Hi. I'm Matt. Hello, Joe. We're the mine guys. Welcome to a special anniversary episode of Court talk. July 20 24 marks 10 years for us as the North Carolina wine guys. So we wanted to do something special to celebrate. In this episode, we sit down with another duo who are also celebrating their 10 anniversary. Jessica Adams and Jesse Bird, but you may know them as the wine melts.
We talk about how each of us got started, our background and journey as well as some challenges and shared wine ventures, And what's next? This episode is brought to you in part by a grant for the North Carolina, wine and engraved Council. You can learn more about the council by going to their website and c wine dot org r g. So sit back, poor glass and listen. So today, it's a very special episode of pork talk, we're celebrating
anniversaries. We're celebrating 10 year anniversary specifically. So it's our 10 year anniversary as Nc wan guys coming up. And our dear friends, Jesse and Jessica, the wine mouse. You all know them and love them from wine class with the wine mouths. It's also their 10 year anniversary as the wine mouth. So We thought we'd take a a look back at our 10 years exploring, tasting, discovering North Carolina wine.
So we're gonna tell some stories. We're gonna let you get to know us a little bit better, and we're gonna have a lot of fun along the way. Already had a little bit of wine, so that's gonna help with the fun part. So well, I feel like it wouldn't be an episode if I didn't say, Jesse and Jessica, We've Welcome back. My thank. So true. So let's start with just telling folks a little bit about yourselves, and maybe then you can go into how the wine got started.
Church. Sure. So I guess to take back to when we met... Well, we gotta take it way back Okay. Okay. All the way back to 19 87, when we both born and both happened to be named. Jessica. Does the popular day of 87. Yes. And both of our mothers have been 87. You said that you said 97. 19 87. Okay. I was not in college. I was a 11 elementary school. So 19 87,
a when we were born. But we didn't know each other until college, and we both happen to live on the same floor, in our freshman dorm, Freshman year and we were not friends right away. I know were both the quiet ones. Yeah. Who got, like, swept along with our group of friends and and Anyways. We were there banner where we've came like friend friends. Feel like senior year. We kind of became closer. And then when we graduated, everyone left and we
we're North Carolina. Yes. Yeah. And we were left winston Salem and we were like, well, let's live together. Yeah. And so around that time, I was... 2009, but I think I moved in in 20 10 but with you. And group on was all the rage. And so we were buying all these deals to go to restaurants and get chemo wax and any anything in everything back. We went to the ago. Yeah. And and they had a really... No. That was a group on that was the other 1. That was, like, like grab.
Well, it was kinda like group on, but it's was different. But anyways, they had it... That was a really good. It was a really good deal, And It was especially good deal. Buy that. We did. We weren't sure. But you bought... If you bought 3. You got the fourth 3. And so we... There were 3 groups of girls, and then we were the fourth we'd like split the different anyways. It was great. I don't remember what I was called. We'll look it up. So we...
Yeah. It won't be the... We did have anything, but 1 of the big things that... At that time, it was a winery, and we were always looking for a deal and all way... We have 3 weekends. We didn't have boyfriends. Nope. I don't think. I didn't No. I didn't. We had a cat. She didn't need much care. And so we bought all these group coupons, and we will go places and then when our friends would come back to visit.
Because they were all in different places, and they would come back and be like, oh, north rica so cheap. We would take them to wine. And so we'd, like, you know, showed them the North Carolina was still a cool place to be. Yeah. So we probably... I mean, I don't remember, like, our first but we went to first. Oh, hotel. It was grove. Oh Because we dragged my mom and her friend along with us. That's right. I guess we still didn't know about on yet. We were we took back up.
Yes. And we went to iron gate that day and yes. Oh Fuck. Oh me. Was this This is why you... This is. I don't remember these things. Yeah. I don't know. That's right. So I don't think we had a similar story. We did not... You know, we were not we didn't know each other back in. No. Back in that day. No. 19 87. November for 19 97? Yeah Remember 20 12, but,
So I had experience north... Because I grew up in North Carolina, So I grew up in Looks County and remember hearing on the news about the tobacco buyout and how wiring were starting to pop up and and insert counties. And then and then eventually Wi County. And I think the first the first water, I think I ever visited was Shelton vineyards, and I remember going with a group for a tasting. And don't remember it's going anywhere else. We may have.
I remember parties at my first apartment, once At got college, and somebody brought some rag got a blessing wand. And I think it was the Boom block at the time, and so that was that was 1 of my first experiences And then later, my friend Michelle, like, now, our friend and Michelle, she was visiting water around the state, and she introduced me to rang a fire from Rick Ritchie. And that was the first north Carolina 1. I fell in love with and sought out.
I remember 1 year, I just got a new car, and it was my grandma's birthday, and so I was gonna take her out to buy some shoes, and and we're gonna go on a little ride. And so we we drove up North Carolina 18 and Sparta, I think we actually went to Elk to get the shoes, and then we drove up 21, and I saw the side for Mig, and I'm like, I need some lie. So we pulled in and I could still remember my grandma standing then the taser room as I was getting a few bottles.
I think I got, like, 3. Because I still wasn't making a ton of money at that point. And then we got back in the car. We drove towards Spa Spa and then back down the mountain to take her home and then I remember tasting ring of fire again later, I think it was late. No. I think that was before. There's... There used to be a... And there... I think there still is a wine festival at Symphony Park in South Park in Charlotte.
And that year there were a bunch of north Carolina waters is there, Mc was there amongst others, and, of course, ring fire stuck out. So we actually do have ring of fire in our glasses right now. It is from 20 14. Also celebrating 10 years. So it's 10 years. So we'll talk a little bit more about that 1. As we go through, but that was my first kind of foray. And then as we got into, like, together for, like,
the wine logging side of things. We were at a couple wine in the Swamp Creek because we were there with 1 of our friend's birthday are Susan. And we decided, you know, we're gonna go head up these little, you know, the Swan Creek channel, like, you know, no one's really doing this right now Why don't we... You know, why don't we do this as a fun hobby in the... Okay. We just we decided we wanted it... We liked the experience.
So when we went... That day I think we went to shadow Springs and windsor run. I don't know if you went the little grade at that time, But I think we just went to the tube just the 2. Yeah. Because I remember we... It was a it was a warm ish January day, and we were sitting out. On the... We brought a picnic and set out it went run. And then we decided we would start going to the local refineries and checking them out. And then that's when we decided okay. Well, because we hadn't heard of
the wine mouth yet. Mh. Even though you all are probably or getting ready to be out there. Yeah. There really wasn't me, anybody talking about. And so we decided to to start See wine guys in the action... We started in July 20 14 officially with our first tweets,
But that first trip was in Virginia. So a lot of our first trip tweets were to visiting Virginia Wine, but, we were constantly comparing them to North Carolina Wine during that time, and then later, of course, we started going in and visiting people and then we would go out and we post about it. Mh. But We weren't telling the people while we were in the winery, what we were doing. I don't even know if we were taking notes at that We weren't. Yeah. So we have tons of notebooks all.
Yes. I'm not sure where all of them are. We not jordan down there. Okay. But it would be a fun project at some point to probably put together a book of some sort. So who knows? Maybe in, 10 plus years when I'm retired and need a day project. Possibly. That's something to do. I'm gonna retire early. By the way, I'm not really done. So let's... Why don't we talk about what it was like back in the old day? So, like, yeah. Yeah. And I'm curious like, how
was it? The first time you guys went and you're like, we're gonna tell them where the Nc wine guys. Like, how did that go? For... Still don't do that. You... Okay. So the first time... And So the first few times, we would go in into places. I distinctly remember at Hannah Park, Amy kind of figuring it out. You're taking notes. Yeah. And then I think Diana and Jones Mon figured it out fairly quickly. And then then other people started figuring it out. You know, because we didn't press a lot
of pictures of ourselves. It was more about the water and and about our experience. And so I think those are probably the first 2 that stick out of my mind of recognizing what we were doing again and sitting down and talking with this and and and that sort of thing, which probably means that's that's probably why we like going to those places so much because we feel appreciated and and their 1 is good. So Yeah. But, yeah. I mean, I think that
was... So we don't be typically, like, if we go somewhere new, we typically don't. Usually, it's... Oh, you're taking notes and then Yeah, you know, evolves into that. So we're... We wanna experience what the the... The person walking in from the street will experience. Yeah. So that gives us a... We don't want we don't want special treatment the first time again. Now the second or third time May. But Yeah. But not that... Not the first time. We
wanna experience what it... And unless they know already, they know who you are, and they're like, oh, you're hearing. Yeah. Okay. Fine. But, yeah, It's it's fun to see that. But but, yeah, let's go back to what it was like back then. Like... Well, it's... Sorry. No funny because it was always so hard for us to say anything, like we need. We never led with it either, and we still don't say we still like are we gonna say something? Do we say something?
It's still very uncomfortable. Yeah. But the first day, when we went wine tasting when we thought we are going to do it. Yeah. I think we even had business cards finally. Maybe Yeah. We were, like, we're going to tell people. And, like after, like, we're not leaving it. Right Right. Right. And 2 places. The 1 I remember most his installments cream. But when we said it, they both said, Oh. Well, there's these 2 guys that were best year yesterday doing the exact same play literally.
And the next week... Treatment. The same thing like, literally trail here. Like we're at... Dang. Idea. Sound like You guys have a magazine article or something And they're like, in here you read this and... Oh, that's right. If you're not, like up thieves go guy. That was later. I think the Magazine, the magazine was around 20 to ford 14 50. Yeah. Well, okay. It's a cute long of getting search to tell you get were. We got approached by... So the magazine was gravity. He wasn't they
of the magazine, unfortunately it. Was not able to succeed, but it was a great experience of writing for that magazine and the folks that ran it, were super nice and mh we had a great time with that, but that was a way to get recognition. But, yeah, those early days, We we had some chance meetings, I think a few times. Right? You know, other than, you know. Some almost. Almost me. Yeah. I mean, 1 of them was... Really almost. Right you were a few hours early. So... Yeah.
Well, and so what... He's talking about is we... Jesse and I... Well, you are with her... Boyfriend at the time now husband. I think during I were married maybe. And we decided... Well Jesse he was trying to impress justin I think. Yeah. I went like I like camping. And this is like, great. Because I like camping, and I don't like camping and campground.
I like rustic like, yeah. Look me So Jared like, yeah, let's let's check this guy out and so we went or camping up at Lin gorge, but, like, literally just pulled off the sides somewhere in some red instead of pants And it was, like, the coldest weekend. But of unfortunately that week. Yeah. Definite. So, we're getting a little ahead of story, but what got us going really besides the group
bonds and the deals. Was like, we would go these places, and we would meet people and the wine doesn't hurt either. And you would just like, talk to people and learn their story. And this is still true. Day. Right? And so you get all caught up into this wonderful feel good story, and you just think, like, the world is a great place and it's not all bad day. And people are great. And so we would just have this idea then that we're
gonna drink more wine. And at that time, there were a hundred wine and we thought we can do this. We like... We are very goal oriented. We wanna check boxes and do this. So we were trying to visit all these. So the camping trip, we're like, well, great. Let's see what wine are in the area, and we'll plan our whole trip around that. So it was... Well, silver fork. Mh. I like James. Are at. Elk Creek. So we hit up a lot of places. Yeah. And we pulled up to silver fork, and there was a sign or
something. I was for... I don't even. Yeah. I don't even think they had a person telling us. So it's was just... And we're like, dang. We planned our whole trip. Like, there's 1 we're gonna have to come all the way back out here for. Turns out if your wedding. Because that way it was. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we should it. You should there. You just we had yet. So been a little weird. But you would Nice. So we'll get to the meeting here in a few minutes, but...
Yeah. That was a few months later that we actually met Youtube, but but yeah. That was 10/17/2015. And when were getting ready. You're were you're a few hours early. We didn't get married till 05:30. So, It was cold. It was a little cold that weekend. Yeah. We were... Like, especially when the sun went down. They got got pretty blue chilly, but it was a beautiful fall day. Yeah. But Joanne, I signed up on Justin this. All good. And I finally admitted that I did not like
not like that type of. Never. Can't. And ear comes are wanting in the same. What were our other near... Well, you were saying were always a few people Yeah. Week 2 it ahead of you, but then that I would just trying you were there a little bit of ahead of us. Yeah. We even get there to, like, 04:00. Yeah. But then we finally did meet each other, like, yeah. So talk talk Cindy do you whatever how that happened? Well, we
were like, we're gonna hate this. Guys. But we have to reach out to them because it's a very small state. But we like... We're like, who are these jerks? Like they took idea. And they're also posting more than us. Yeah. And they're married. And if we were just married, we would have so much to do all the things that we gonna wanna do for wine. We would get all hundred done in a weekend. Yeah. Absolutely. And back in this days, we would go to, like, 5 or 6 in a day. So gosh how do we do it. We
could do that too. Yeah. We typically tried to... We typically sat with... Stayed with 4, but we'll talk about our alley Yeah Okay. Okay. But So I don't remember to read... I think we've emailed you guys. You know. Because we were that. Yeah. Oh, were you guys in, like, okay. Were you... Did you know about? Well we seen really? We've seen your post, You know? And I think maybe a couple of people Had mentioned you all to as maybe. Yep. Alright. And so we're like, okay, Fine. You know, we'll go
meet them that's... It'll bit good that could, you know, good working good couple days show. So you... I don't know which wanna... I think it was Was you that reach out jessica school over the year? I mean, we've tried I don't know if we can get it together... I'm sure we both, like, 1 of us types and 1 of us son. Absolutely when you responded fairly quickly. I'm sure you did. And snowing your turnaround these days. You... I think you all are in Chad. We... Have you been to grow at that
point. I think that was our first time to grow. Oh, 0, yeah. That makes sense. So we we got there earlier because I think you guys suggested it. Like, hey. The... Yeah. Knocked this software probably. Yeah. So... It was a super warm, December of 20 15 was super warm. I remember Christmas day being, like, in short some air conditioner. Oh now. It was back. Of course, I was been over too, but that's a different story, but not from this meeting.
Not this meeting. No. Because this was a few weeks before, I, I we you're literally like a week and a half before Christmas menu. Let the middle of the month ending day. So was a Saturday. Then we got there and did our tasting, Yep. And they had a 20 10 sharp. That we really, really liked. It was oak. Nice big and oak.
And so we sat on the patio as we waited for you all to arrive, and we enjoyed some char name, I don't remember if we share the short day with you too because you're not fans of that that I think you did. Yeah And I don't think we would have said at that point in our... Journey. But... Yeah. It didn't She. It probably wouldn't I have felt in emboldened in enough. No Yeah. I mean, I remember sitting out on the patio. And mh. I guess we did a tasting and then came out
Had more. I had a Christmas part to get to later. So and we just found the photo. Yeah. It's fully posted. And I feel like it was easy conversation, and we're trying to, you know, fill each other out a little and Yeah. Because we definitely left and we're like, we don't need that. Yeah. And be really really expected. But I really really excited to hang out. Just gonna be honest. I mean, like a nice way. Because, yeah, I was like, who are these people there? Doing.
Yeah. Because then you have to remember in 20 fifth 14 15. It was like, the blog era. Yeah. Like blogs and Instagram was still kinda new. Wasn't it. I think was trying into a baby I don't know. I think we had it because Carolyn had it, like, visiting us in 20 10. So I think it was, but it was not like the main. No. It was not what it is now. Yeah. It's like, oh, Had a picture. Right. You had... Yeah. So I don't know It was just like a different time and. Yeah.
I think people were... I mean, people are still being successful was. Influencers and and bloggers are that's... Our blog still exist, but it's like take tiktok of and different things that are more the money makers anyways. So it's was just a wild time. Yeah. And trying to grab up green muse and Well, let's talk the challenges and triumphs over the years because that's definitely 1 of the challenges. Like, how do we get people to notice? Mh. Not only North Carolina 1 but
like yeah. Each of our areas you're trying to do. Well, I think we're still struggling with that. I think North Carolina has that and North Carolina wine has helped us out in the sense that the quality has gone way up. Like, Yeah. We kinda talked before, hitting record just about, like, used to roll up in people's garages. And, I mean, that's kinda of what we fell in love with a little bit, like, you would get to know. They were really
nice. It was fine. Yeah. And it just felt really special and didn't mean the wine was always good, but you usually had a an quaint experience. And, you know, we still had our main... Players like Shelton and Jen. They were still around and, like, or were there and suddenly Is getting started Sure. Maybe who am I thinking then. Okay. Rag up last was. Yeah. So they were you. Set in stage. Setting the bar pretty high.
So And so just the elevation in, mh, quality and what's available has really risen and that has helped. What what we're talking about. Yeah. We kinda feel like we know a little bit more nowadays. Well, we're still family in some stuff of. Yeah. For sure. What were some fun experiences that stick out in your mind? Oh, that we had that group on for the place so the mu irons, and we were in this like... Cabin, and then they're like, do you wanna come see vi vineyard
and? Yes. Because we had to say see yes and when we gotten in this like, golf cart. Right? It was maybe a golf cart, maybe a murder vehicle. And they were, like, we just have to pass this. Chicken farm on the way, and then you... And I think we're gonna taste build the tasting room up here, And I was like, cool. And now how do we get back to our art? And all fine.
I think that place existing anymore. And see now, fast forward to does our last digital media summit, and we did that as 1 of our excursions. Great. And they charge show I'm gonna like for it. Yeah. It's all in the brand here. You don't yeah. Yeah. I don't know. Just stripping out, like this little plastic comm cup. Yeah. Mh. Mh. Yeah. So for us, the base... There were several interesting experiences. 1 place that's no longer in business. You...
We drove up and they weren't even open yet, but they were supposed to be open. And then when they finally arrived, you were walking amongst, like all of these boxes, like, just to get to to the wine. And I don't I don't think there was anything. I don't even think there was a vineyard at that place. And then there's another place where we pulled up, we had the the dog with us at the time, and the guy peeps out of the house and says, yep. You're in the right place. Really, okay.
And so was good downstairs the and by the bird and yeah. I just... Yeah. You were at this in we very what we take cat. So yeah. There been some interesting things, But the the cool thing was meeting meeting the owners day that was really passionate. So Yeah. And would you, like, take the time to get to know you and... I mean, people just stick out... Amy and Michael He, of course, Michael Zimmerman at Junior Lindsay. Charles and Ann Edwards from Bi mu Creek.
You know, this folks... This was their second or third careers. Yeah. And... Because they already had Yeah. Very long careers and other industries and several of them were teachers, actually. So... But just... And and we're still like, every time we see them, it's you know, it's just... We pick right up and Yep. And that sort of thing and sit, you know, getting to know them was was great. And I mean, I I always enjoyed going in Rag and talking with lamp Lima Hops, and
She was... And I remember remember the first time, when she figured out who we were. Was just, oh, you know, she was, like, really excited that we were there and was... You just tell me on my database? Very sweet and and kind. So she was, you know, someone that... Did you, I've... You know, it was almost like a grandma, you were enjoying my way. Mh. And so, I mean, there are so many other... Well, those are places where could go to all
the time. Like, 1 place that we've been to 1 time that's memorable to me was a secret garden because we went out there and like, where's the secret garden like, oh, well, she, like, the owner. She's like. Well, we'll take you right out there, and she, like, walked us out there. She. It was just like, so a private little zen area. Yeah. This is kind of fun. You would not get this another. Yeah. We haven't been back sadly. We need to go back again, but it has 1
of those just like, okay. It's sticks with. And we here her son is now taking the lead most of that. She's... As she's gotten older. Yeah. Another 1 that sticks out of my mind is grateful sisters. Again, we've only been there once, but it's down in Brunswick County. Basically far Southwest North Carolina... North Carolina Sorry. And I just remember it being a very pleasant fun experience.
You know, 1 of the sisters that are tasting, sadly, I don't remember her name, but she was just delightful, and, you know, those things make a difference. Yeah. But there's so many places that there's so much to see and do in North Carolina and you can see the state by going to visit wine in the state. Because we do have wine from Murphy Dominion. Murphy Ne. Exactly Yeah. And if you haven't been to do that. I think I think at some point, we...
We've talked about this a little bit, but a Us 64 season of cork top might be an interesting thing to do as you drive Us 64 for Murphy Man and visit wine along the way because there's a lot along, along that path because you could start over with Not Valley and kinda of work your way. A through Henderson bill. Probably, I think that's where 64 goes through. And then through...
So I think to be on the Fork would be on the list for sure, and then you could hit over to Child and then on over and sanctuary as you're it's blinding the way up. But they have all of the Pitt, area stuff and starlight need and and that's where play barclays our sales. Yeah. Yeah. That would be a fun. They can do it at some point. Is hit on that tour? Because we stop there on our way to the beach 1 year Or on our way
back maybe? Yeah. And they accidentally accidentally charged my card credit card referred, like, 666 dollars the number. Either sick well, it was like the decimal were off. Sad saturday. These are bought something that was like 6 dollars or maybe I spent 60 who knows. Because it would be a little bit extreme. Yeah. No. It's close to 64 deaths, but... Yeah. Well, we're expecting for a case discount so anything... And we wouldn't combined together. Yeah.
Yeah. I mean, they refunded it. They're amazing people, but it was just so funny. Like, that 1 stands out. Well, in this time to you... So My parents were living at the beach. So we would go down pretty frequently in the summer and we would always try to find places just stop on the way and back. And we had gone to many places. Were closed when we showed up, but... Yeah. So how did you besides of the group bonds? How did you How did you plan your excursions back in the day? Oh in.
Well, it was kind of like, a little bit like how we do now or if you're going to need? Area, you see what's on the way and what's nearby and what makes sense. And then when we had the idea that we were gonna go to all hundred, you know, area like, well, we got... Yeah. Yeah. We try get into database. Mh. Before the state even have, like a good database. We made our own. And and he just put their hours on in, which which a silly thing to try a track because
Yeah. That use that became useless. But... They still struggle with that sometimes. Yes. And we did it on Google Maps. So, like, we had the map, and then you could look at the data grid and see... All the places we needed to go. Yeah. So we look where there was a cluster and we would head to the cluster and try to go to 5 or 6 because we were there, you might as well. Yes. And we were also 23 year. Yeah. Yeah. And we had time and we had some money and we had...
The weekends. So... Yeah. So we would use maps of various and sun resources and I remember because cell phone coverage was not the best back in the day. We would actually print off the directions because you weren't sure if you were going to have signal but where you were. And I mean, we would print off, you know, the list, like the Friday... So we would usually... And for the first few years, we were going Fridays and or Saturdays and Sunday.
Mh And, Saturday, depending on, you know, where we were going, we might leave right after breakfast or because I remember the time we went to Rock Ages and... Yeah. And, probably hit some other there places in that area. That that we left pretty early because it was a pretty long drive. Anywhere we're getting breakfast in states full at that time. Really? Okay. I don't remember that. Starbucks. No Starbucks.
That was our... Yep. Starbucks and states. We would love cars all the time when we head anywhere that was a good stop for us. And then we'd kinda repeat that again for Sunday, but usually, we would... You know, we would try to hit 4 to 5 if we could, But it was mostly... We were going in tasting and getting something and going. Mh, we weren't really doing a lot of hanging out. And now our approach is more of go to 1 possibly too,
but spend some time there. Enjoy enjoy some wine, enjoy talking to people. Because we do wanna catch up with folks that we know and have made friends with and and know the industry. Yeah. Obviously, there's places that are a little further out from where we live. That's a little harder Mh to do that, but it's still fun to go in and and taste. I mean, we recently went back to Doo. And I think that was it was probably end years. Yeah. Yeah. I think was about
20... Sometime in 20 half when we were there. Possibly 20 15 or they 15, maybe. Yeah. But, I mean, they do tasting completely differently now. Than they did. And it was a very pleasant experience, and they're also putting on a very expensive bottle of mu. If you're a interested yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So there's so much that has changed and there's still there's still... You still get to meet the owners of places. Which is really cool. But as you said, the quality is so much better than it
was back in. There was there were pockets shirt. Absolutely right then. But But now it's it's usually... It's a little bit more across the state versus being in pocket. And I think we have even more to offer everybody. It's like, you have the the mom and pop garage setups and you have the luxury boutique... Experience you have no, like, anything you would want. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like more wine makers are getting educated in the state
you, like, the program at Asu. I feel like a lot of wine makers and wine folks in the in the area have gone through that program and, you know, knowledge is power. Right? So we're getting better wine because we're getting more knowledgeable wine makers that learn all the science and stuff behind what they're doing. Absolutely. It's a good framework. Yeah. So what are some fun things that you've gotten to do because of the wine mouths? And maybe talk something of them about. How
you've evolved as the. Well, yeah. So when we first started, we thought we were gonna be bloggers and make it big that way. And like, not even just wine, but, like, lifestyle, and we did post somewhat consistently for a little while, and social media has always been that's so hard. And especially now you have to be... You have to do it all yourself. Like, you have to be able to be a videographer. And recording Yeah Yeah. Yeah. Like it's just too much. It's you.
But so over time we pivoted, and we've... I mean, I guess, we're just, like, love wine and can't quit it, but our focus has become education and how we can do that in any sort of... Form. So whether it's to the podcast that you guys have been so gracious to have us on, or, like, classes and different things. So that's really more what we pivoted towards and trying to get, like, be consistent. Yeah. Be available has been Tricky, but as far as, like, what we've been able to do
through this. When we fe in here, I'm coming back full circle. It's coming back. When we first started, like, for us, the friendship, our friendship has always been the most important part. I don't... Don't care about why they care about Jesse. Oh. God. She's the best. And That didn't expect to be. But so when we thought about, like, what would be success for us. It was like, hey, can we go hang out somewhere and they give us a tasting for free? Yeah. Really, like, we get how
you can do this. And you know, like, I feel like as time has gone by, and we've got married and we've had kids and we've done all this. It's like, What we need to work on weinstein. Like, this is what we need to do. So we need to, like, plan our schedule and all that around out. And looking back at, like, our past... It's what we thought was would would have been success we've made it. We can. We, like... We have recognition. We've gotten invited to events.
We get to hang out with the industry folks and that's... All that we ever really cared about and we get hang out with each other. Yes. Well. So... But I'm some specific stuff, like, Well, we still weren't sure about you guys. For a while. But when we got invited to show jealous. On the Van and black sponsored. Oh, tour. When I guess was that, like, the first Okay. He was like, trying to drive my business. Yeah. So you guys invited us and we drink... So much Ro.
Some of us more than others. Taylor Jessica. I don't have think get cried. Went to... We went to try. To try onto to Polk County and there's some waters in that area that day. And, yeah, Had just, like, cemented where, like, we like them. It's fine. Yeah. Can be friends. To, that was really cool. And just the different events you guys have put on and indoors. And... Yeah. Honestly, it's just so much. Fun to hang out with people in the industry. Legally it's fun
industry. Yeah yeah. Especially like people who interested in the industry. I think for me, 1 of the events that kinda stands out is the stuff that we've been able to do is, for a couple years, we were doing a north Carolina in a 1 month kickoff party. And we did 1 S also a good 1 in, in Raleigh just be the governor's mansion. Mh. And both of those events were super cool. We kind of help organize the wine that were gonna be there. There were some food people that were there to
it was it was just... We... Governor Cooper at the first 1. Yeah. He came to Lexington them and commissioner with there as well. Mh. It was a great great event. And that that is that is 1 of the events that definitely sticks out that I wanted to talk about, in this in this episode, we also got to judge state fair. Big twice. Yeah. And so that was a a really fun experience and in do being able to do that. And we'd love to do that again at some point. We got invited to attend state fair.
Too. We we haven't actually made it down from. It was really fun. We admitted got the Festival before, which was also really fun to So... And then getting invited to events. No. That doesn't happened terribly often, but... What it does. You know, we can't make everything, which, you know, feel bad about, but we do have day jobs, So those have to come first. There's only so much vacation in there. If we have who needs attention. We can show.
Yeah. But we always try to make time for the wine growers Association Annual Conference, that's something that it's just an event that happens in it's such a great networking a event. Many for several years, we had take took our little frame, and and take pictures of everybody. We probably should revive that at some point. The frame... The frame needs a little work. Yeah. It's a little dated But that that was. I mean, I think this... For me this past conference was 1 of the most enjoyable.
Unfortunately, you all did... Weren't able to make it. This time. It was not enjoyable just because you Was gonna pay. I think it was just... It was a very... I don't know. There was... Felt like there was a lot of time that talk to people. There were so many people I didn't get to talk to, but I thought it was 1 of the better conferences that had they've done a while. So look forward it to the 1 coming up in 20 25. But... Yeah, I mean, there's just been so
many things that... And I I think back to, our last... The last big public event that we got to go to before the pandemic. Was... We got invited Mark, invited us to the Wanna dinner at Child. Mark was Las. And we got to sit... Sit with Sara Spade, who used to be the analogy the pinnacle. There's his culture sorry for nc state and then, where kaufman who who took her her position once they're retire, and we got to sit with them and just talk with them and and spent time with them.
And then the food and the the wine on that bike were fantastic. Just kept coming and coming. And we had no idea. It was gonna be like what it was. And you you thought were like, okay. I'll take a taste and then I can't even anymore. I can't drink anymore. They're giving my 2 go boxes. Yeah. So... But that was, like, the last event, and then we were supposed to have the... At that time called the blogger Summit.
And we had to postpone, and then we had to go virtual, and then we reverse again the next year, and then we came back in 20 22 in person. But there's just been so much that we've gotten to do those digital media summit, there a lot of work put on. But, usually, once you get to the to the to the day of and the wine tours and stuff, it's all worth it. Mh. Everybody comes in. So we did take a break this year. We are we were hoping to get on in every other year track with that a
bit. And so, hopefully, we'll we'll be back in 20 25, so we need just start getting some plans together about that. But, yeah. So I've talked a lot. I gotta a question them. Okay. Is there a wine or walk wines that stick out amongst your exploration of North Carolina wine in last decade? I mean, cap front probably would be the 1. But... Yeah. That's the, like, kind of
our first love. I feel with North Carolina wine, and it's it's funny because at a time, we were trying to build this wine mouth collection of wine. You know, whatever. Sorry. Went back to the case that we had built, and we pulled out a Jones Mon 20 14 cab rock and we had that earlier with dinner, but the 10 year wine. So it was still fantastic. It was 9. It made me still love carolina line Cab Frog? Mh. Yeah. But speaking of wine mouth, Should we tell a story about our name and Sure. How
came to Okay. Absolutely. So when we were workshop ideas for our blog and like in social media presence, what... We drank a lot of red wine. And you could usually tell us because they it would get wine now. And so we, like, workshop it with our friends and we're like, we're thinking about calling ourselves wine mouths. And they're like, what is that? No One's ever heard of that. No. Reese's stick. So we're like, well we could. Thanks for the idea. And they're like, this is not a great
idea. And they're like, well, whatever we're gonna do it. And so we didn't. That's fine. Yeah. It is hard to say, like, the t h. Sometimes disappears into a z and they're, like, wine mouse. Was out the episode Like... Yeah. So that's tricky, but, we we made the logo on Google. Yeah. Like, Images. So, that's fine. Yeah. Are in Google Docs. Mh. So... Most of our workshop and naming and stuff like that, come after we've been to
over mountain vineyards. So, like, we usually are sitting there, and it's just, like, we should do a podcast. Here's what it's called. Or, like, we're driving. We had already had these ideas in the podcast And so... But it was the name of it. Asked. Mh We are... It was in November of whatever year we started this thing. Yeah. And It was... Well we started the end of the year. So at the end of... Yeah. When do we start? And we Dvd. We're our sixties seasons. 7. Okay. How will
last 6 years? Yeah. So was that 20 18? Yeah. 20. So it been 20 17. Yeah. 7 and we we were say it and we're gonna do it and said we're trying to figure out what the name was. And we... We didn't have Ai in those... Yeah. Yeah. That's challenging. What we what we did have was we had a bottle of petite for dough. Sitting front of over Mountain New. We're Ai. Yeah. It were like, worked tall. Mh. Okay. And that's how... Yeah. Well, He came up with it. I did.
Yeah. Yeah. I love it. So now there's a little podcast out there called Cork talk about talking about Ireland Cork, like, city of Cork and Ireland. Guess I have to see them at some point. Yeah. I don't know. They're doing fine. Yeah. I mean, that's the best part about wine is you either have the time to drive in between places that you're just talking. Or you're sitting around and being inspired by the wine. Yeah. The view, the people. And I feel like people is, you know,
what has... Moved us along this journey. Yeah. We went to Hut Vineyards. Oh, back in the day and met a wonderful lady named cats Lane who is doing the extension vine dresser Mh organization and started going to meetings there, but, she's the 1 who got me to quit my job and go to school at Surrey and get my degree. And when you were ready for a break from
school. Yeah. Yeah. And I feel like we were in an event at Zimmerman Zimmerman vineyards and just happened to be seating with the lady who was the, like, continuing continuing Ed, Davis and Davey Community college. So that's how we Yeah. Started teaching classes there. So, like, it's for us, it's all about the connections in the and and what you're doing to just talk to people and be together. Yeah. Yeah. That's why it's fun getting out there and just talk... And for me as an introvert.
It's hard, but the wine helps. Until it starts to hurt now. Well, that's. The wine milk. And really like we're both that way. Wait. We both the quiet ones and our big group of friends and college and stuff. And so the wine helps. Mh. So we did ask our followers for questions. We got 1. So, yay, yay, follower. Thank you, Kimberly really. Thank you, Kimberly. So Kimberly, actually, used to work at Cathy. So I think you all went to Caffeine before we did. Loved it. And then we went we
went after... After you after your recommendation and and we love Ke. But she's now working at Hi because she lives in Johnston County now And so we actually saw her last week at the Musk lawn dinner at hannah, which was a fabulous event that, Ashley and Bob and all the crew and it put together. So Kimberly did post a question. So this is a question for each of us. The question is, how did you get started in 1 And what was the first 1 you ever had?
He wants to go first? I think we've covered the hundred we get started and why from, like, logging, but, like, were their interests to start like them off. Yeah. Wine. I can start. I mean, besides the, like, crap. You drink... Right. Starting off, like, I mean, I think my first bottle of wine was Urban mist, which I don't even know if that's considered wine. Right? But I mean, you can get in the grocery stores in North Carolina. So... Well, I don't.
Which is speaking of we need to tell about that wine story. About New York City. Oh, yeah. It's a good 1. But I did not grow around wine. So I don't know that I ever had I never appreciate it. Didn't know anything about it. I did study abroad in Italy when I was in college, so I was 20 years old, went to Italy. And so there was not really like a a sweet wine introduction for me. My course is a little different I just went straight into the, having a craft of white wine and red wine at
your dinner table every night. And being able to take your empty liter bottles of water to the wine shop down the street and getting them to fill it up with wine from the barrel for really cheap, and that's just what you drink. So my first wine would have been just Italian with house wine, I guess, fancy. See. Mine was a similar story. So I didn't grow up with the wine family either. So we didn't really have wine around us at all. But I went to Culinary school, and I
was just like, okay. Well why you know, like, cooking. We actually had a 1 appreciation class. And it was actually all about, like, learning about wine, how it was made and the the production and how to pair it with foods. And the very first wine that we had was a more gold from Bo. So I'm like, oh, was just going right into french when I first started. So I was just was like, okay. This just not too bad. And then from there, it's kind of expanding out and going through. So I
hear on the ear. And things yeah. There's the yeah. Yeah. Stories subdivision... Well, you I think mine's gonna be that vu either there, but my family... I mean, my parents. When I was gram did drink wine and do drink wine, not fancy, but it, like, Mer lowe from the grocery store. I feel like was always
available. So I remember probably the summer after my freshman year, like, drinking some of their wine when they were out of town and my friend and was over, but So that might have been like my first swine, but I did study abroad in Spain that and got like... You know, you get, like, 2 euro bottles, good wine compared to what you could get for 03:50 here. Right? Yeah. If you could get anything in 2008 for cheap. Yeah. I don't know. So I don't remember, like, I didn't really go, like, sweet wine.
I went red, wine and then I recently become a white wine drinker. Mh. So... Good. Yeah. Well, my store is a little bit more local. So my first 1 that ever had was actually a local North Carolina wine. It was my Pap. Concord Grapevine wine that he made from his concord grapes that grew right outside his bedroom window. And he was making it for church, We never used that church, I don't think. But it's like, just they me them. So you have, like, an old butter churn. And he...
I... He had the wand in there. Like, mace a skin. No. No. This was like a a ceramic ceramic. Yeah. There's no opening in this process. Okay. There's a lot of sugar involved. There was cheese cloth involved to, like... Strain the wine out and get the... So the must of the grapes. You would you would squeeze the the 1 all the last little bit out. And so he had this 1 and he kept it on the back porch. And now, this back porch was closed completely enclosed, you know? But...
It used to be the back porch, and so we just always called. So I remember I was... I don't know how old I was. I was probably less than 10. And I would beg my parents and my grandparents. To let me just try it. Let me just try it. So I guess they got annoyed with me. And they finally gave in. So they took a little... 1 of those little bathroom cups. Mh. And they pulled just a little bit, in the bottom of the bathroom cup. And that was my first experience with wall.
Hey. And Great, It was a little bit of a sweet wine I mean, I don't remember it being terribly offensive and sorta of tastes like man habits, I guess, Maybe moment there's enough opportunity Yeah. And I probably asked more. I doubt they gave me more. I don't remember that. I think I just had my little little zip, but that was the first time I had wine and And I I don't know. The... Probably, like, real wine was probably a white z or something, Yeah. You know, and then moved into And
and they've got into north Carolina watch. I don't think they've I've ever had a white in. Well I don't understand red a white The white in. The other week in a wine shopping that was that was actually like, a ro of Z. Yeah. I know. And it wasn't the same. Right. Like. The marketing white z.
Yeah. Yeah. In a jug possibly. I will say that, like, I feel like in my early twenties when, you know, you didn't have much money and you didn't know wine was that good and you just would go to the grocery store and we drink so much of about rex goliath. You good. Like, the 3 dollar bottle. I like the creek with all the numbers on and number in particular, but Yeah yeah. I get that the lowest food. When you can buy double bottles of it. I mean, I definitely drink at a yellow
too. College. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. The... Again. Barefoot. Yeah. I'll never forget going to the beach, and Kmart was going out of business in And my mom and I had 2 shopping carts with cases full of barefoot wine because of I else. Right. Well, I'm just just thinking about our Steampunk tournament. Oh In our... So we lived in a sweet sophomore. That had 4 rooms, and the fifth room was, like, computer equipment.
And they had a server something. It was like a server room, And it was long most of the time. They needed all that space. But for some reason, they left to unlock for a while for a weekend. Yeah. And My friend and I hosted a Sham tournament in our suite. We got an upper class bias, so andre. And we shared gone turn of it in the server room. And I think that was a sparkly 1 parked her. I don't know. Yeah. She... Yeah. But bam, it was, like, a shirt sham as a... Yeah. Okay. Got. S h.
But that was good times. So, yeah. I mean, we've come so far We've come so far. So what do you what do you look forward to? We always ask this question. So what do you look forward to in North Carolina line? When do you think the future holds? What are your next 10 years? Yeah. Feeling? Yeah for us, I don't know that we ever know. No. Well, our next step is. Like, I feel like we just chance meet somebody and then the next thing happens. Right? Like, we have an idea and try it out and do
it. And Yeah. So I don't know that we know our next 10 years, but I think for North Carolina, we're just we're excited with the forward momentum bits. Building. Like, the quality is improving, the... I feel like the community is growing and and getting strong girl. Yeah. And we'll still be the wine mouths even if that looks different in 10 years. I mean, Yeah. No 1 better her take her name or I mean I copyright right. Obviously, we've got our domain. It's great. Yeah.
Well I think for us, I mean, I know July is coming up for us, and we're we're gonna be putting out some changes to the website. Been ages since we've done that. So And hopefully be posting more once that website gets gets post gets updated where it's easier to to make posts. Yeah. And I think 1 of the things we highlighted in our last year for our favorite things was just working on more meaningful content. Yeah. Like, just...
Like cranking out of blog post to put a blog post out there, any Ai or do that. Yeah. Copying a press release and just dumping it out Yes as if it were ours, Yeah. So we really wanna, you know, spend more time about, like, content that we feel was needed in the industry and content where it's actually gonna have more of an impact. Yeah. Yeah. But then it's tricky finding where to post that content because... Yeah. I well, and also working to bring those
folks together that Yeah. Which was the goal... Initial goal that very first blogger summit, now digital media summit. It's bringing every all of that together, and so we we do wanna get back into that in 01:25 and first again, how to keep keep that momentum going, because the best part of that of event and and events pretty much any event with the industry is is the networking and getting to see each other and interacting and building those relationships
and maintaining. Correct. Yeah. So if you had say 1 thing that was inspiring about this industry. What would you say? We did not talk about this question. No. I mean, I just feel like a broken record. But I just think it's the people. You know, we all have jobs. Right. Like, we're all in Corporate America or or different places but I'd... It's it's different. And I don't know how to pinpoint it, and I don't know how to like, I don't have a word to describe it, but... Yeah. The
community is different. The... Like, everybody working together to just make great wine. Mh. Like I agree. I think when you're... When you spend so much time in the day of they grind and then you, like, come to this to escape, and the people are great and you enjoy it. Like oh. Okay. Yeah. It's a good place to be. Yeah. I gotta go with the people too. Same Yeah okay. And I like. People very much. Either that's amazing to say isn't agreed. Well, we do like the people here. Yeah.
And we're very glad that you reached out that first time and we met you at Grove and have since become knowledge colleagues but friends, And so we really appreciate all of the work that you all put into your segments on the podcast, and here's the 10 years Show. Yeah. Cheers years. Cheers. And everybody stay tuned for some good old classic photos. Oh, yes. And I feel it wouldn't be an episode. I didn't say, Jesse Jessica. Thank you. Thank you. That's it for this episode of Ko talk.
Thanks again to the wine mouths. Her friends Jesse and Jessica. It was fun reflecting on our times together and just how much has changed in the industry over the last decade. As you heard, quality has been a major improvement over time. The 1 thing that has remained constant is the wonderful people we meet on our journeys. That's what keeps us wanting to visit wine and continues to be a huge impact on our lives. There was so much more that we didn't
cover. Just know that if your winery wasn't mentioned by name, we're still grateful for our experiences and the wines have tasted throughout our beautiful state. If you like this episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating and review. It helps others there's find ko talk and lets us know how we can improve. And don't forget to follow us on social media. You can find us on
Facebook and Instagram at nc wine guys. Until next time, and remember a cor toss when it's out of the bottle, cheers. Court talk is a free Lhc production. This episode is made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Wine and Grape count From the mountains to the coast, create memories, meet new people and find your favorite wine need or cider in sea. Download the Nc wine app or visit In nc dot org to plan on your trip to North Carolina Wine Country today.