A Cork in the Road

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

Sean Omar is the founder and owner of The Wine Guide in Atlanta, GA. He brings his passion for wine culture and world travels to his business of curating wine orders for his clients, hosting in-home tastings, and building partnerships with local wine shops. He studied abroad in Argentina and Spain during college, and he continues to weave his knowledge from those experiences into his wine education and services. Check out www.thewineguideatl.com and don't hesitate to send him a DM on Instagram @thewineguideatl #stayhome  Recorded April 19, 2020

Clarke Anderson is a talented sommelier serving as beverage manager for Ford Fry’s restaurants, such as King + Duke, St. Cecilia, and No. 246 in Decatur. He has a wealth of experience working in restaurants and traveling for wine, and he capitalizes on his passion for hospitality and wine education in his current role. We chatted about how he got started in his wine career by picking up a book at a yard sale and how his journey has led him to becoming a mentor for other aspiring wine professionals as a founding member of the Southeastern Sommelier Society. You can catch him on instagram at @clarkeanderson and also follow @sommsouth for education opportunities - www.sommsouth.org

Eric Miller is the son of Bob and Jane Miller, the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. He is the General Manager of the winery business, and he shared a lot of interesting insight about winery management when I visited the family's home on the North Georgia property for an afternoon chat. We talked about the past, present, and future of Georgia wine. You can find him in the tasting room when you visit for a tour, and he also plays live music with his dad at the winery on the weekends. Check out their upcoming events to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media.  Recorded June 2019

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