This is another Best of Cork Talk episode featuring David Bower and Sarah Bowman of the Shelton-Badgett NC Center for Viticulture and Enology at Surry Community College! When we first sat down with David several years ago, we discussed the Center’s role in supporting North Carolina’s wine industry through education, research, and hands-on training for growers and winemakers. As one of the region’s leading resources for viticulture and enology education, the program has continued to evolve alongside the rapidly changing Southeastern wine industry.
In this update, we reconnect with David and welcome Sarah to the podcast for the first time. Together, they share how the program has expanded its research into muscadines and other sustainable grape varieties, new approaches to vineyard management, and ongoing efforts to prepare students for careers in the wine industry. We also discuss new wine projects coming out of the teaching winery, including expanded rosé and sparkling wine programs, student-led experiments under the Surry Labs label, and the upcoming Southeastern Grape and Wine Symposium. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, grower, or industry professional, this episode offers a fascinating look at the innovation and education happening right here in North Carolina.
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This episode was made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. For more information, please visit https://www.ncwine.org
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