Cork Talk

We’re celebrating North Carolina Wine Month with an episode featuring Ashley Nicholas from Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC! Hinnant Family Vineyards started in 1972 as contract grape growers specifically for the muscadine varieties. After several years of growing fruit, they transitioned into the you-pick and fresh market industry. It was only natural that they started making wine...

This month it’s another Best of Cork Talk episode featuring Chuck and Jamey Johnson from Shadow Springs Vineyard & Windsor Run Cellars in Hamptonville, NC! We first interviewed Chuck and Jamey back in 2019 and released their episode in August of that year. We had a chance to catch up with them recently and that update is at the end of the episode where they tell us about the improvements...

In this episode of Cork Talk, we talk with Alan Ward from Saint Paul Mountain Farms in Hendersonville, NC! Saint Paul Mountain Farms produces wine as Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and ciders as Appalachian Ridge Hard Cider. In this conversation, we touch on the history of the farm, what it means to be producing quality wines an ciders, and just how important preserving agricultural land is. Wine C...

Our first episode in our “Best of Cork Talk” series is revisiting our conversation with Charles and Ann Edwards from Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard in Lawndale, NC! Charles and Ann planted grapes on Ann’s family farm back in 2003. We discuss their inspiration for why they wanted to grow grapes and their desire to keep the farm in the family as well as up and running. We really enjo...

Welcome to Season 6 of Cork Talk! We’re kicking off our new season with an interview with Laura and David Comer from Gioia dell Amore Cellars in Mayodan, NC! Laura and David purchased the vineyard at Autumn Creek as part of their mission to Scatter Joy. Their name and their mission is deeply linked in their history and they have a passion for bringing joy to everything they do. One quick pro...

It’s a special Holiday Episode of Cork Talk! We invited a few of our fellow blogger and influencer friends to join us as we reflect on 2023 and talk about a few of our favorite things. In this episode you’ll hear from DeLauren Everitt of Blends & Blubbly , Jesse and Jessica of the Wine Mouths , Natalie Hampton of Tarheel Taps & Corks , Delayne and Andrew from Winey Friends , an...

This episode features Hailey Klepcyk, the current President of the North Carolina Winegrowers Association ! Hailey gives us a brief history of the association. When then move into discussing the upcoming annual Winegrowers Conference taking place in February 2024. After the break, we talk about the ongoing events that are hosted around the state including the Taste of NC wine pairing events as wel...

This episode features Jan Olsen from FernCrest Winery in Andrews, NC! Jan tells us about how she got her start planting a vineyard. Everything they do at FernCrest Winery, both at the vineyard site and the tasting room show how much they are trying to protect the environment. Jan also tells us about the inspiration for the name FernCrest and how that has made an impact in more ways than one. Wine...

This episode features Steve Thompson from Nottely River Valley Vineyards in Murphy, NC! Steve talks to us about growing grapes in South Western North Carolina and how that is different than other parts of the state. He planted his vineyard in 2008 with a mix of vinifera and hybrid grapes with many of his plantings still existing today. Since then, he’s been working to figure out what grows w...

This episode features Erik Mitran and Erick Hurtado from Fire Clay Cellars in Siler City, NC! Erik and Erick tell us what it’s like making wine in the lower Haw River AVA. They’re constantly exploring different techniques to make the most of their climate all with the goal of making really good wine. As a family run small business, you really feel the care and passion everyone puts int...

This episode features Dave Coventry and Andrew Gorczyca from Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon, NC! Dave and Andrew tell us how they’re working hard to demystify wine without robbing it of its magic. Over the past few years since Andrew’s family purchased the vineyard, they have been investing in the property and transforming the experience for customers. Wine Class with the Wine Mouth...

Welcome back for part two! This episode features Bob Binns, Cory Lillberg, Justin Taylor and special guest Karen Parker from Parker-Binns Vineyards in Mill Spring, NC! The team at Parker-Binns Vineyard are doing some great things. They are making the most of their terroir and producing some outstanding wines, while also creating an environment that is family friendly where you can come relax, have...

This episode features Bob Binns, Cory Lillberg, and Justin Taylor from Parker-Binns Vineyards in Mill Spring, NC! The team at Parker-Binns Vineyard are doing some great things. They are making the most of their terroir and producing some outstanding wines, while also creating an environment that is family friendly where you can come relax, have fun, and enjoy some great North Carolina Wine. Wine C...

This episode features Cathy and Dan McLaughlin creators of Our Wine Flights , founding members of Fine Wines of North Carolina and documentarians who filmed Healthy Hope ! Cathy and Dan are passionate about helping people in the industry. By establishing the Fine Wines of North Carolina they are seeking to elevate the profile of North Carolina Wine and attract new customers. Their documentary Heal...

This episode features Brianna Burns from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services! In her role, she serves as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council . Her focus is to promote and elevate North Carolina Wine as a brand and to get people to try North Carolina Wine. In the second half, we talk about what North Carolina Wine means and how we can e...

We’re talking Cider! In this episode, we talk with Katie Moore and Dan Fowler of Barn Door Ciderworks in Fairview, NC! The philosophy behind the ciders at Barn Door Ciderworks is that you should embrace the natural flavors of the apples themselves. This rustic simplicity is something that shines through in each of the ciders they make. This also make the ciders incredibly food friendly and m...

Welcome to Season 5 of Cork Talk! In this episode, we talk with Mat Worrell and Katy Kidd the winemakers at Dynamis Estate Wines in Jonesville, NC! At Dynamis Estate Wines, you’ll find an elevated wine tasting experience in pursuit of defining a premium brand for North Carolina Wine. Mat and Katy talk to us about how this is a winemaker driven experience and how they’re continuing to p...

It’s a special Holiday Episode of Cork Talk! We invited a few of our fellow blogger and influencer friends to join us as we reflect on 2022 and talk about a few of our favorite things. In this episode you’ll hear from DeLauren Everitt of Blends & Blubbly , Jessie and Jessica of the Wine Mouths , Arthur Barham of Merlot2Muscadine and Natalie Hampton of Tarheel Taps & Corks ! Win...

In this episode, we talk with Kari and Mark Barber of Pilot Mountain Vineyards in Pinnacle, NC! Kari and Mark purchased an established vineyard with a vision to make the most of the view. Their passion for hospitality is a driving force in how they make each guest feel welcome and at home. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time Jesse and Jessica tell us about TCA, more commonly known a...

In this episode, we talk with Donna and Greg Hutchins from Cellar 4201 in East Bend, North Carolina! Donna and Greg decided to plant a vineyard back in 2003. Once they had grapes growing, they established their customer base by contracting their winemaking with a local custom crush company and began selling their wines at wine festivals across the area. Once they started, there was no going back....

In this episode, we visited Daveste Vineyards and talked with Caroline Karrick and Meg Tipton. Caroline become one of the owners of the vineyard in 2019 and Meg joined as winemaker in 2020. Since joining Daveste Vineyards, Caroline and Meg have been making improvements both in the tasting room and the winery. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time Jesse and Jessica tell us about lacton...

This is a special episode of Cork Talk. We sit down with Amy Michael Theuret, the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Coordinator from the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to talk about a very important topic. The Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species of leafhoppers that feed on several important plants and crops including grap...

Join us for part two of our conversation with Mark Friszolowski, the wine maker at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC! We continue our discussion focusing in on quality wines, what goes into making a great product, and how the wines at Childress can be considered iconic southern wines. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time Jesse and Jessica tell us about rotundness. For more informa...

In this episode, we visited Mark Friszolowski, the wine maker at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC for an extended interview! Mark joined Richard Childress in opening the vineyard and winery in the early 2000s. Since then, Mark has been a fixture in the North Carolina wine industry and has made elevating the quality of North Carolina Wine a driving force in his work. This is part one of a speci...

In this episode, we sit down with Larry and Elisabeth Mueller from Brandon Hills Vineyard in Yadkinville, NC. Larry and Elisabeth purchased the vineyard just over 5 years ago as a way for Larry to embrace his passion for wine. They have made some major changes at the vineyard and have more planned for the future. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time Jesse and Jessica tell us about te...