A Cork in the Road

Bob and Jane Miller are the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. I sat down with them for a chat in their beautiful North Georgia home to learn about how they started their vineyard and what makes them unique. When they bought the property, they didn't even plan on planting a vineyard - but now they are putting Georgia wine country on the map with their California-style varietals and gorgeous event facilities. You can learn more about their tours and tastings to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media. Recorded June 2019  

Nancy Waldeck is a chef, cookbook author, public speaker, and wine specialist. She leads and delivers more than 100 events and classes per year in Atlanta and beyond. Calling herself a "Healthy Chef Partyologist" and serving as an Emory University certified health coach, she thrives at the intersection of health, food, and wine. She is sharing her knowledge with students and clients, and she loves to help people build confidence in their ability to pair food with wine. You can find more about her services and travel adventures at www.tasteandsavor.com or follow @chefnancy on Instagram.  Recorded May 2019

Dana Gurela is the owner of Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room located in historic downtown Roswell, GA. She is a California Wine Appellation Specialist and has passed her WSET Level 2 exam. Her shop hosts special events and workshops that allow people to explore all that California has to offer right in the heart of Georgia. With experience working out in the Bay Area, she is bringing her passion for supporting these California producers and former colleagues to her customers through fun and educational wine experiences. Check out their events calendar at www.deeprootswine.com and follow their wine adventures on social @deeprootswinemkt  Recorded May 2019

Travis Green is the winemaker at Atlanta's City Winery. He is a huge supporter of the Georgia wine industry, and he is making many wines from Georgia-grown grapes right in the heart of an urban environment. Born and raised in the North Georgia mountains, he is bringing his enthusiasm and terrior-driven expertise to his winemaking with appreciation for what Georgia is able to produce. Learn more about City Winery Atlanta at www.citywinery.com/atlanta and stop in next time you're in town to sip some fantastic Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  Recorded April 2019

Faielle Stocco is Partner and Bar Manager of East Atlanta Village's Banshee, but she is no stranger to the ATL food and beverage scene. With a true passion for all things wine, she is in charge of designing the restaurant's selection with an eye for both quality and variety. She gained experience working for several restaurants in Atlanta before diving into this business, and it's exciting to see the energy that she continues to bring to the industry. You can find out more about Banshee online at www.banshee-atl.com and follow them on social @banshee_eav.  Recorded April 2019

Tyler Barnes is the co-founder of Accent Cellars located two minutes from downtown Dahlonega, GA. He and his brother-in-law are sourcing grapes from farms in Georgia, California, and Texas to craft their wines that they sell from their tasting room. He is enthusiastic about the future of North Georgia's wine country, and he brings a contagious energy to the industry. You can learn more about their winemaker dinners and events online at www.accentcellars.com and follow them @accentcellars on Instagram.  Recorded March 2019

A familiar and friendly face of the Atlanta wine scene, Tim Willard is the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Charlotte-based importer, European Cellars. He is a passionate wine educator who also has experience working in the high-end restaurant industry. He has completed the Advanced Sommelier course through the Court of Master Sommeliers and loves to use his wine knowledge as a way to meet new people and build connections. You can follow him on Instagram at @twillard06 to stay up to date on any of his tastings or events.  Recorded February 2019

Bringing a new portfolio to Atlanta's wine scene, Emmanuel Faure was born and raised in the Rhône Valley of Southern France. He began working in restaurants as a teenager with many talented chefs before discovering a career in wine. After spending time as a sommelier in Los Angeles, he moved his family to Georgia where he has now started his own wine distribution company, One On Wine. Find out more about the wines of One on Wine at www.oneonwine.com and follow Emmanuel's posts at @manu_one_on_wine on Instagram.  Recorded February 2019

Melissa Davis, formerly the beverage director at Staplehouse, was named Atlanta's 2018 "Rising Star Sommelier" by Star Chefs. She was born in Oklahoma but has been an Atlanta resident for many years and got her start by working in tea, coffee, and food service before moving into wine. Having been involved with the beverage programs at many of Atlanta's fine dining restaurants, she loves to focus on providing an educational experience for her guests and tries to build off-the-beaten-path wine lists. She is now overseeing the efforts to open Hazel Jane's Wine Bar & Coffee in the Old Fourth Ward near the Atlanta Beltline under management of Birmingham-based Revelator Coffee. You can follow them online at @hazeljanesatl on Instagram. Recorded February 2019

For a slightly different perspective on wine in the Southeast, I caught up with Mara Davis, a leading voice for Atlanta's food and dining scene. She is a radio personality, a brand ambassador, and a co-host for Atlanta Eats. She is well-known for her insight on Atlanta's restaurants and has hosted events for Taste of Atlanta among many other emcee appearances. We chatted about food trends and bad hashtags on a Sunday evening while lounging with our pets. You can find her @maradavis on Twitter and @maradavis2000 on instagram.  Recorded January 2019