This episode is another Best of Cork Talk episode featuring Golden Road Vineyards in State Road, NC! When we first spoke with them, they walked us through their unexpected journey into wine, how they landed in North Carolina, and the vision behind what they were building. Their story kicked off Season 4, and even then it was clear they were on a path shaped by passion, persistence, and community. In this updated episode, we check in with Chad and Crista to hear how things have evolved. They’ve e...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr 11 min
Welcome to our first episode of Season 8 of Cork Talk! This episode features Scott and Elizabeth Barone from Castello Barone Vineyards in Ronda, NC! Located in the heart of the Swan Creek AVA, Castello Barone Vineyards is a boutique vineyard and winery that is grounded in Old World wine traditions, service to others, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Their winemaking journey started as home brewers and home winemakers in Florida. Eventually the hobby became a passion and Scott and Elizabeth ...
Jan 21, 2026•1 hr 7 min
We’re closing out our 2025 season with a Year End Review! As part of this tradition, we’ve brought together other digital influencers in the North Carolina wine scene to reflect on the highlights of 2025. You’ll hear from Delayne and Charles from Winey Friends , Jesse and Jessica from The Wine Mouths , Natalie from Tarheel Taps and Corks , Nicole from the NC Wine and Grape Council, Dave from Vino-Sphere , and Arthur from Merlot2Muscadine . In this episode we cover many topics ranging from the cr...
Dec 17, 2025•58 min
In this episode, we sit down with Neil Shore and his daughter Jennifer Hiatt from Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery in Boonville, NC! Neil and Jennifer share the story of transforming a 180-year old family farm into a modern vineyard and winery. Family and heritage are at the heart of everything they do at Sanders Ridge (the name itself comes from Neil’s great great grandfather). While the vineyard is a relatively recent addition to the family farm, the legacy of working with the land has been...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 8 min
We’re featuring another Best of Cork Talk episode, this time we’re revisiting our conversation with the team at Linville Falls Winery in Newland, NC! Back in 2021, we chatted with Linda, Jessica, and Lindsay during a snowy winter storm. In this special update, we catch up with Linda and Lindsay while Jessica is off welcoming a brand-new member to the family! We dive into how Linville Falls Winery continues to evolve, offering relaxing, personalized tasting experiences, and immersive vineyard tou...
Oct 15, 2025•1 hr 27 min
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 tr...
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 20 min
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 mentio...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
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 ...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min
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 Overmounta...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 30 min
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 se...
May 21, 2025•54 min
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 r...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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 Frisbe...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
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 e...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 9 min
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 M...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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, it’s time to reflect on a year that has been both challenging and inspiring for the North Carolina wine community. The devastating impact of Hurri...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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. We talked with Chuck and Diana Jones about how things have changed over time and what’s coming up. Tanner Pardue joined us as well to talk about changes in the winery and how quality has continued t...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 22 min
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 is still open and the staff are just as friendly as ever. In this episode, you’ll learn about Michael’s passion for growing grapes, farming his family land, and how he became ...
Oct 15, 2024•59 min
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 and bold fruit flavors. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about the winemaking style called Pét Nat! For more information about the...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 have been major additions to the tasting room with expanded seating under their veranda, updates in the winery with new equipment, and don’t forget about the wines! Over the years, producing quality wi...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min
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 our times together. (Pictures below show some highlights.) This was a fun episode to record and the discussion was great! We talk about what the industry was like 10 years ago, how we e...
Jul 15, 2024•59 min
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 only refined their mead making style, but have expanded into carbonated session meads and most recently cider. We dropped in to the tasting room back in May of 2024 and recorded this update. While we...
Jun 17, 2024•57 min
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 out of their grapes and the winery and tasting room opened in 2003. Now with 100 acres of grapes, they ar...
May 16, 2024•46 min
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 they’ve made over the past five years. The passion they have for the industry is still very much what mak...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min
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 Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about the wine style Piquette. For mor...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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 enjoyed recording the episode back in 2019. It was a relaxing time and reflected the atmosphere and ambiance that you’ll f...
Feb 19, 2024•56 min
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 programming note. We’re celebrating our 6th year of Cork Talk with 6 episodes we’re calling our “Best Of Cork...
Jan 16, 2024•56 min
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 , and Brianna Burns from the NC Wine & Grape Council ! Our friend Arthur Barham of Merlot2Muscadine couldn’t joi...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 10 min
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 well as industry workshops. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. Jesse and Jessica continue the his...
Nov 15, 2023•52 min
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 Class with the Wine Mouths is back. Jesse and Jessica continue the history of wine in the 1900s. For...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr
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 well and makes a great wine that far out west. Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. Jesse and Jessica c...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 10 min
