San Benito county. We talk about how wine studies have been kind of a wild ride, but how she is inspired by the current work at Paicines Ranch and is realizing that her trajectory into vineyard work isn't just through wine, but from a passion for farming that went unnurtured while she made her way through the restaurant world. You can connect with her on Instagram @mason_hearts_in_jars to learn more about her adventures and to source advice for ways to learn more about farming practices in the wine industry. Recorded April 2022

This episode takes us to Greenville, SC to talk with Alex Lopez, a wine educator at the North Carolina Wine Academy who is preparing to attend the Burgundy School of Business MBA program in Wine and Spirits Management this fall. He says that he first fell in love with wine long before he could partake in a bottle by reading wine atlases with an eye to the history of vineyards and terroir. Earning a Bachelor's in History from Gettysburg College has created a solid foundation for his further studies in wine, so he describes a few interesting stories of historical events from wine growing regions. Also building upon his family's career background in the ski town hospitality industry of both Jackson Hole and Park City, he is excited for the future of wine ahead to combine his various interests and skills. He has already passed 5 wine certification exams in 2021, and he will be expanding his knowledge in Burgundy this fall. You can bookmark his blog at www.drinkswithalexlopez.com and you can check out his work on social media by finding @drinkswithalexlopez on Instagram. Recorded April 2, 2022

This episode features Peter Poulos, a wine and hospitality professional whose path in wine began while in Athens, GA attending The University of Georgia. He says that his wine curiosity while serving in restaurants led to further experimentation. He moved to Atlanta after college to pursue his first passion of dance, but while juggling auditions and rehearsals, Peter was also a member of the team at Veni Vidi Vici where he was introduced to obscure grapes, higher price points, and often overlooked Italian regions. After seven years with that company, Peter opened a Pilates studio, where he was named "best instructor" 4 years in a row by popular vote in Creative Loafing. To make ends meet, Peter accepted a position with Concentrics group at their flagship restaurant, One Midtown Kitchen, where he was surrounded by wine once again and was able to take his wine education more seriously. He recalls, however, that leading a new team at The Spence with advanced sommelier Justin Amick was the role that would ultimately change his life. Justin held a wine tasting group on Mondays, and one night after a few too many glasses of Assyrtiko, Peter registered for his level one and two Court of Master Sommelier exams. We talk about how he successfully passed both exams in one weekend. He later became the beverage director/sommelier at Parrish in Inman Park of Atlanta where he created new cocktails and restyled their wine list for 3 years. We talk about what it's been like to move from restaurants to retail because Peter has been the lead buyer at Highland Fine Wine now for 4 years, and his commitment to hospitality is more one-on-one with customers as he guides them to the perfect bottle for any occasion. He is still dancing more than ever while also continuing his wine education with Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) level 3, looking onward to diploma certification. Most recently, Peter participated in Atlanta's annual "Somm Smackdown" blind tasting competition...and won the whole thing! Peter loves to use his knowledge to educate others while still learning himself, so he challenges me to a live blind tasting at the end of the episode. His future plans include dancing his way through life, drinking wine along the way. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @petedrinkswine and check out www.highlandfinewine.com to learn more about his work. Recorded March 21, 2022

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Kelly Hawkins moved to Atlanta in 1994 to complete his last years of high school. Moving on to pursue an engineering degree at then Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta, Ga, Kelly always knew that he would eventually leave the 20-year career that he fostered in telecom to pursue something that was more suited to his passions for culture and gastronomy.  As a solo entrepreneur in the tech industry with limited knowledge of the difficult to penetrate alcohol industry, Kelly found the confidence to join longtime friend and luxury spirits veteran, Donae Burston on a journey to build La Fête Wine Co.  Overseeing brand development for the now global luxury wine label, Kelly understands that real life experiences play a very important role in the authenticity of a brand's message. Their flagship wine, La Fête du Rosé, is the first entirely black-owned rose from St. Tropez in the South of France and was also the fastest growing luxury rosé of 2021. We talk about his travels from city to city visiting some of the world’s most iconic hotels and restaurants. He is a connoisseur of lifestyle. Whether it be luxury travel destinations, fine menswear, watches, cigars and of course great wine, Kelly Hawkins is what you would call a tastemaker. You can follow his adventures @kelly_the_guy on Instagram, and you can learn more about the wines by visiting www.lafeterose.com. Recorded March 21, 2022

Eduardo Porto Carreiro moved to Atlanta in 2017 after spending five years in New York City and previously ten years in Los Angeles. He first joined the Rocket Farm team as a Beverage Manager overseeing JCT, Marcel, and The Optimist in Atlanta and also became the Beverage Director for the restaurant’s independent concepts. Having studied Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University followed by an extensive career in both wine retail and fine dining programs, he brings an enthusiasm for sharing the stories of winemakers, farmers, craft distillers, and small brewers to his current role in the Southeast. He believes the greatest skill needed to excel as a sommelier is listening to guests so that you can provide a positive, warm, and unforgettable experience. We talk about the Atlanta wine community and how he emphasizes the importance of wine education opportunities for his staff. He talks about how acting as a catalyst for creativity and integrity in the beverage programs keeps him focused and inspired. We also dive into the concept of wine “fluency” as a continuous pursuit of education and communication in the wine industry. You can follow @_educardo_pc on instragram for his insights, and you can visit www.rocketfarmrestaurants.comto learn about the restaurant group. Recorded March 10, 2022

This episode features Alli and Bertus van Zyl, the dynamic duo behind the bright, fresh wines of Belong Wine Co. that they launched in 2017. Their portfolio celebrates their adventures, explorations, their love and respect for one another, and their community and land. These minimal intervention wines are energetic and have a zest for life that's simply captivating - just like their makers. Their production is focused on the El Dorado County region of the Sierra Foothills. As proud members of Climate Neutral and 1% for the Planet, Alli and Bertus are passionate about making Belong Wine Co. a company for good and are excited to continue their efforts to leave their land better than they found it. We talk about from where they drew inspiration for the label, the artwork, and the wines. We also talk about what makes the Mourvèdre grape so intriguing as a backbone for this project – and why it pairs so perfectly with South African Biltong! Bertus is from Cape Town, South Africa and studied viticulture and enology at the University of Stellenbosch. He is also the winemaker for James Cole, Tank Garage, and T-Vine. You can visit www.belongwines.com to learn more about their Belong Co. wines, and you can follow @belongwineco to stay up to date with all events, news, and releases. Recorded March 7, 2022

This episode features Randi Brady, creator of Diversified Vines and Taste the Playlist. She is a wine enthusiast originally from Harlem who is committed to bridging the gap between the gritty elements of hip-hop and the nuanced world of wine. She has spent the last three years creating her wine brand platform, but her most recent project is an event that allows guests to enjoy a curated playlist intently paired with fine wine. As a student of both hip-hop and wine, Randi has developed a unique perspective of interlacing the two. Influenced by her appetite for learning and passion, she decided to start on the WSET path in 2019 to advance her wine education. She currently holds a WSET 2 Award in Wines and is looking forward to starting the Champagne Master-Level program offered by Wine Scholar Guild. We talk about some of her favorite wine and music pairings - specifically a 2018 Vincent & Sophie Morey Bourgogne with 80s hip-hop! - and some of her guiding principles. You can follow her journey online @diversifiedvines and @tastetheplaylist, and you can visit www.diversifiedvines.com for her playlists and event updates. Recorded March 4, 2022

Kicking off a new season of wine stories from the Southeast, this episode features Matthew Conway - the owner, operator, and sommelier at The Tippling House in Charleston’s Elliotborough neighborhood. The Tippling House is an intimate wine bar set in a Charleston Single house, and the wine list is printed and dated every day highlighting a global selection of bottles produced by families that respect the land they farm and the history of their domaines. We talk about the goals of his wine program, why he allows all of the wines to be available by the half bottle, and how he sources from his personal cellar to create a list called “Matthew’s Stash”. He talks about how he strives to create a wine bar that caters to all wine lovers regardless of taste or budget. We chat about making the move to Charleston, South Carolina in March of 2020 after 17 years in New York City and 14 years as partner and beverage director at Restaurant Marc Forgione. Conway, a native Californian, moved to NYC in 2004 where he worked for the late Chef Gray Kunz at Café Gray in the Time Warner center from 2004-2007. In 2010, he took a short leave to work in the world-famous cellars of Taillevent in Paris, France. After returning in the fall of 2010, Restaurant Marc Forgione received one Michelin Star and shortly thereafter, Matthew became a certified coffee sommelier, was honored as one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in 2012 and named one of Star Chefs “Rising Star Sommeliers” of 2015. Matthew has consistently been a featured sommelier at several of the top wine events of the year including but not limited to La Paulée and La Fête du Champagne. Matthew now holds partnership at La Tablée which focuses on the Northern Rhône Valley, so we dive into what fascinates him most about this region. Since opening The Tippling House in October 2021, his team has received glowing coverage from Wine Spectator and Charleston City Paper. The Post & Courier also just named Matthew and his fiancé Carissa Hernandez a Charleston “Food and Beverage Power Couple” in February of 2022. Add The Tippling House to your list of must-visit wine destinations for your next trip to Charleston. You can visit www.thetipplinghousechs.com for more info, and you can follow @conbeazie and @tipplinghousechs on Instagram. Recorded March 2, 2022

Amanda Kimbrough is a lifelong Georgian who works in distribution for Avant Partir, a wine wholesale company selling primarily natural wine to restaurants and retailers. We talk about her journey in the wine industry and how she draws inspiration from her travels, her colleagues, and her connections in Atlanta. She’s known around town for bringing people together and advocating for the advancement of representation in the wine industry, so we chat about her insight on what makes Atlanta unique, why it's important to lower barriers to starting careers in wine, and what she thinks progress would look like in relation to gender and racial equity in the industry. You can follow her adventures at @amandabunbun on social media. Recorded December 19, 2021

Cate Hatch grew up in both Atlanta, Georgia, and Raleigh, North Carolina, and has always cherished the culture and food heritage of the American South. She is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Specialist of Wine since 2008. We talk about how she had the opportunity to work for and with some of the legends of southern cuisine: Scott Peacock at Watershed as a Dining Room Manager, with Kevin Gillespie at Woodfire Grill as Sommelier, and most recently, with Gina and Linton Hopkins, working her way up to Director of Operations, Leadership & Wine. In 2019, Hatch reunited with her former Woodfire Grill colleague, Joey Ward, to lead the highly anticipated restaurants Southern Belle and Georgia Boy, just months ahead of the pandemic. After a very exciting year and a half guiding the team through 2020’s strange times, we talk about what reopening Southern Belle & Georgia Boy in 2021 has been like with a renewed focus on the wine program and creative pairings. You can follow her adventures @cate_with_a_cee on social media, and you can visit www.southernbelleatl.com to learn more about the restaurants. Recorded November 16, 2021

Aaron Monu and Jamila Janneh created Wine(s) for the Culture during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown after a few bottles of wine in their Brooklyn apartment. They've since moved to live, work, and play in Atlanta, and we discuss what makes Atlanta's wine scene so unique. They share how their lives were intertwined with wine from the beginning of their relationship and how they were often the friends that people associated with wine. Their goal with Wine(s) for the Culture is to change the stigma that wine is always “fancy” or reserved for special occasions, and instead they want to open their friends' and followers’ eyes to a world and culture (with many sub-cultures) that has space for anyone to enjoy. We chat about how they both use their unique skill sets, experience, and wine knowledge to create aesthetically pleasing, educational, and sensory wine content and experiences for brands and individuals alike. Atlanta is lucky to have such a dynamic duo dedicated to normalizing the enjoyment of wine (and spirits) for the community and spreading a simple message: Wine is a lifestyle. You can follow their wine content and adventures at @winesfortheculture on social media, and you can visit www.winesfortheculture.com to learn more about their scope of work. Recorded November 7, 2021

This episode features Sam Coturri, and family legend holds that at the age of three, Sam went around a party his parents were having with a tray full of Dixie cups proudly serving “ ‘turri Wine” to the guests. So, despite his first career in politics and public relations, he really has been slinging the family hooch since he was first able to keep that tray upright. Sam was the 4th generation in his family to be born in San Francisco, but he was raised in what we now call the Moon Mountain District, first at the top of Lovall Valley Road and from the age of six on, at 16600. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, where he studied Journalism and Political Science and tells us that he got as far away from wine business as he could muster, working for a lobbying and PR firm.  In the Spring of 2011, however, he came back to the family business to create Winery Sixteen 600, launching the first vintage to feature Stanley Mouse label art later that year. We talk about how he discovered his place in continuing a multi-generational winegrowing community and realized that no matter what he had done in the past, this was really what he was doing his whole life. When not waxing poetic about wine on The Wine Makers podcast, you can find Sam in the garden of their Sonoma home with his wife Alice, daughter Althea and dog Curry. Follow @Sixteen600 @Grapeswithaview & @winemakerspod for all his social media adventures, and you can visit www.winerysixteen600.com to learn more about his wines. Recorded November 8, 2021 

This episode features Jean-Wesley "Wes" Michel of @WineWithWes. He's currently a Global Brand Ambassador based in Washington D.C. for Michael Lavelle Wines, but he is also finishing up his degree in Business Administration with a focus on Small Business and Entrepreneurship while also studying wine as a WSET (Wine Spirits Education Trust) Level 2 student. We talk about how his road to food and wine started in his kitchen with his dad who was a chef and his mom who was always cooking, but it was his travels all over the world, from Egypt to Montreal, that sparked his pursuit of wine more deeply in 2019. As Head of Consumer and Community Engagement for Michael Lavelle, he is getting a front row seat to what goes on in the wine community, and he is also chair of The Gathering Spot's Wine Club called “Cork Club” - they discuss and deduce wines and regions from around the world every two weeks. He says that being able to teach and discuss wine to a new audience has become his latest passion, and #WineWithWes has become his platform to encompass all his love for food, wine, and photography. You can follow his “your palate will find you” adventures on social media at @winewithwes, and you can check out his blog and merchandise at www.winewithwes.com. Recorded November 1, 2021

Ryan Mullins is an Atlanta Native with 15 years as a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ryan currently works as a Sales Consultant with Winebow Imports where he manages winery relationships as well as sommelier relationships in Georgia. He’s a three-time winner of Vino Venue’s blind tasting competition as well as one of the founding and longest tenured members of the Atlanta Sommelier blind tasting group. Ryan has traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America, and North America and has worked a harvest in Alexander Valley, Sonoma. We talk about the utility of blind tasting, the joy of being a mentor for so many aspiring wine professionals, and his vision for the future of the wine industry in Georgia. You can follow his bottle shots and wine adventures at @ryansmullins on social media. Recorded November 5, 2022  

Sedale McCall is the owner of Untold Wine Stories, a brand that believes "Storytelling is Social Justice'' and in the power of highlighting a wide variety of wine stories. I ask him to describe the type of stories he likes to uncover, and we talk about his dedication to an academic approach to wine exploration. A Virginia native, Sedale's wine journey started in Virginia wine country, including winery tastings, harvest internships, and more. We chat about his experience working the 2021 harvest for Early Mountain Vineyards and what makes him excited about the future of Virginia wine. Sedale received his WSET Level 2 with Distinction with plans to continue his studies in American Wines and additional WSET coursework. You can follow all of his adventures on social media at @untoldwinestories. Recorded October 27, 2022.

This episode features Candace Lynn, a former elementary teacher from Pennsylvania who decided to take a chance on herself and pursue her love of wine. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she is currently living in Napa working the 2021 harvest. We talk about what the California wine community is like compared to the East Coast, and she provides excellent insight on why she wanted to make this big move into the wine industry along with how support for wine education through the Roots Fund has propelled her studies. Candace's goal is to connect people to delicious, affordable wine all while making it approachable for everyone. She shares how she uses social media to communicate with people and spark further exploration. You can check her out during her "Wine It On Me Wednesday" wine reviews or chatting it up with other wine lovers during her "Talking Tasting Tuesdays" on her Instagram page @WineItOnMe. She shares some of her big goals for the future, and she encourages everyone to enjoy the journey of building their own wine vocabulary. Keep an eye out for her the next time you visit Napa! Recorded October 24, 2021

This episode features winemaker Cabell Coursey of Coursey Graves in California. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Cabell talks about how he first cut his teeth in the vineyards and cellars of Burgundy, New Zealand, and Willamette Valley before establishing his California career making benchmark wines in the Napa and Russian River valleys. He talks about why he believes in wines that have a sense of place and how he strives to make wines with transparency, revealing not only the character of the vineyard and vintage, but also the history and potential of his craft. We discuss how his care and attention dedicated to each growing season transcends from the vineyard to the cellar. The Coursey Graves 40-acre estate is surrounded by the rugged terrain of Bennett Mountain with southwestern exposure and a volcanic soil composition of red clay, basalt boulders, and shattered rock. Even after two dozen harvests, Cabell recognizes how each one still shapes him as a vintner and winemaker. He also shares what he likes most about coming back to visit his family in Atlanta and how exciting it is to see the Southeast wine scene continue to evolve. Follow @courseygraves to see updates from their estate and learn more about their wine portfolio by visiting www.courseygraves.com. Recorded October 25, 2021

We kick off Season 5 with Katie Rice, owner of VinoTeca in Inman Park. She moved to Atlanta in 2001 after graduating from Miami University (the Ohio one) and found her first fine dining job with Van Gogh’s in Roswell, GA. The wine program was stellar, the staff was seasoned and well-educated, and they took her under their wing. This experience planted the seed for hospitality and wine that would lead to other opportunities managing restaurants furthering her interest in wine. Fast forward to 2014, Katie partnered with Gretchen Thomas of Barcelona Wine Bar to develop VinoTeca - a boutique shop with a tasting component that strives to not only sell great bottles, but also to educate through weekly tastings, monthly classes, and supper club.  In 2019, Katie was given the opportunity to take over the shop and split from the restaurant only to continue the mission of finding a wine into everyone’s palate. Follow @shopvinoteca for events, photos, and "Casual Friday" IG Lives. You can also check out www.shopvinoteca.com to browse their inventory and shop online. Recorded October 20, 2021

For this episode, we time-travel across the ocean to chat with Charly Fatien of Maison Fatien who has been making wine in Burgundy for over 15 years. After starting his domaine with a small parcel of Gevrey-Chambertin “Bel Air” that was handed down to him through his family, he has progressively grown his portfolio. The wines of Maison Fatien are produced from almost 4 hectares of vineyards, worked exclusively by Charly, and the parcels are spread over prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune, Pommard and Volnay. We talk about his philosophy working in the vineyards and the stylistic decisions he makes along the way. He is also a négociant and regularly purchases additional grapes through a very judicious selection process. Charly’s impressive Cistercian cellars are all underground within the old walls of central Beaune - such a beautiful spectacle to see in person! It was an honor to have Charly on the show. His wines are available for purchase through direct shipments - visit https://maison-fatien.com/en or email maisonfatien@wanadoo.fr to inquire. You can also follow @maisonfatien on Instagram. Recorded May 16, 2021

This episode features winemaker Will Hamilton, founder of Violin Wines located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He's been working in the Oregon wine industry since the 2005 vintage when he moved to the West Coast from the DC area to explore the production side of wine. We chat about those early days and what it was like to work with such a wide variety of wineries and vineyards. Over the following years, he had the opportunity to vinify fruit from more than 25 vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills, and more than 100 total in the Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley, Southern Oregon, and Eastern Washington. His skillset led to roles in the service and technical sales side of the industry, but he was simultaneously able to carve out time to begin Violin in the 2013 vintage. We talk about the importance of decision-making in the vineyard as well as how he adjusts for the uniqueness of each growing season to best express the land he works with in the glass. He also provides great insight on the beauty of Oregon as a whole - you'll probably want to plan a trip after listening to this episode. Check out violinwine.com to order his incredible wines, and you can follow his adventures @musicinyourmouth on Instagram. Recorded May 5, 2021

This episode features Cara McBroom, a Certified Sommelier and owner of somm.to.table currently living in Denver, CO. Her first job in the wine industry was working for a small winery in southwest Virginia, but she later found her way into the wine and food scene of Charleston, SC. She worked at multiple fine-dining establishments, became a wine director, and moved into a sales rep position with Breakthru Beverage. We chat about what it was like to manage such a stellar portfolio of wines and spirits, what she likes most about teaching wine education classes, and what ultimately led her to a position as a portfolio specialist for Moët Hennessy. During the pandemic, however, she decided to go back to school for an MBA program focused specifically on wine. In July 2020, she was accepted into the online wine, sustainability, and sales focused MBA program at Weincampus Neustadt in Germany. She also continues to grow her own business as a platform to blog and share information about areas of wine and spirits. You can follow her adventures @somm.to.table on Instagram and stay tuned for the launch of more classes and content on www.sommtotable.com.  Recorded May 4, 2021

This episode time travels from Atlanta to Burgundy as we chat with Nikki Dickerson, a wine writer and communications strategist with a passion for rare varieties and cellar hand experience in both hemispheres. After discovering her passion for wine in the cellars of the Southern Rhône Valley, Nikki left behind a nine-year career in public relations and marketing to forge a new path in wine. Living in Paso Robles, South Australia, Italy, and now France, she has gained experience in international sales while obtaining a global perspective on the industry. As a wine writer, Nikki’s work has been featured on Wine Folly, The Vintner Project, The Refined Society, Cellar Tours, and more. With over 2,000 monthly visitors to her wine blog, she is expertly versed in wine education and trade communications. We talk about her current role as a Content Director for Terra Vine Agency, her perspective on digital marketing's impact on the wine industry, and her interest in pursuing more wine education. She also shares a bit about what life is like in Burgundy, France with her winemaker husband and their plans for a winery and imports business of their own. You can follow her adventures at @palm.and.vine on Instagram and check out www.palmandvine.com to learn about vineyards and cellars around the world. Recorded April 25, 2021

This episode features Taurean Philpott, currently the Beverage Manager at Bacchanalia in Atlanta. He was born in Bermuda where agriculture was a pillar of his youth. We talk about how his upbringing has informed a love for travel, culture, and ultimately wine. His interest in art and design led him to discovering a more serious interest in wine while attending Architecture school. He joined the team at Murphy's in 2015 as a wine consultant during school, but he has since gone on to help open restaurants across Atlanta and greater Atlanta. In 2019, he joined Bacchanalia working closely with their respected wine portfolio and renowned chef-driven menu where his studies have grown to foster a further dedication to education around farming and agriculture in the wine industry. Follow his Instagram @chateauneufdupapi_ for educational live events and fun "what to drink" posts. You can also follow @starprovisions to learn more about the restaurant and beverage program. Recorded April 12, 2021

This episode features Krishna Chapatwala, a professional chef and wine connoisseur. She is delighted to bring her multicultural passion for wine and food to the Atlanta community. After earning a Bachelor of Science and Culinary Arts degrees, she opened local Green Eats in 2009— a personal chef, catering, and cooking class company. She has grown her business by preparing meals for families, intimate dinners, and festive occasions. We talk about how living in Germany influenced her interest in wine, which is where she tried her first Silvaner in Rheingau during a weekend trip from Bavaria to Mainz. After living in Europe and visiting many world-renowned locations, Krishna’s perspective on entertaining, cooking, and wine was transformed. Upon returning to the US, she learned to pair her sense of flavors in food and wine from across the globe. Now, as the owner of a retail shop, she’s bringing her love of wine and her well-honed knowledge about food pairings to everyone who walks into Wine Shoe. You can follow her adventures at @wineshoe on Instagram, and you can check out www.wineshoeatlanta.com to learn about the shop. Recorded April 5, 2021

This episode features sommelier Femi Oyediran, co-owner of Graft Wine Shop in Charleston, South Carolina. We talk about his love of music almost as much as his love of wine in this episode because he says he likes to share the gift of a great glass over the sounds of a great album. We chat about how these two passions now collide within his approach to wine retail and lie at the core of the foundation upon which Graft is built. He discovered his passion for wine while working at the Charleston Grill under the encouragement and mentorship of the former Wine Director, Rick Rubel. We discuss the utility of his award-winning blind tasting skills and how he uses his tasting knowledge to help his customers discover new wines. Among several major accomplishments, he was awarded Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2018 ‘40 Under 40' and was selected as ‘Sommelier of the Year’ along with his co-owner, Miles White, by Food and Wine Magazine in 2019. And while he says he is so thankful for his success and opportunities, he also emphasizes that wine is part of culture and connection that should never blind anyone from the importance of being a good human, first and foremost. You can check out their retail shop at www.graftchs.com and follow @femingtonsteele and @graftchs on Instagram. Recorded March 30, 2021

This episode features Nick Kaiser, a wine geek and music lover, who got his start in the service industry managing cafés. We talk about what he learned from those early days in the coffee industry and how he eventually made the switch to serving and bartending. Through Fifth Group Restaurants in Atlanta, he passionately learned about spirits and craft cocktails until ultimately landing in their fine dining concept, Ecco. He says this is where he truly fell in love with wine. Now working in wine retail, he's the wine buyer at Hop City Craft Beer & Wine's Krog Street Market location with a passion for helping consumers navigate the wide world of natural wine. We talk about this wine category and the multiple aspects of how it can be defined, and he gives a few tips for how to best keep exploring new regions and types of wine production - we even chat about my "wine vs beer" studies given Hop City's incredible inventory for both worlds. You can find him on Instagram at @nickdrinkswine and check out where he works at www.hopcitybeer.com. Recorded March 28, 2021

This episode features Vanessa Raymond, a wine-loving socio-technologist and entrepreneur. Working in tech since 2012, she is committed to software that solves real world problems, improves people’s lives, and makes for a more equitable and just world. She was first introduced to the wide world of wine as an assistant cook on the S.V. Steven Taber from co-owner and wine professional, Jane Barrette Barnes. She went on to work as the assistant to Michael Dorf during the startup phase of City Winery. After leaving New York to join the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Bulgaria, she fell in love with Bulgarian wines and wine traditions for homemade wine and small scale family vineyard. She then spent six months living (and tasting!) in Santa Barbara, and fell in love with wine towns, vineyard landscapes, and great wines. We talk about how these multiple experiences have led to her current project as the founder of an online wine event platform called Telesomm. At Telesomm, customers meet a hand-picked group of sommeliers and wine professionals with a passion for sharing their knowledge, telling the stories of wine, and making wine accessible. We also talk about our shared goal of using wine in ways that brings people together and the ways in which the wine industry continues to evolve. You can connect with her on Instagram at @telesomm.app and learn more about booking wine experiences by checking out https://telesomm.app/. Recorded March 24, 2021

This episode features winemaker Hardy Wallace of Dirty and Rowdy Family Winery. After living in Atlanta, GA while publishing his Dirty South Wine blog, Hardy followed his passion to pursue a career opportunity in the wine industry that moved him out to California. He gained experience and mentorship that led to starting the D&R label in 2010 with one wine while also working for several iconic producers in Napa and Sonoma. The original focus was on producing single vineyard Mourvèdre, and the brand quickly gained a core of true fans. We talk about his winemaking philosophy, how he stays inspired, and what makes his brand unique in the world of wine. He now works with vineyards stretched from Santa Barbara to N. Mendocino (450mi). The winery is in Santa Rosa, CA, but he has found so many innovative ways to strengthen connections with his customers all over the country even during the most challenging times. You can check out www.dirtyandrowdy.com for merch and wine, and you can find him on Instagram at @dirtysouthwine and @dirtyandrowdy.  Recorded March 4, 2020

Jordan is a California native, an internationally-trained chef, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, and a sommelier. She began her culinary career in Sorrento, Italy learning a global perspective on the nuances of food and wine pairing. She is now a WSET 3 and a Spanish Wine Scholar candidate with her own small luxury catering company in Atlanta. She has also been teaching food and wine pairing classes at The Atlanta Wine School for the past few years. Prior to her current role as a Private Wine Sales Advisor for a luxury winemaking estate in Burgundy, she also has worked as a Private Chef and Cellar Consultant for athletes in the NFL and the NBA along with an elite list of celebrity clientele for many years. We chat about her path to wine discovery as well as what she loves most about hosting her in-person and virtual cooking classes, wine pairings, and tastings for producers all over the world that always focus on the marriage of food and wine. You can connect with her on Instagram at @wandering_wino_ and stay up to date on the latest news about her new wine, recipe, and travel blog coming this spring. Recorded on March 1, 2021

This season premiere episode features Jaclyn Fiola, a PhD student and soil scientist in Virginia Tech's School of Plant & Environmental Sciences. She collaborates with vineyards all over the state researching how soil impacts grapevines, fruit, and wine. We chat about the Virginia wine industry, how she got started in this field of study, and how she collaborates with winemakers to support the state's vineyards. The ways in which soil ultimately impacts the wine in our glasses is complicated, but Jaclyn breaks down some helpful insights that shine light on the constant exploration that continues to inspire her research and her fascination with terroir. You can follow her adventures @jaclynsoilsomm on Instagram, and you can learn more about her soil science specialty by checking out www.soilsomm.com. Recorded February 28, 2021

This episode features the husband-wife duo of Limoges Cellars - an up and coming vineyard on 37 acres in Cleveland, Georgia, projected to open in 2023. The vineyard will showcase an initial 5 acres of vines as well as an orchard, edible garden, farm animals, and a small market featuring estate grown produce and various seasonal goods. Dan and Kristina aim to make world class wine from their locally grown vinifera and offer unique interpretations on traditional European wine making styles with a focus on food and wine pairings. Dan hails from Iowa, has an engineering background, and is a project manager by day for an international bottling equipment supplier. Kristina, who grew up between Florida, Germany, and Spain, has an international affairs degree but went on to pursue fulfillment in the food world as a personal chef, caterer, condiment manufacturer, cooking class instructor, and is currently fully immersed in the world of food styling. Along the way at some point, they started teaching themselves about wine and by default, wine and food pairings. We talk about all the professional and personal twists and turns that have led up to this most recent career path of vineyard owners. They say that this newest endeavor perfectly combines each of their unique skillsets while simultaneously challenging them immensely and pushing their fields of expertise beyond any limits they could’ve imagined. You can follow their winemaking journey on Instagram @limogescellars and check out their blog at www.limogescellars.medium.com for all the updates. Recorded December 14, 2020

This episode features Dr. Nadeen White, a physician and award-winning travel blogger who has been practicing medicine for over 20 years while also traveling all over the world. Her blog, The Sophisticated Life, covers the intersection of luxury travel, food, and wine as well as health and medical topics related to travel. We talk about her philosophy and advice related to finding life balance as a content creator, Amazon bestselling author, speaker, travel inspirer, and oenophile who believes in living life to the fullest. Based on the success of her travel guides, she talks about her vision for eventually organizing travel experiences to take small groups along with her to destinations while also providing education about nearby wine regions. She holds a WSET 2 wine certification, is an O, The Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador, a Board Member of the Black Travel Alliance, and one of the first members of Atlanta's Chapter for The Hue Society. We talk about our feelings of hope for the future, breaking down barriers to wine education equity, and the importance of pursuing your passions as a creative outlet. Check out www.thesophisticatedlife.com for all her blog content and follow @thesophislife on social media for her latest updates. Recorded December 10, 2020

This episode features Fermented Wine Boutique in Alpharetta, GA, which was founded by Adam Danielson in May 2018 as a space to introduce amazing people to amazing wines. They support family-owned brands with an emphasis on sustainable farming, low additives, and unique family stories. Adam began his restaurant career at the age of fifteen, from which his interest in wine grew. Throughout his restaurant career, Adam was given opportunities to manage the wine programs of many reputable dining establishments in Amelia Island, FL; Santa Barbara, CA; and Austin, TX. While in Santa Barbara, Adam volunteered often during harvest at local vineyards and learned the process of winemaking. He moved to Atlanta in 2014 where he continued to work in top restaurants until taking a job with the National Distributing Company. We talk about how the culmination of all of these experiences was the "dream come true" of opening Fermented! Wine consultant Aleah James came to Fermented from a professional background in corporate learning and a Masters education in Art History. Her years of passion for wine and wine education, including a 2-year side hustle selling wine to benefit charitable organizations, culminated in the decision to dive head-long into wine retail in 2019 when she joined the Fermented team. You can sign up for their newsletter at www.fermentedatl.com and follow @fermentedwineboutique and connect with Aleah at @pinotandpeach on Instagram. Recorded December 3, 2020

This episode features Leslie Wilson, a passionate and seasoned hospitality professional looking to educate and excite beginning wine enthusiasts as they start their journey into learning, loving, and understanding the world of wine. We talk about why she loves learning about wine and translating it in a way that makes it less intimidating for people who want to dive into tastings and understand more about wine. She started in the industry working part-time on weekends at a private City Club in Roswell, GA and some Sundays at the owner's vineyard in Dahlonega, GA (Wolf Mountain Vineyards). That opportunity then turned into a full-time job managing events and their fine dining restaurant all while sparking more interest in the world of wine. We explore how wine and hospitality intertwines and also why she later transitioned to working as a bartender for almost a decade before making a return to restaurants currently serving at The Optimist in Atlanta for the past five years. It's this current role that has played an integral part of supporting her pursuit of wine education, and the restaurant even paid for her to take the Level 1 Sommelier exam. She is now teaching a weekly wine class to help the staff understand the wines on their list - so I ask her to suggest wines to me based on "what I currently drink" as a way to showcase her skills in helping people explore just outside their comfort zones.  Recorded November 29, 2020

This episode features Chelsea Young, AKA The Winey Redhead, who is an Atlanta native and a wine education enthusiast. After a long career in hospitality, she has recently made the switch to wine distribution with her goals set on education and increasing accessibility. She currently helps to organize a weekly blind tasting group in Atlanta held both virtually and in-person focused creating opportunities for all levels of wine professionals with a lens for supporting diversity in the industry. We talk about the most enjoyable - and the most challenging - aspects of her current role, and we also explore how her skills from working in restaurants have transferred to her customer service skills for her clients. She describes differences among several formal wine education programs, and we have an insightful conversation all about the value of blind tasting. Her perspective on what makes the Atlanta wine community so special is encouraging, and she will continue to bring people together as part of a growing industry in the Southeast. You can follow her @winey.redhead on Instagram for all the latest updates on her upcoming projects.  Recorded November 21, 2020

This episode features Kieran and Kristie Robinson of R Five Wines. Both natives of Philadelphia, they are in the process of opening up a tasting room soon in Downingtown, PA. Winemaker Kieran realized his passion for wine while attending college in Upstate New York and later had the opportunity to learn from the challenges of making wine in a nontraditional wine region--the Philadelphia countryside. This interest in winemaking eventually took them both to Côte-Rôtie in Northern Rhone for an opportunity to work for Domaine Pierre Gaillard where Kieran further fostered an appreciation for the deep-rooted French viticulture and winemaking philosophies. We talk about our mutual love for the magic of the Rhône Valley and how they both then made a big move to Napa Valley where Kristie managed historical societies and museums while Kieran immersed himself in California wine country. After his tenure at Cakebread Cellars, Kieran moved to Sonoma to work under the tutelage of Paul Hobbs. Refining his skills at Jericho Canyon Vineyard with famed winemakers Aaron Pott and Michel Rolland, R Five Wines launched in the 2009 harvest focusing on Rhône varietals. Kieran continues to produce exquisite wines that are true to their time and place, and together, they are bringing a whole new frontier to the east coast wine scene. Seek out these wines for direct shipment, visit www.kieranrobinsonwines.com, and follow @r_five_wines on Instagram for all the latest updates. Recorded November 12, 2020

This episode features Conner Taylor, a wine professional in Atlanta, GA who has been on the distributor side of the wine industry for 12 years. He is currently the Director of Product Knowledge for United Distributors, and we chat a lot about his passion for wine education. While studying for his Certified Sommelier and WSET III last year, he and his wife Jessica - who is also in the wine industry - started brainstorming ways to make blind tasting less intimidating and more fun. After a year of prototyping, they have developed a new blind tasting game that straddles the perfect line of drinking game and info-tainment called Sommify.  Conner demonstrates the features of this new wine game by challenging me to a surprise virtual blind tasting on the show, and then we laugh about the grapes that we always get wrong :) No matter if you are a wine geek or a wine novice, they have created such a fun and accessible way for everyone to learn something new about wine. Check out www.sommify.com and follow @sommify on Instagram for all the latest updates. Recorded October 25, 2020

This episode features Seung Hee Lee - a writer, chef, and Epidemiologist with a PhD in Human Nutrition. Born and raised in Korea, she has studied traditional Korean Royal Court cuisine and serves pop-up dinners all around the world from Copenhagen to Seoul. Seung’s cooking adapts traditional Korean recipes to modern kitchens, and her unique approach to wine pairing is a big part of her culinary adventures and her life in general. We talk about how she first started exploring the world of wine due to forming connections with winemakers and sommeliers, and we dive into what continues to inspire her passion for further wine discovery. She loves to create intimate experiences for lovers of food and natural wine with a side of personal storytelling. These identities come together on her Instagram account, @koreanfusion, and in her cookbook, Everyday Korean. Make sure you listen all the way to the end on this one to soak in all the entertaining insights. To learn more about her recipes and events, check out www.thekoreanfusion.com. Recorded October 30, 2020

Noble Wine Cellar is winemaker Jabe Hilson’s label devoted to the development of Southern wines. Together with his wife Barbara and a select number of growers, Noble Wine Cellar has developed a reputation for high quality wine produced exclusively from locally grown grapes in the Southeast. We talk a lot about their insight on the industry as a whole, but for the Hilsons, it’s all about having the right grape for the region. Their tasting room in downtown Clayton, GA just one hour north of Atlanta welcomes costumers to taste their wines while learning about what makes the region unique alongside other local Georgia products available for purchase. Even with the challenges the outline about 2020, the couple remains hopeful and is preparing for an expanded production in the coming years. You can follow @noble_wine_cellar on Instagram for all the latest updates. Recorded Oct 11, 2020

This episode features Dwight Phyall, better known as "DAP", who lives in the D.C. area but is connected to the Atlanta wine community through friends of the Podcast. He is a Program Manager for a health tech company, OSCAR, in NYC full-time, but he is also a part-time Sommelier at V-NO Wine Bar & Shop in Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland. We chat about how he balances these multiple interests, and he shares what first brought him into the wine world. He highlights how it was a combination of some noteworthy wines and influential people who inspired his current journey. With a genuine passion for the craft, he talks about how he is using an academic approach to explore the various aspects of wine that continue to motivate him to learn and discover. He is the founder of "Wine the Way You Like", a wine curation service launching in the Spring of 2021, and he is also currently studying to obtain his CSW and WSET Level 2 award. Follow him @thedapper_oenophile on Instagram to get all the latest updates on his wine adventures. Recorded Oct 15, 2020

This episode features Tiffany Morris, an inspiring wine professional who recently moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Melbourne, Australia. Prior to moving, she was a Fine Wine Specialist at United Distributors with fifteen years experience in the industry and a deep appreciation for building relationships with her restaurant clients and on-premise colleagues. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine & Spirits, WSET3, and Certified through the Court of Sommeliers. While in Atlanta, Tiffany represented and focused on craft, boutique, and fine specialty brands from many regions globally.  Her team included 22 wine consultants who conducted weekly tastings with top sommeliers in the Southeast. They also hosted wine dinners and tasting events, undertook new brand procurement, and delivered focused producer & regional wine education. She has also spent time in several wine growing regions globally, including working harvest at the prestigious Opus One in the Napa Valley. We talk about what it's like to explore a new country's food and wine culture, and she describes how she is still finding ways to inspire customers to find excitement through constant discovery and wine experiences. Follow her @prettysweetmess on Instagram for captivating photography and thoughtful wine insights. Recorded September 27, 2020

Kacey Ivey is a sales consultant for a national importer and distributor, and she always puts her clients' needs at the top of her priorities. She also values the supportive relationships with her colleagues as much as she values the producers of the wines she sells in her portfolio. We talk about some of the travel and educational experiences that have had the biggest impact on how she studies and speaks about wine. She also shares how she got her start in the wine industry after a brief career in engineering. In addition to studying and reading about wine, she practices yoga, loves to be outdoors, and travels the world. We discuss the utility of blind tasting skills and how she weaves that knowledge into her assessment of wine quality. In 2019, Kacey became the first female champion of the annual "Somm Smackdown" blind tasting competition, and she is currently in the middle of her WSET Diploma studies.  You can ask her for wine recommendations and travel tips by following @sweetkaceyjane on Instagram.  Recorded September 27, 2020.

We are kicking off Season 3 with Stephen James of Uva Imports. After falling in love with nature out West, studying Ecology at the University of Georgia, and pursuing a musical career for 10 years, Stephen developed his passion for nature, art, and history surrounding the world of wine in New York while working at a French restaurant. A few years later, his musical career brought him back to Georgia where he started working in restaurants under mentorship of Chef Hugh Acheson. In 2015, James moved to Atlanta as the opening beverage director for Staplehouse where the focus was on pairing wine with food. Now at Uva Imports, the focus is on connecting small family producers; their history, geography, culture, and individual expression, with wine lovers around the U.S. We talk a lot about the parallels between wine and music, and his multiple career interests highlight the importance of always "listening" to whatever opportunities life brings your way. Part of his job now at a small import company is to make this vast, variegated world of wine more approachable to those getting started. He usually does this by comparing wine to music, often stating “wine does for your taste-buds what music does for your ears. Slow down and take some time to listen to your palate." You can learn more about Uva's tasting events and producers by following @uvaimportants on Instagram and checking out www.uvaimports.com. You can also find Stephen @ragazzi_perduti for additional wine adventures. Recorded live on September 20, 2020.

Sommelier Joon Lim's wine journey started in college by picking up a wine book - and he still recommends that anyone interested in wine do the same. He brings a love for hospitality and education to his profession, but it wasn't until after transitioning from a job working in the coffee industry  that he cultivated his passion for studying wine. Gaining experience serving in restaurants furthered his appreciation for the craft, and he has since worked with some of Atlanta's most talented chefs. From Rathbun's to Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse and now to his current role at Cherokee Town and Country Club, Joon has always enjoyed blending formal education with a thirst for exploration into his approach to helping customers discover new wines. He says he is constantly humbled by the world of wine - such an admirable mindset for a wine professional. He is looking forward to technology innovations for the sommelier profession as a form of resilience during and after the pandemic, and he encourages the industry to focus on shining a brighter light on our small domestic producers and regions. You can connect with him @joon.lim918 on Instagram to see photos of his unicorn wine discoveries and to follow along for all of his sommelier adventures.

This episode featuring Sommelier Chris McLloyd is both inspiring and entertaining - he has such a joyful approach to wine exploration. After first working in the music industry, he gained experience serving at restaurants and ultimately decided to pursue a career in wine. With a combination of both formal and informal wine studies, he transitioned to the wine retail space where he still continues to weave music and an appreciation for culture into his lifestyle as a connector within the Atlanta wine scene. He talks about what makes the Atlanta wine market so unique, and he shines a light on how tasting groups with fellow wine professionals have had an impact on helping to build his wine vocabulary. He also encourages people to partake in blind tasting to expand their palates and to deepen their understanding  of varietal nuances. Before we wrap up, we make predictions for the future of the wine industry during the pandemic, and he's optimistic about the role of wine bars and also excited about the amount of sommelier knowledge transferring to the retail space. You can connect with him on social media @thehiphopsomm to get the latest updates on all his upcoming projects and collaborations. Recorded July 19, 2020

This episode featuring Sommelier Juan Cortés is one of a kind - it will give you a true look behind the wine into his incredible journey to becoming one of Atlanta's most talented wine professionals. Like a series of short stories, he will outline details of experiences that have shaped his perspective and work ethic from a very young age growing up in Colombia. Wine has always been woven into his life, but some of the things he has accomplished along the way will surprise you. After completing an internship at Noma in Cophenhagen, he returned to Atlanta to continue serving as a sommelier at Atlas as well as most recently influencing the wine selection at the Garden Room in Buckhead. He is also one of the founders of the Stanky Wine Pop-Up, which is designed to showcase natural wines and help people connect with local chefs in a whole new way. He gives "The Most Interesting Man in the World" a run for his money - a true storyteller with a unique appreciation for how wine interacts with all other aspects of life. You can follow him on Instagram @sommjuan and let him pick out wines for you at Savi Provisions on Roswell Road. In the Podcast thumbnail photo, he is wearing a facemask that he made out of Riedel microfiber typically used for polishing glassware.  Recorded July 17, 2020

Sarah Pierre, an Atlanta native, has been the owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta's Glenwood Park neighborhood since 2013. She moved into the wine world from restaurants and brings her expertise in hospitality and service to her wine shop. She laughs as she recalls the mixed emotions from that first day opening the doors and welcoming customers, but she also reflects fondly on how much their hard work has paid off over the years to build relationships and memories with clients. Her perspective on what makes the Atlanta market so unique is to be admired - she says there's an underestimated amount of knowledge and buying power here in the Southeast and she's excited about where we are heading. The shop's multiple wine club program recently earned national recognition in being named one of "America's 50 Best Wine Retailers" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and they've been helping people continue their wine exploration safely during COVID-19 by offering online shopping and curbside pickup options. Sarah talks about her enriching wine travels, her welcoming approach to wine education, and her enthusiasm for connecting with people through wine. For her latest news and updates, you can visit www.3parkswine.com and follow @3parkswine and @sarahpierre1 on Instagram. #ATLwinescene Recorded June 29, 2020

This episode features Whitney Blue, wine educator of @winewithwhitney and sales rep for Prime Wine and Spirits based in Atlanta, GA. We talk about her experiences working in retail, restaurants, and distribution and how she continues to be drawn into the story aspect of the wine industry. She recalls taking a wine class during her senior year of college in Florida and how that sparked a deeper interest in expanding her wine education. Now, in her current sales role, she thrives off building strong relationships with her clients and customers as well as learning from her mentors in the Atlanta wine community. Her tastings, events, and wine pairing dinners allow for making connections with people who share her passion for wine. We talk about how she also effectively utilizes social media as an important tool for having authentic, meaningful conversations woven into her stories of wine exploration. I can't wait to see the impact of her scholarship program and to hear more about her upcoming collaborations with other ATL wine professionals. Follow her on Instagram for all the latest updates!  Recorded June 21, 2020

This episode features Ahry Ko, the Corporate Beverage Director for Savi Provisions based in Atlanta, GA. She first moved to Atlanta for college at Emory University with her eyes set on attending law school, but she decided to pursue her passion for wine and has already established herself as a talented sommelier in the southeast market. We talk about all the ways she weaves her approach for academic studies into her approach for wine education and what it was like to attend her first Atlanta tasting group with other wine professionals when she was just 21 years old. We share a mutual love for all things Burgundy, and we discover that we share a philosophy about making any moment the "right moment" for Champagne. She speaks 6 languages and brings a global perspective to the wine industry with a deep appreciation for terroir. You can follow her @its_kobo on Instagram. Recorded June 7, 2020

Certified Sommelier Pepe Fundora grew up in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and his passion for helping people discover new wines lies at the core of all his work. His family owns and operates an Italian restaurant in Alpharetta, GA called Casa Nuova that is extremely connected to the local community. They are known not only for their incredible food and wine program, but also for their generous outreach and fundraising efforts for their local community organizations. Pepe tells me about his time studying engineering at Georgia Tech followed by recounting his wine journey with experiences like working harvests in Napa Valley and Italy where he connected deeply with the farming and engineering aspects of viticulture. We also chat about the Atlanta wine community and what it makes it so unique. Visit www.casanuovarestaurant.com for information about the restaurant, and you can follow Pepe's wine adventures @pepeasomm and @cork.and.glass on Instagram. Recorded May 31, 2020 #makingwineaccessible

Perrine Prieur grew up in France just a few miles from Chablis on her family's farm. Her connection to nature and vineyards started at a very young age, and her passion for food and wine continued to grow while studying culinary arts and hospitality. Upon graduating from Le Castel sommelier school, she moved to London to work in Michelin 3 star restaurant La Gavroche. Her wine career eventually took her to Atlanta in 2006 where she found her calling to open a boutique wine shop reflecting her vision to create a meeting place for the community where people could come to learn, connect, and enjoy. We chat about her upbringing and her philosophies on which she has built the shop, and she shares her insights about what makes the Atlanta wine scene so special. Visit www.perrineswine.com to shop online, learn about upcoming events., and sign up for their e-newsletter. You can also follow @perrineswine on Instagram. Recorded May 17, 2020

This episode features Katie Melchior, a French-speaking blogger and educator based in New York City, who is quickly becoming a leading voice in the digital wine world. She has a wealth of knowledge in French culture and is using her unique online platform to educate and inspire both wine novices and professionals to explore the deep connection between language and place. Using her additional experience in digital advertising and social media, she has established her own brand through blogging and creating educational pronunciation videos as well as connecting with other wine professionals around the world. We talk about her early study abroad experiences and how they have impacted her wine knowledge as well as how living in NYC has fostered a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded food and wine professionals. Check out her blog posts at www.frenchwinetutor.com and follow her on Instagram @frenchwinetutor where you can send her your own French pronunciation requests - santé! Recorded May 10, 2020

This episode explores a slightly different aspect of the wine industry through the media lens of journalist and freelance lifestyle writer, Lia Picard. She is based in Atlanta and reports on food, spirits, travel, decor, and more for a wide variety of online and print publications such as The Washington Post, CNN Travel, Bon Appétit, Playboy, Zagat, Eater, and Atlanta Magazine. Some of her recent work has highlighted the Atlanta wine industry in national outlets, such as Wine Enthusiast, and we've discovered a mutual interest for showcasing the people who are shaping the Atlanta wine scene. We discuss how she is always striving to make connections with local chefs, farmers, and beverage pioneers to uncover the unique stories that feature a personal aspect behind the craft. She also talks about the process of pitching wine stories to the media, her strategies for finding inspiration, and the import concept of intention. For a full list of her published articles, check out her portfolio on www.liapicard.com and follow @liapicard for her food and beverage adventures on Instagram. Recorded May 2, 2020

Sommelier Janeen Jason is one of the welcoming faces you see whenever you shop for wine at VinoTeca in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta, but she's also a talented blind taster and a dedicated mentor for other young wine professionals. More than just a retail store, VinoTeca is also a venue for educational events and tastings that are designed to welcome everyone interested in taking their wine knowledge to the next level. Janeen talks about making the transition from restaurants to retail and how she continues to connect with fellow wine professionals through her own tasting groups and studies. Their shop focuses on celebrating wines from small producers who prioritize their farming practices and also aims to provide quality at all price points. You can find out more about their inventory at www.shopvinoteca.com and you can see how they collaborate to support other local businesses and charitable causes by following them on Instagram @shopvinoteca. Recorded April 28, 2020

This episode takes us virtually to Chattanooga, TN for a visit with Mariano and Angelia Cebrián of Panoram Imports to talk about their portfolio of wines from Argentina. This husband-wife duo met in Georgia during college, but their import business brings Mariano's Argentine culture to the Southeast wine market through their connections with small, quality producers in Mendoza and Salta that they hand-pick for the best quality and value. Their wines come from high altitude vineyards and unique regions in proximity to the Andes Mountains. We chat about their asado catering business and their group travel excursions as well as their new empanada delivery service created in the time of social distancing. You can visit www.panoramimports.com for information about their wines and event services, and you can check out their @panoramimports Instagram page to travel along with them on future vineyard tours. Salud! Recorded April 26, 2020 

This international episode features Adeline Borra, a chef and wine instructor living in Beaune, France. She is creating unique wine and food experiences at her home in Burgundy as part of "Terroirs by Adeline" and is welcoming food and wine lovers from around the world for events and classes. She grew up in France with a distinguished family history in the wine business, but she also attended culinary school in Italy and has trained alongside Michelin-starred Chefs from around the world. So, what makes her an honorary part of the Atlanta wine industry? From 2006, for more than 10 years, she lived in Atlanta sharing her passion for food & wine as a private chef, a cooking instructor, and a contributor for Atlanta Magazine. Her roots still run deep among clients and friends in both France and Georgia, and she welcomes any ATL wine travelers to reach out when planning a trip to Burgundy. Visit www.terroirsbyadeline.com for details about her custom experiences, and follow her adventures @terroirsbyadeline on Instagram. "it always comes back to Burgundy...." Recorded April 24, 2020

Sean Omar is the founder and owner of The Wine Guide in Atlanta, GA. He brings his passion for wine culture and world travels to his business of curating wine orders for his clients, hosting in-home tastings, and building partnerships with local wine shops. He studied abroad in Argentina and Spain during college, and he continues to weave his knowledge from those experiences into his wine education and services. Check out www.thewineguideatl.com and don't hesitate to send him a DM on Instagram @thewineguideatl #stayhome  Recorded April 19, 2020

Clarke Anderson is a talented sommelier serving as beverage manager for Ford Fry’s restaurants, such as King + Duke, St. Cecilia, and No. 246 in Decatur. He has a wealth of experience working in restaurants and traveling for wine, and he capitalizes on his passion for hospitality and wine education in his current role. We chatted about how he got started in his wine career by picking up a book at a yard sale and how his journey has led him to becoming a mentor for other aspiring wine professionals as a founding member of the Southeastern Sommelier Society. You can catch him on instagram at @clarkeanderson and also follow @sommsouth for education opportunities - www.sommsouth.org

Eric Miller is the son of Bob and Jane Miller, the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. He is the General Manager of the winery business, and he shared a lot of interesting insight about winery management when I visited the family's home on the North Georgia property for an afternoon chat. We talked about the past, present, and future of Georgia wine. You can find him in the tasting room when you visit for a tour, and he also plays live music with his dad at the winery on the weekends. Check out their upcoming events to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media.  Recorded June 2019

Bob and Jane Miller are the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. I sat down with them for a chat in their beautiful North Georgia home to learn about how they started their vineyard and what makes them unique. When they bought the property, they didn't even plan on planting a vineyard - but now they are putting Georgia wine country on the map with their California-style varietals and gorgeous event facilities. You can learn more about their tours and tastings to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media. Recorded June 2019  

Nancy Waldeck is a chef, cookbook author, public speaker, and wine specialist. She leads and delivers more than 100 events and classes per year in Atlanta and beyond. Calling herself a "Healthy Chef Partyologist" and serving as an Emory University certified health coach, she thrives at the intersection of health, food, and wine. She is sharing her knowledge with students and clients, and she loves to help people build confidence in their ability to pair food with wine. You can find more about her services and travel adventures at www.tasteandsavor.com or follow @chefnancy on Instagram.  Recorded May 2019

Dana Gurela is the owner of Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room located in historic downtown Roswell, GA. She is a California Wine Appellation Specialist and has passed her WSET Level 2 exam. Her shop hosts special events and workshops that allow people to explore all that California has to offer right in the heart of Georgia. With experience working out in the Bay Area, she is bringing her passion for supporting these California producers and former colleagues to her customers through fun and educational wine experiences. Check out their events calendar at www.deeprootswine.com and follow their wine adventures on social @deeprootswinemkt  Recorded May 2019

Travis Green is the winemaker at Atlanta's City Winery. He is a huge supporter of the Georgia wine industry, and he is making many wines from Georgia-grown grapes right in the heart of an urban environment. Born and raised in the North Georgia mountains, he is bringing his enthusiasm and terrior-driven expertise to his winemaking with appreciation for what Georgia is able to produce. Learn more about City Winery Atlanta at www.citywinery.com/atlanta and stop in next time you're in town to sip some fantastic Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  Recorded April 2019

Faielle Stocco is Partner and Bar Manager of East Atlanta Village's Banshee, but she is no stranger to the ATL food and beverage scene. With a true passion for all things wine, she is in charge of designing the restaurant's selection with an eye for both quality and variety. She gained experience working for several restaurants in Atlanta before diving into this business, and it's exciting to see the energy that she continues to bring to the industry. You can find out more about Banshee online at www.banshee-atl.com and follow them on social @banshee_eav.  Recorded April 2019

Tyler Barnes is the co-founder of Accent Cellars located two minutes from downtown Dahlonega, GA. He and his brother-in-law are sourcing grapes from farms in Georgia, California, and Texas to craft their wines that they sell from their tasting room. He is enthusiastic about the future of North Georgia's wine country, and he brings a contagious energy to the industry. You can learn more about their winemaker dinners and events online at www.accentcellars.com and follow them @accentcellars on Instagram.  Recorded March 2019

A familiar and friendly face of the Atlanta wine scene, Tim Willard is the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Charlotte-based importer, European Cellars. He is a passionate wine educator who also has experience working in the high-end restaurant industry. He has completed the Advanced Sommelier course through the Court of Master Sommeliers and loves to use his wine knowledge as a way to meet new people and build connections. You can follow him on Instagram at @twillard06 to stay up to date on any of his tastings or events.  Recorded February 2019

Bringing a new portfolio to Atlanta's wine scene, Emmanuel Faure was born and raised in the Rhône Valley of Southern France. He began working in restaurants as a teenager with many talented chefs before discovering a career in wine. After spending time as a sommelier in Los Angeles, he moved his family to Georgia where he has now started his own wine distribution company, One On Wine. Find out more about the wines of One on Wine at www.oneonwine.com and follow Emmanuel's posts at @manu_one_on_wine on Instagram.  Recorded February 2019

Melissa Davis, formerly the beverage director at Staplehouse, was named Atlanta's 2018 "Rising Star Sommelier" by Star Chefs. She was born in Oklahoma but has been an Atlanta resident for many years and got her start by working in tea, coffee, and food service before moving into wine. Having been involved with the beverage programs at many of Atlanta's fine dining restaurants, she loves to focus on providing an educational experience for her guests and tries to build off-the-beaten-path wine lists. She is now overseeing the efforts to open Hazel Jane's Wine Bar & Coffee in the Old Fourth Ward near the Atlanta Beltline under management of Birmingham-based Revelator Coffee. You can follow them online at @hazeljanesatl on Instagram. Recorded February 2019

For a slightly different perspective on wine in the Southeast, I caught up with Mara Davis, a leading voice for Atlanta's food and dining scene. She is a radio personality, a brand ambassador, and a co-host for Atlanta Eats. She is well-known for her insight on Atlanta's restaurants and has hosted events for Taste of Atlanta among many other emcee appearances. We chatted about food trends and bad hashtags on a Sunday evening while lounging with our pets. You can find her @maradavis on Twitter and @maradavis2000 on instagram.  Recorded January 2019

Larissa Dubose is a wine educator and founder of The Lotus & The Vines. She is creating approachable content for all levels of wine drinkers with more than 8 years in the wine & spirits industry. She brings her savvy wine skills and marketing experience to her role as the On-Premise Manager here in Georgia for two luxury California-based wineries. You can find her online by following @lotusvinewine and checking out www.thelotusandthevines.com  Recorded January 2019

Tamara Vrooman Lucas, a resident of Atlanta, founded The Commonwealth Collective to showcase the best of Virginia wine with a range of products and focused marketing in Georgia. Her parents own Ankida Ridge Vineyards in Virginia, and she has created a way for people in the Southeast to experience a variety of high end Virginia wines.  Recorded January 2019

Manj deSilva is a familiar face in the Atlanta wine industry, and he has lots of valuable insight to share. Currently a Regional Sales Representative for a Slovenian wine import company, he has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the wine industry including wine retail management. Follow his adventures on Instagram: @decatur_wine_poet  Recorded January 2019

I went live on the road with Billie Harris, Vinologist and Founder of The Vino Van, LLC. We chat about all things wine and how she is shaping the wine scene here in Atlanta. You can find out more about her tours to North Georgia Wine Country at www.thevinovan.com and follow her on social media at @thevinovanllc.  Recorded November 2018