To kick off our blog, we’ll be traveling to the Northern Virginia wine region and the Middleburg Virginia AVA. Five days in this area should give us a good taste of the local offerings at the dozens of wineries and breweries.
Tasting notes, favorites and other comments to follow. Stay tuned!
In this episode, we gathered four special guests to help us have an engaging discussion as we remember 2024. You’ll hear from Dave Nirshi author of Vino-Sphere, Arthur Barham creator of Merlot2Muscadine, Natalie Hampton author of Tarheel Taps and Corks, and Hailey Klepcyk President of the North Carolina Winegrowers Association. As we wrap up 2024,Continue reading →
This episode we go back to the beginning and revisit Jones von Drehle Vineyards in Thurmond, NC! Jones von Drehle was our first episode that we ever recorded. This time, we visited the vineyard when they had a special Sip and Savor wine and food event event to celebrate their own 10 year anniversary. WeContinue reading →
This month we have another Best of Cork Talk episode, featuring Michael Zimmerman of Junius Lindsay Vineyard in Welcome, NC! In this episode, we pay tribute to Michael who passed away on September 12, 2024. Over the years, we grew to appreciate our friendship with Michael as each visit brought something new. Junius Lindsay isContinue reading →
This episode features Dylan and Nicole Tatum from Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Banner Elk, NC! Dylan and Nicole tell us about how Grandfather Vineyard got started back in 2003. Over time, they found that hybrid grape varieties thrive in the cooler climate of the Appalachian High Country AVA, producing wines with high acidity andContinue reading →
This month it’s another Best of Cork Talk episode featuring Kim and Benny Myers from Laurel Gray Vineyards in Hamptonville, NC! We interviewed Kim and Benny back in 2019 and featured the episode Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do in July of that year. Fast forward 5 years and a lot has changed! There haveContinue reading →
We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary as the North Carolina Wine Guys with a special anniversary episode! This episode features a discussion with our friends Jessica Adams and Jesse Byrd, you may know them as the Wine Mouths! They’re also celebrating 10 years so we thought it would be great for us to reflect on ourContinue reading →
This month it’s another Best of Cork Talk episode featuring Ben and Becky Starr from Starrlight Mead & Cider in Pittsboro, NC! We interviewed Ben and Becky back in 2019 and featured the episode Mead Making Starrs in November of that year. Fast forward 5 years and a lot has changed! They have not onlyContinue reading →
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 thatContinue reading →
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 thatContinue reading →
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 qualityContinue reading →
One of our favorite North Carolina Wine regions to visit is the area just south of Asheville surrounding Hendersonville, NC. There you’ll find 7 unique wineries and vineyards each with a distinctive setting. This region also hosts an American Viticulture Area known as the Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County. We recently had theContinue reading →
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 keepContinue reading →
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 inContinue reading →
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,Continue reading →
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 theContinue reading →
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 inspirationContinue reading →
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 plantingsContinue reading →
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 aContinue reading →
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 experienceContinue reading →
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 thatContinue reading →
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, haveContinue reading →
May is North Carolina Wine Month. Celebrate everything you love about #NCWine!
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 CarolinaContinue reading →
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. InContinue reading →
Open that Bottle of North Carolina Wine Night is back to help celebrate North Carolina Wine Month!
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 cidersContinue reading →
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 usContinue reading →
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,Continue reading →
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 ClassContinue reading →
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 atContinue reading →
Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time Jesse and Jessica tell us about lactones. For more information about the Wine Mouths, head to https://www.winemouths.com/ or find them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @Winemouths. The Wine Mouths theme was written and performed by Joshua Morris. You can find him at twitter.com/joshtimejosh. Closing ContentContinue reading →
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 onContinue reading →
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 isContinue reading →
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 NorthContinue reading →
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 theContinue reading →
In this episode, we sit down with Jonah Hoosier of Stony Knoll Vineyards in Dobson, NC. Jonah is director of operations at Stony Knoll which includes vineyard management and winemaker. Stony Knoll Vineyard is situated on a century family farm that has been farmed for over 120 years. Jonah is part of the sixth generationContinue reading →
The Annual Cider, Wine, and Dine weekend comes once again to Henderson County!
May is North Carolina Wine Month. Celebrate everything you love about #NCWine!
The proposed Tryon Foothills AVA will be North Carolina’s seventh AVA located in the eastern two thirds of Polk County.
This episode features Nico von Cosmos from Stardust Cellars in North Wilkesboro, NC! At Stardust Cellars, Nico focuses on recreating ancient winemaking techniques including overwintering, ancestral sparkling wines and meads, and wild fermentations. Biodynamic practices in winemaking and farming are also a driving force that sets Stardust Cellars apart from the others. Biodynamic is anContinue reading →
The Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County is North Carolina’s sixth AVA located in most of Henderson County.
