NC Wine Guys

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

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 Hurricane Helene on our beloved vineyards and the loss of cherished industry members have tested our resilience. Despite these hardships, the spirit and strength of our community have shone brightly, showcasing the unwavering dedication of those who make North Carolina wine so special.

In our latest podcast episode, “Looking Back at 2024,” we gather with friends to discuss these significant events and share some of our favorite moments from the year. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of how Hurricane Helene affected local wineries, stories of those we’ve lost, and the changes within our community. Our special guests will share their favorite things from this year, offering a heartwarming look at the resilience and unity that define our industry.

For more information about the events you heard about in this episode, please visit these links:

In Memoriam

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

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 to rise year after year. Finally, we wrap up with a conversation with chef Lil Lacassagne from Saint Jaques at the Burke Manor Inn who was the featured chef for the event.

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

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 so interested in producing top quality wine. This episode was originally recorded for Season 2 of Cork Talk which aired in February of 2020.

Our friends and contributors Jesse and Jessica join us again. Not for a Wine Class this time, but to share their memories of Michael and of Junisus Lindsay Vineyard. For more information about the Wine Mouths, head to https://www.winemouths.com/ or find them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @Winemouths.

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.

For anyone who is interested in sharing their memories of Michael, his family and friends would enjoy hearing from you. You can share a memory or a tribute here: Obituary Information for Michael David Zimmerman

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

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 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

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 wine has been a focus and it continues to improve year after year.

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

P.S. If you saw an earlier episode pop up in your feed, this one corrected the audio issue from the previous episode!

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 each got started, and what we’re hoping for in the future. One of the major highlights that we discuss is the improvement in quality over time. A lot has changed in the last 10 years and we think the wines speak for themselves!

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

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 were there, we also tasted their new meads and ciders and it is definitely a must for our listeners!

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

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 are the largest muscadine vineyard in North Carolina and they are literally making thousands of gallons of wine and harvesting literal tons of grapes.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about the making wine in concrete eggs! 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

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 makes them who they are. Listen on for more details and see for your self just how passionate they are.

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