A Cork in the Road

Sarah Pierre, an Atlanta native, has been the owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta's Glenwood Park neighborhood since 2013. She moved into the wine world from restaurants and brings her expertise in hospitality and service to her wine shop. She laughs as she recalls the mixed emotions from that first day opening the doors and welcoming customers, but she also reflects fondly on how much their hard work has paid off over the years to build relationships and memories with clients. Her perspective on what makes the Atlanta market so unique is to be admired - she says there's an underestimated amount of knowledge and buying power here in the Southeast and she's excited about where we are heading. The shop's multiple wine club program recently earned national recognition in being named one of "America's 50 Best Wine Retailers" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and they've been helping people continue their wine exploration safely during COVID-19 by offering online shopping and curbside pickup options. Sarah talks about her enriching wine travels, her welcoming approach to wine education, and her enthusiasm for connecting with people through wine. For her latest news and updates, you can visit www.3parkswine.com and follow @3parkswine and @sarahpierre1 on Instagram. #ATLwinescene Recorded June 29, 2020

This episode features Whitney Blue, wine educator of @winewithwhitney and sales rep for Prime Wine and Spirits based in Atlanta, GA. We talk about her experiences working in retail, restaurants, and distribution and how she continues to be drawn into the story aspect of the wine industry. She recalls taking a wine class during her senior year of college in Florida and how that sparked a deeper interest in expanding her wine education. Now, in her current sales role, she thrives off building strong relationships with her clients and customers as well as learning from her mentors in the Atlanta wine community. Her tastings, events, and wine pairing dinners allow for making connections with people who share her passion for wine. We talk about how she also effectively utilizes social media as an important tool for having authentic, meaningful conversations woven into her stories of wine exploration. I can't wait to see the impact of her scholarship program and to hear more about her upcoming collaborations with other ATL wine professionals. Follow her on Instagram for all the latest updates!  Recorded June 21, 2020

This episode features Ahry Ko, the Corporate Beverage Director for Savi Provisions based in Atlanta, GA. She first moved to Atlanta for college at Emory University with her eyes set on attending law school, but she decided to pursue her passion for wine and has already established herself as a talented sommelier in the southeast market. We talk about all the ways she weaves her approach for academic studies into her approach for wine education and what it was like to attend her first Atlanta tasting group with other wine professionals when she was just 21 years old. We share a mutual love for all things Burgundy, and we discover that we share a philosophy about making any moment the "right moment" for Champagne. She speaks 6 languages and brings a global perspective to the wine industry with a deep appreciation for terroir. You can follow her @its_kobo on Instagram. Recorded June 7, 2020

Certified Sommelier Pepe Fundora grew up in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and his passion for helping people discover new wines lies at the core of all his work. His family owns and operates an Italian restaurant in Alpharetta, GA called Casa Nuova that is extremely connected to the local community. They are known not only for their incredible food and wine program, but also for their generous outreach and fundraising efforts for their local community organizations. Pepe tells me about his time studying engineering at Georgia Tech followed by recounting his wine journey with experiences like working harvests in Napa Valley and Italy where he connected deeply with the farming and engineering aspects of viticulture. We also chat about the Atlanta wine community and what it makes it so unique. Visit www.casanuovarestaurant.com for information about the restaurant, and you can follow Pepe's wine adventures @pepeasomm and @cork.and.glass on Instagram. Recorded May 31, 2020 #makingwineaccessible

Perrine Prieur grew up in France just a few miles from Chablis on her family's farm. Her connection to nature and vineyards started at a very young age, and her passion for food and wine continued to grow while studying culinary arts and hospitality. Upon graduating from Le Castel sommelier school, she moved to London to work in Michelin 3 star restaurant La Gavroche. Her wine career eventually took her to Atlanta in 2006 where she found her calling to open a boutique wine shop reflecting her vision to create a meeting place for the community where people could come to learn, connect, and enjoy. We chat about her upbringing and her philosophies on which she has built the shop, and she shares her insights about what makes the Atlanta wine scene so special. Visit www.perrineswine.com to shop online, learn about upcoming events., and sign up for their e-newsletter. You can also follow @perrineswine on Instagram. Recorded May 17, 2020

This episode features Katie Melchior, a French-speaking blogger and educator based in New York City, who is quickly becoming a leading voice in the digital wine world. She has a wealth of knowledge in French culture and is using her unique online platform to educate and inspire both wine novices and professionals to explore the deep connection between language and place. Using her additional experience in digital advertising and social media, she has established her own brand through blogging and creating educational pronunciation videos as well as connecting with other wine professionals around the world. We talk about her early study abroad experiences and how they have impacted her wine knowledge as well as how living in NYC has fostered a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded food and wine professionals. Check out her blog posts at www.frenchwinetutor.com and follow her on Instagram @frenchwinetutor where you can send her your own French pronunciation requests - santé! Recorded May 10, 2020

This episode explores a slightly different aspect of the wine industry through the media lens of journalist and freelance lifestyle writer, Lia Picard. She is based in Atlanta and reports on food, spirits, travel, decor, and more for a wide variety of online and print publications such as The Washington Post, CNN Travel, Bon Appétit, Playboy, Zagat, Eater, and Atlanta Magazine. Some of her recent work has highlighted the Atlanta wine industry in national outlets, such as Wine Enthusiast, and we've discovered a mutual interest for showcasing the people who are shaping the Atlanta wine scene. We discuss how she is always striving to make connections with local chefs, farmers, and beverage pioneers to uncover the unique stories that feature a personal aspect behind the craft. She also talks about the process of pitching wine stories to the media, her strategies for finding inspiration, and the import concept of intention. For a full list of her published articles, check out her portfolio on www.liapicard.com and follow @liapicard for her food and beverage adventures on Instagram. Recorded May 2, 2020

Sommelier Janeen Jason is one of the welcoming faces you see whenever you shop for wine at VinoTeca in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta, but she's also a talented blind taster and a dedicated mentor for other young wine professionals. More than just a retail store, VinoTeca is also a venue for educational events and tastings that are designed to welcome everyone interested in taking their wine knowledge to the next level. Janeen talks about making the transition from restaurants to retail and how she continues to connect with fellow wine professionals through her own tasting groups and studies. Their shop focuses on celebrating wines from small producers who prioritize their farming practices and also aims to provide quality at all price points. You can find out more about their inventory at www.shopvinoteca.com and you can see how they collaborate to support other local businesses and charitable causes by following them on Instagram @shopvinoteca. Recorded April 28, 2020

This episode takes us virtually to Chattanooga, TN for a visit with Mariano and Angelia Cebrián of Panoram Imports to talk about their portfolio of wines from Argentina. This husband-wife duo met in Georgia during college, but their import business brings Mariano's Argentine culture to the Southeast wine market through their connections with small, quality producers in Mendoza and Salta that they hand-pick for the best quality and value. Their wines come from high altitude vineyards and unique regions in proximity to the Andes Mountains. We chat about their asado catering business and their group travel excursions as well as their new empanada delivery service created in the time of social distancing. You can visit www.panoramimports.com for information about their wines and event services, and you can check out their @panoramimports Instagram page to travel along with them on future vineyard tours. Salud! Recorded April 26, 2020 

This international episode features Adeline Borra, a chef and wine instructor living in Beaune, France. She is creating unique wine and food experiences at her home in Burgundy as part of "Terroirs by Adeline" and is welcoming food and wine lovers from around the world for events and classes. She grew up in France with a distinguished family history in the wine business, but she also attended culinary school in Italy and has trained alongside Michelin-starred Chefs from around the world. So, what makes her an honorary part of the Atlanta wine industry? From 2006, for more than 10 years, she lived in Atlanta sharing her passion for food & wine as a private chef, a cooking instructor, and a contributor for Atlanta Magazine. Her roots still run deep among clients and friends in both France and Georgia, and she welcomes any ATL wine travelers to reach out when planning a trip to Burgundy. Visit www.terroirsbyadeline.com for details about her custom experiences, and follow her adventures @terroirsbyadeline on Instagram. "it always comes back to Burgundy...." Recorded April 24, 2020