In this episode of Wine Fringe, the crew sits down with Chad and Crista, owners of Golden Road Vineyards, to discuss their journey from careers supporting the federal government in the Northern Virginia/DC metro area to building a winery in Surry County, North Carolina.

While continuing their professional careers, Chad and Crista set out to create a winery that reflects their personalities instead of following traditional industry expectations. The result is Golden Road Vineyards, a welcoming destination where great wine, creativity, and a healthy dose of fun come together to create an experience guests remember long after their visit.

Throughout the conversation, we explore their unconventional approach to wine marketing, how authenticity has helped them build a loyal following, and why leaning into their interests and nerdy personalities on social media has become one of their greatest strengths. We also dive into their unique take on Traminette, discussing how they're challenging expectations for the variety while crafting wines that stand apart from the crowd.

More than anything, this episode highlights the importance of creating memorable experiences. From subtle nods to nerd culture and playful surprises throughout the property to a relaxed atmosphere that encourages guests to stay awhile, Golden Road Vineyards has cultivated a destination that keeps visitors coming back time and time again.

Whether you're interested in winery marketing, hospitality, or hearing the story of a bold career change, this episode offers an insightful look at what it means to build a successful winery by staying true to yourself and creating an experience that's anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, the crew sits down with Tyler Richards, owner and operator of Skyhound Drone Services, for a conversation focused on one of the most debated topics in modern viticulture: drone spraying in the vineyard.

Driven by a strong interest in drone technology, Tyler’s career path led him from software sales with the federal government to working with the DJI sales team before eventually launching Skyhound Drone Services. Today, Skyhound specializes in agricultural drone spraying for vineyards and orchards, alongside other drone applications including deer recovery, construction progression work, LiDAR, topography, and real estate videography.

The primary focus of this episode is vineyard spray programs and the growing conversation around drone spraying versus traditional tractor spraying. As something the Wine Fringe team has openly been on the fence about, this episode became an opportunity for an honest and candid discussion about the realities, benefits, limitations, and future potential of drone applications in the vineyard.

Rather than approaching the conversation as a hard sales pitch, Tyler focuses heavily on education and helping growers better understand what drone spraying can realistically offer their operation. He welcomes conversations with vineyard owners and managers who may still be skeptical or unsure, encouraging people to simply start the discussion and learn more about the possibilities the technology presents.

From labor and efficiency considerations to innovation within vineyard management, this episode offers an open-minded look at a rapidly evolving side of the wine industry and the role drone technology may play in its future.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, the crew sits down with Kendell Anderson, winemaker at The Winery at Bull Run in Northern Virginia, for a conversation rooted in grit, growth, and the reality of building a career in a highly visible, high-pressure wine program. What began as an unexpected shift in career direction quickly turned into a relentless pursuit of knowledge, as Kendell leaned into every opportunity to learn, adapt, and push forward.

We talk through Kendell’s journey from the early days to becoming the winemaker behind one of the region’s most well-known and highly visited wineries. Challenges came fast and often without warning throughout his journey, but moments that could overwhelm even seasoned professionals became defining experiences that shaped both his technical skillset and his leadership in the cellar.

The conversation highlights an incredible level of drive for success. Kendell has crafted wines that consistently draw people in and help shape the reputation and experience of a winery that operates at scale. He shares what it means to lead with confidence, stay opportunistic in the face of new challenges, and continue refining his approach in an ever-evolving industry.

From career pivots to producing wines that resonate with a broad audience, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes not just to break into winemaking, but to establish yourself and define your place in the industry.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, the crew visits Noboleis Vineyards, a family-owned winery built on legacy and evolution, where the business was passed down from Chris’s parents to Chris and Angie. What began with heart has grown into something more structured and strategic, as the next generation works to give the business its backbone while honoring the foundation it was built on.

We sit down with Angie and head winemaker Gabe for a conversation that dives into what it looks like to carry that legacy forward day to day. Angie shares insight into stepping into ownership, balancing long-term strategy with the inherent risks of running a modern winery, and helping shape the future of the business alongside Chris.

The conversation also highlights Noboleis Vineyards’ strong sense of community and its deeply collaborative company culture. With a team made up of creative, driven individuals, the focus goes beyond operations. It is about building an environment where new ideas are encouraged and innovation is part of the everyday.

Gabe brings perspective from the cellar, where his leadership centers on empowering the winemaking team to experiment, contribute, and take real ownership of their work. It is a philosophy that extends across the winery and reinforces a culture of trust and creativity.

From family transition to team-driven innovation, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a winery can grow stronger by leaning into both structure and imagination.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, the crew makes a bucket list stop at Stone Hill Winery, one of America’s most historic wineries. We sit down with Nathan Held, a third generation member of the family helping carry forward the Stone Hill legacy.

Nathan shares what it was like growing up in a winery family where passion for the industry runs deep and where Norton, Missouri’s state grape, is more than just a variety. It is part of the identity. We talk about the continued commitment to championing Norton and helping elevate its reputation far beyond the Midwest.

The conversation also explores what it takes for a historic winery to stay relevant across generations, adapt to an ever changing consumer landscape, and continue giving life to heritage varieties in a modern wine world.

From family legacy to the future of Norton, this episode offers a behind the scenes look at how tradition and innovation can grow side by side in American wine.

We’re Back — And We’ve Got Stories. Did You Miss Us? 🍷

This time we’re unpacking a trip that put Wine Fringe squarely in the middle of Norton country after being invited to speak at the Midwest Wine and Grape Summit.

Serving as the opening speakers for a general session to kick off the Summit, Jill and Jake reflect on what it was like to step onto that stage, share their work on collaborative wine initiatives, and connect with producers from one of the most historically important wine regions in the United States.

But the conference was only part of the story.

While in Missouri, Jill and Jake sat down for two in-depth conversations with producers who have played a major role in shaping the legacy of Norton: Noboleis Vineyards and Stone Hill Winery.

It’s thoughtful, candid, and a little bit road-trip fueled. It’s Wine Fringe. 🍷

In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake explore the background and evolution of Jason’s work, from a foundation in horticulture and plant health to a winemaking approach that places fruit quality at the center of every decision. His approach incorporates native yeast fermentations and low-intervention techniques, with winemaking knowledge developed through experience, mentorship, and study.

The winery itself emerged organically as Sandy’s creative work with Hawkmoth Arts expanded and required a permanent home. Seeking a place where her creativity wouldn’t be constrained by the hubbub of the city, they created a space that could showcase art alongside wine—products valued by many of the same customers—bringing together agriculture, fermentation, and creative expression in one environment. The resulting wines reflect natural production methods historically common but less frequently practiced today, producing broad, expressive profiles tied closely to place.

The episode focuses on process, evolution, and alignment—how farming, winemaking, and creative work intersect when allowed to develop without forcing an end goal. Jason’s winemaking remains rooted in ancestral and natural techniques, honoring traditional methods while emphasizing the health of the vine and the integrity of the fruit.

It’s grounded.

It’s transparent.

It’s Wine Fringe.

Learn more: Arterra Wines: https://www.arterrawines.com/

Hawkmoth Arts: https://www.hawkmotharts.com/

Social media isn’t going away—and it should still be every winery’s foundational way to reach consumers consistently—but the rules are changing, so listen up.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake unpack recent social media guideline changes and what they mean for regulated industries, with a sharp focus on wine. As platforms adjust policies, enforcement, and visibility mechanics, the team breaks down how these shifts are reshaping winery marketing strategies—and why understanding the new landscape is critical heading into 2026.

It’s timely. It’s direct. It’s Wine Fringe.

Follow the links below to learn more about Alcohol Marketing Compliance:

Facebook & Instagram:

https://transparency.meta.com/policies/community-standards/restricted-goods-services

YouTube:

Illegal or regulated goods or services policies - YouTube Help

Tik Tok:

Business Help Center

ABC & TTB:

25ec1e4e-08e6-4a07-a95e-bd71e00849ad.pdf

We’re back—and taking a clear-eyed look at where the wine industry stands heading into 2026.

In this episode of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake welcome back one of the show’s most popular guests, Shai Van Gelder, for a wide-ranging conversation that separates signal from noise across two critical areas: the market and the vineyard. First, they break down how market conditions shaped winery marketing in 2025—and what those pressures are likely to trigger next. The group digs into their prediction that panic marketing will define 2026, driven by tightening margins, shifting consumer behavior, platform volatility, and mounting compliance risks.

The conversation then turns to the growing season and harvest, taking a hard look at what actually unfolded in the vineyard and why it matters. Shai and Jake unpack the climatic challenges, timing issues, and decision points that influenced yield, quality, and cellar strategy. Rather than glossing over the realities, they lay out what wineries should realistically prepare for in 2026.

It’s honest, forward-looking, and unfiltered. It’s Wine Fringe.

We’re back—and diving headfirst into one of the most complex, least glamorous, and most critical corners of the wine industry.

In Season 2, Episode 3 of Wine Fringe, Jill and Jake sit down with Steven Harrison, Founder and CEO of Vinoshipper, to unpack what it really takes to get wine from producers to consumers across the U.S. From navigating a maze of state-by-state regulations to overcoming legislative barriers and logistical hurdles, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a system most drinkers never see—but every winery depends on.

The episode explores the ongoing battle to move high-quality domestic wine in a highly regulated market, the challenges of compliance at scale, and why access—not quality—is often the biggest obstacle facing American wine today. It’s an honest look at friction, policy, and persistence in an industry built on passion but constrained by outdated rules.

It’s real, it’s unfiltered, it’s Wine Fringe.