Cork Talk Season 7

Sep

2025

Pouring Heart into Hospitality: the JOLO Experience

In this episode of Cork Talk, we feature JW Ray, owner of JOLO Winery & Vineyards in Pilot Mountain, NC and Rayson Winery & Vineyards in Mocksville, NC! JW discusses his journey from being brought up in a hospitality family to becoming an entrepreneur and winemaker here in North Carolina.

We explore the philosophy behind the award winning wines at JOLO and Rayson and how JW is pushing to elevate the experience through exceptional hospitality. By setting the bar high for how guests are treated, JW shows that it’s the people that matter and that make a memorable moment.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about how chromatography is used in the winemaking process! 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.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Aug

2025

Best of Cork Talk: Spotted Lanternfly – A Vineyard Threat

It’s another Best of Cork Talk episode, this time we revisit our conversation with Amy Michael, the Entomological Programs Manager with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is spreading here in North Carolina and across the Southeast. Stick around for the end of the episode where Amy gives us a quick update about new tools, partnership, and approaches for how to deal with this invasive pest.

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear mention of specific sites and resources to visit. Here are a few recommendations to get you started on the right path:

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services: SLF Resource Page
NC State Extension – Gardening NC: SLF Resource Page
NC Cooperative Extension: SLF Resource Page
Find your County Extension Office

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Jul

2025

Rooted in Passion and Stone

This episode features Craig Little and Heath Little from Stone Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville, NC! Stone Ashe is situated on a dramatic landscape of steep rolling hills with stunning views. As a small family-run vineyard and winery, they are able to concentrate on their deep commitment to viticulture and winemaking.

In this episode, we sat down with Heath and Craig in their brand-new winery production facility. The conversation proved to be enlightening and deeply meaningful. We learned about their passion for grape growing, wine making, and educating visitors about what it means to support local wine. Though Craig was facing health challenges that day, he lit up when we when we started to talk about his love for growing grapes and making wine. This episode captures one of his final opportunities to speak about the work he loved, and we’re honored to share it with you.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about SO2 and how it’s used in the winemaking process! 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. We also featured a Sparkling Rosé of Nobel from Erik Martella Wines, find out more here: https://erikmartellawines.com

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Jun

2025

Best of Cork Talk: Overmountain Vineyards

We’re featuring another Best of Cork Talk episode, this time we look back at our conversation with Sofia Lily at Overmountain Vineyards in Tryon, NC! We catch up on how the tasting room has evolved over the past 5 years to enhance your experience when you visit. Wine quality continues to be a focus and Sofia talks to us about how they continue to push boundaries.

During our recap conversation, we also discussed the impact of Hurricane Helene to Western North Carolina and how Sofia and Overmountain Vineyards were involved in the recovery efforts. Sofia partnered with a nearby dairy, Big Bottom Milk Company to switch over to bottling fresh water for anyone who needed. Through their efforts they eventually turned into a support hub for the region.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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May

2025

Where the Mountains Meet the Vines – Souther Williams Vineyard

This episode features Ken Parker from Souther Williams Vineyard in Fletcher, NC! We recorded this episode sitting outside their open air tasting room on a perfect spring afternoon. Ken talked to us about what it’s like growing grapes on his family’s multi-generational farm and what the future of wine looks like in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA in Western North Carolina.

Nestled in Hoopers Creek Valley between Hendersonville, NC and Fletcher, NC, Souther Williams Vineyard is in a picturesque setting. The 85-acre farm is situated on a mix of rolling hillsides and fertile flat plains. When you visit, you’ll enjoy a laid-back mountain charm and a unique tasting experience.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about Acidity in wine and how to measure it during the winemaking process. 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.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Apr

2025

Best of Cork Talk: Marked Tree Vineyard

We’re featuring another Best of Cork Talk episode, this time we revisit our conversation with Lance Hiatt and Tim Parks from Marked Tree Vineyard in Flat Rock, NC! We catch up about how things have changed over the past 5 years including a brand new production facility and other changes that help to elevate North Carolina Wine.

Marked Tree Vineyard is situated on the Eastern Continental Divide. Water on one side of the vineyard eventually runs into the Atlantic Ocean while on the other side it runs into the Gulf of Mexico. This unique location is an excellent site for growing grapes, producing wine, and simply relaxing and enjoying nature.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Mar

2025

Weathering the Storm: Western NC Wine and Hurricane Helene

In this episode of Cork Talk, we explore the impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina’s wine industry. Hear firsthand stories of resilience and recovery from local wineries and vineyards. Discover how the community has faced challenges and adapted in the aftermath of the storm. Join us for an inspiring look at the strength and determination of North Carolina’s wine industry.

For this discussion, we bring together six Western North Carolina wineries and vineyards. You’ll hear from Jeff Frisbee from Addison Farms Vineyard, Lance Hiatt and Tim Parks from Marked Tree Vineyard, Dave Coventry from Mountain Brook Vineyards, Cory Lillberg from Parker-Binns Vineyard, Alan Ward from Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, and Heath Little from Stone Ashe Vineyards.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about Hydrometers! 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.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Feb

2025

Best of Cork Talk: Dover Vineyards

We’re featuring another Best of Cork Talk episode, this time it’s our discussion with Elizabeth Anne Dover Bishop from The Farm at Dover Vineyards in Concord, NC! Our original interview was back in 2020 and was our first one that we did in a remote setup and we look back on this as one to remember.

We caught up with Elizabeth Anne during the 2025 North Carolina Winegrowers annual conference to see how things are going at the vineyard and farm. Our recap with Elizabeth Anne is at the end of the episode so be sure to listen!

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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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Jan

2025

Creating American Fine Wine

Our first episode of our 7th season features Erik Martella from Erik Martella Wines! Erik has a formal education in chemistry and an extensive background in winemaking in California. When he moved to the Southeast, he became fascinated by the concept of creating uniquely American Fine Wine. This quest aims to break away from European grape standards and embrace native North American grape varieties.

Erik Martella is committed to exploring the Muscadine grape and pushing the boundaries of what Muscadine wine can be. He is elevating Muscadine wine by highlighting the unique qualities of the grape and focusing on small-batch production to emphasize innovation and change perspectives.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! In this season, Jesse and Jessica will discuss the science behind winemaking. Join us in this episode as we discuss wine refractometers! 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.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

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