PODCAST · society
A Cork in the Road
by Kelly
This award-winning Atlanta-based wine podcast shares engaging conversations with wine professionals and culture-shapers. Each episode makes wine human and accessible by featuring thoughtful discussions with winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, and creative voices from across the wine world. The focus is on the people, journeys, and experiences that shape how wine fits into our lives. It highlights both local and global perspectives making it a go-to wine podcast for listeners who want authentic storytelling and enaging conversations. Named Hue Society's "Podcast of the Year" in 2023.
Episodes
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Episode 186 — Tasting Artisanal Korean Rice Wine LIVE at The Oenophile Institute with Alice Jun of Hana Makgeolli
In Episode 186, Kelly and fellow Atlanta beverage professionals explore Korean rice wine with Alice Jun, founder and brewer of Brooklyn-based Hana Makgeolli. Recorded live at The Oenophile Institute in Atlanta, this conversation highlights makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine with deep...
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Episode 185 - Sake & Food Pairing with Sake Samurai Chris Johnson LIVE at The Vine Club in Atlanta
What happens when the worlds of wine and sake overlap? In this live audience episode of A Cork in the Road at The Vine Club, Kelly sits down with Chris Johnson, the National Sales Director for World Sake Imports, to explore the craft, culture, and culinary possibilities of sake with a series of...
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Episode 184 - Wine, Drums & Wanderlust with Sommelier Emma Rubenstein
What happens when a classically trained musician pursues a career in wine? For Emma Rubenstein, it means becoming a Certified Sommelier, Assistant General Manager at Atlanta’s Cooks & Soldiers, and a drummer in a Brazilian psych band. In Episode 184 of A Cork in the Road, Kelly sits down with…
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Episode 183 - NBA Player CJ McCollum on Basketball, Wine, and the Willamette Valley
What happens when a professional basketball career collides with a passion for wine? For NBA player CJ McCollum, it looks a lot like owning a winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and continuing to study wine with the same curiosity and dedication he brings to the basketball court. In this live...
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Episode 182 - Blood of Gods Merrymaking in Walla Walla with The Wine Makers Podcast and Delmas Wines
Episode 182 takes A Cork in the Road “on the road” to Walla Walla, Washington, for a special crossover episode with our friends at The Wine Makers podcast. Recorded during Blood of Gods Annual Merrymaking, an unforgettable festival celebrating the intersection of wine, art, music, and heavy…
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Episode 181 - Sake and Michelin Stars with Sommelier Kiki Austin at Mujō Atlanta
Episode 181 of A Cork in the Road welcomes Kiki Austin, Atlanta's acclaimed sake sommelier and the head sommelier at Michelin-starred Mujō. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Kiki's journey into sake began with a single drink after karate class and has since taken her from wine…
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Episode 180: From the Classroom to Buford Highway - A Teacher's Journey Through Atlanta's Wine Scene with Bejay Osby
From the classroom to the wine bar, Bejay Osby has spent nearly two decades proving that education comes in many forms. In Episode 180 of A Cork in the Road, Kelly sits down with the longtime Atlanta educator and wine student to explore how his career as a school teacher has naturally…
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Episode 179 - Champagne, Caviar, and a Journey from Hollywood to Laurent-Perrier with Poppi Monroe LIVE at The Vine Club
Episode 179 features an entertaining recording at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with a live audience conversation and tasting hosted by Poppi Monroe, the U.S. Central Regional Sales Manager for Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Joined by a room full of women working throughout the Atlanta wine industry,...
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Episode 178 - Why the Monticello Wine Trail in Virginia Is Bringing Wine and Golf Together
What happens when the worlds of wine and golf collide? More than you might think. In Episode 178 of A Cork in the Road, we welcome two Virginia wine industry leaders - Stephen Barnard, the Winemaker for Keswick Vineyards, and Lance Lemon, the owner of Penny’s Wine Shop and Parallax Project Wines…
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Episode 177 - What Wine Pairs with Lemon Pepper Wings? Atlanta Sommelier Showdown LIVE at The Perlant
Episode 177 brings together two things Atlanta takes seriously: lemon pepper chicken wings and great wine. Recorded live at The Perlant, this episode features five Atlanta sommeliers taking on a pairing challenge to find the perfect wine combo for Chef Dene Lynn’s wings while a panel of culinary...
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Episode 176 - California Wine History and Hip-Hop Music Pairings with Winemaker Matt Taylor LIVE at The Oenophile Institute
Episode 176 takes us live to The Oenophile Institute for an engaging audience conversation with winemaker Matt Taylor, a third-generation Sonoma County native whose thoughtful approach to farming and winemaking has made him one of California’s most compelling voices in small-production wine.…
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Episode 175 - How to Train Your Palate for Blind Tasting: Celebrating 15 Years of the Annual “Somm Smackdown” Competition at Vino Venue with a Panel of Atlanta Wine Professionals
Step into the minds of sommeliers and wine professionals to discover what really happens when they sit down to identify wines in a blind tasting. In Episode 175, recorded live at Vino Venue, we bring together a panel of seasoned blind tasters who are veterans of Atlanta’s annual “Somm Smackdown”...
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Episode 174 - Inside the World of Wine Importing and Opening a Jeroboam of Tissot with Thomas Meunier of Authentique Vin LIVE at The Vine Club in Atlanta
Episode 174 of A Cork in the Road brings the energy of a live audience straight to your headphones with a dynamic conversation and tasting recorded at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA. We continue our mission of making wine more human and accessible this time through a behind-the-scenes look at the...
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Episode 173 - A Live Audience Tasting at The Oenophile Institute Celebrating 10 Generations of Sancerre with Arnaud Bourgeois
This episode features a live audience conversation and tasting at The Oenophile Institute in Smyrna, GA with Arnaud Bourgeois, the General Manager of Domaine Henri Bourgeois in the Loire Valley of France. For 10 generations, his family has been helping people discover and appreciate the unique...
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Episode 172 - A Live Audience Exploration of Madame Pommery’s Legacy and Bubbles from Around the World with Pauline Vranken, the CEO of Vranken-Pommery America
This episode features a live audience conversation and tasting at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Pauline Vranken, the Chief Executive Officer of Vranken-Pommery America. This was Pauline’s first ever visit to Atlanta, and she brought a variety of sparkling wines for us to taste from…
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Episode 171 - Planting Seeds for Wine’s Future: Community, Access, and Oeno Camp in Virginia
Episode 171 of A Cork in the Road explores how access, education, and community can reshape the wine industry through the lens of Oeno Camp, an annual immersive multi-day program designed for BIPOC wine professionals and enthusiasts based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Created through a…
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Episode 170 - Building a Successful Wine Retail Career After Studying Biology and Biochemistry with Isuru Vidanage, Wine Buyer at Elemental Spirits Co.
This episode features a conversation with Isuru Vidanage, the Wine Buyer at Elemental Spirts Co. in Atlanta, GA. Born in Houston, TX to Sri Lankan immigrants, Isuru went to high school in Macon, GA and later moved to Atlanta for college. He earned a degree in Biology with a distinction in...
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Episode 169 - Live Audience Port Tasting and Masterclass at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Chris Forbes, the Deputy Managing Director for Taylor’s Port
This episode features a live audience conversation and Port tasting with Chris Forbes, the Deputy Managing Director for Taylor’s Port. Chris joined the company in 2007 and was initially responsible for the management of all Special Marketing projects across the company’s three main brands. He…
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Episode 168 - Listener Q&A to Close Out the Year, Amanda Kimbrough of Avant Partir Interviews Kelly of A Cork in the Road
This episode features a very different type of conversation for the podcast with the tables turned, the script flipped – Amanda Kimbrough of Avant Partir sits down to interview Kelly of A Cork in the Road while they also field some questions submitted by podcast listeners. We hope this gives you…
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Episode 167 - New Opportunities for Wine Tourism with Jacqueline Strum, President & Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media
This episode featuring a conversation with Jacqueline Strum, President & Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, as the second generation of her family’s business. She began her career in marketing and public relations, working with agencies such as Hunter PR and Mission Media, before moving into...
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Episode 166 - Winemaker Rajat Parr Returns for a Live Audience Tasting at The Vine Club in Atlanta
This episode features a live audience tasting and conversation at The VIne Club in Atlanta, GA with winemaker Rajat Parr of Phelan Farm in Cambria, CA. Rajat first made an appearance on the show in May of 2024 for Episode 128 where we talked about the ethos of Phelan Farm and his dedication to...
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Episode 165 - Atlanta Wine Professionals Pair Wines with Anna Bell's Mac & Cheese LIVE at The Perlant
This live audience episode at The Perlant is dedicated to the art of food and wine pairings as we look forward to the holiday season. This episode is generously sponsored by the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, which has an incredible connection to this episode’s featured guest and has supported his growth...
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Episode 164 - Tasting the Legacy of Champagne Philippe Gonet with Chantal Gonet Recorded LIVE at The Vine Club
This episode features our live audience conversation with Chantal Gonet of Champagne Philippe Gonet recorded at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA. Chantal and her brother, Pierre, were pressed into service after the untimely death of their father, Philippe. Chantal was in a Parisian engineering school...
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Episode 163 - Celebrating 37 Generations of Italian Winemaking History with a Live Audience at The Vine Club Featuring Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi, the Owner of Rocca di Montegrossi in Chianti Classico
This episode features our live audience conversation with Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi, the current owner of Rocca di Montegrossi in Tuscany, recorded at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA. Marco has 37 generations of family history in Italy, and he is a descendant of Bettino Ricasoli, who played a central...
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Episode 162 - "Tasting Through the Lifecycle" with Chavonne White, a Personal Development Coach, Psychology Student, Author, and Licensed Cosmetologist
This episode features a conversation with Chavonne White, a Licensed Cosmetologist, Personal Development Coach, Author, and Wine Enthusiast dedicated to helping people live authentically. She is the creator of I Am ME (My Essence) and the author of publications called "The Unveiling of a Queen"…
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Episode 161 - Exploring Creativity in Wine Marketing and a Preview of Programming for the 2026 Direct to Consumer Wine Sympoisum with Consulting Firm Executive, Barbara Gorder
This episode features a conversation with Barbara Gorder, a consultant to the wine business who recently became the Managing Partner for the Direct to Consumer (DTC) Wine Symposium. We met at the 2025 edition of this conference out in Monterey, CA, and I am currently designing a session for the...
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Episode 160 - Live Audience Bottleshare at The Oenophile Institute with Ikimi Woodson, the CEO of The Roots Fund
This episode features a live audience conversation and bottleshare with Ikimi Woodson, the CEO of The Roots Fund, recorded in Smyrna, GA at The Oenophile Institute. The Roots Fund is a non-profit that empowers underrepresented communities within the wine and spirits industry to build successful...
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Episode 159 - The Past, Present, and Future of the Wine Industry in Northern Michigan with Taylor Simpson, Co-Owner of Good Harbor Vineyards and Aurora Cellars on the Leelanau Peninsula
This episode features a conversation with Taylor Simpson, one half of the second-generation team that now owns and operates two wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan. The Simpson family first planted their roots on the Leelanau Peninsula in the 1950s when visionary entrepreneur...
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Episode 158 - Exploring Californian Viticulture Through the Lens of Traditionally-Made Sparkling Wines with Tom Sherwood, the Owner and Winemaker of BXT Wines
This episode features my conversation with Tom Sherwood, the owner and winemaker of BXT Wines in California. BXT is an exploration of Californian viticulture through the lens of traditionally made sparkling wine. The idea of “Bubbles by Tom“ (BXT) is to take a grower-Champagne mentality and apply...
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Episode 157 - Live at The Vine Club with Suzanne Denevan-Brown, the Show Runner for Maze Row Wine Merchant and VOICES Magazine
This episode features a conversation recorded live at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Suzanne Denevan-Brown, the Show Runner / Estate Director for a US importer and exporter of fine wines called Maze Row Wine Merchant. Maze Row represents a curated collection of wines from artisan producers...
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Episode 156 - The Art of Wine Communication with Chicago-Based Marketer, Award-Winning Writer, and Wine Culture Expert, Chasity Cooper
This episode features my conversation with Chicago-based marketer, award-winning writer, and wine culture expert, Chasity Cooper. She recently attended Riesling Camp in the Finger Lakes region of New York with some good friends from the Atlanta wine industry, and I was excited to learn more about...
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Episode 155 - Minnesota Roots and Sustainability Efforts with Scott Neal, the Winemaker/Owner of Coeur de Terre Vineyard in the Willamette Valley
This episode features a conversation with Scott Neal, the winemaker and owner at Coeur de Terre Vineyard in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Along with his wife Lisa, they crafted a humble 57 cases in their inaugural 2002 vintage but have grown to making over 6000 cases a year of Pinot Noir,...
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Episode 154 - Live at FORTH Club with Nicola Lenci, the co-owner of Fattoria di Magliano in the Maremma region of Tuscany
This episode features our live audience conversation with members of FORTH Club in Atlanta, GA and Nicola Lenci, the co-owner of Fattoria di Magliano, a winery located in the Maremma region of Tuscany. Nicola has been working at the estate since 2010, first in the vineyards and later in the…
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Episode 153 - Live Audience at The Vine Club with Winemaker Blair Guthrie of Stewart Cellars
This live audience episode features winemaker Blair Guthrie of Stewart Cellars located in Yountville of Napa Valley in California. We gathered at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with 20 Atlanta wine professionals and friends of the wine industry thanks to Aaron Cooper of @trickingoffainteasy who...
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Episode 152 - Live at The Vine Club with Sam Bilbro, the Founder and Winemaker for Idlewild Wines
This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Sam Bilbro, the founder and winemaker for Idlewild WInes in California. Sam grew up hanging out in a winery converted from an old cow barn, walking vineyards, and tasting blends with his dad who founded…
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Episode 151 - Kevin OSullivan, the Director of Sales for Prime Wine & Spirits
This episode features a conversation with Kevin OSullivan, the Director of Sales at Prime Wine & Spirits. He has almost 20 years of experience working in the Atlanta wine industry, so we take a walk down memory lane to discuss his "wine origin story" and what led to his passion for wine. He has a...
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BONUS - "Tie Dye Before the High" Live at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Sam Coturri, Eric Crane, and Taylor Sublett
This "bonus" episode was recorded live at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA the Tuesday evening before the annual High Museum Wine Auction. Our friends from WInery Sixteen 600 were in town, and we threw a "Tie Dye Before the High" bottleshare and vinyl party to celebrate a bunch of people who make the...
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Episode 149 - Live Audience at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Christian Wylie, the Managing Director for Bodega Garzón in Uruguay
This episode features a live audience conversation recorded at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA with Christian Wylie, the Managing Director for Bodega Garzón in Uruguay. Christian is responsible for the entire winery and all aspects of its operations – production, winemaking, viticulture, marketing,...
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Episode 148 - Building Community and Connection Through Craft Beverages with Beer Educator, Jen Price, Founder of Crafted for Action
This episode features a conversation focusing on community connections and craft beer with Jen Price, a beer educator, a Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and the author of The Chick’s Guide to Beer: 7 Simple Rules for the Beer Novice. Jen grew up in Decatur, GA, and her work is dedicated to...
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Episode 147 - Creative Wine Professional, Desiree Harrison-Brown, Founder of WINO NOIRE and The Wino Shop
This episode features a conversation with Desiree Harrison-Brown, a wine educator, content creator, and entrepreneur based in Maryland dedicated to making wine approachable, engaging, and fun. She has built a dynamic career that blends education, storytelling, and community-building—proving that...
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Episode 146 - Marketing, Social Media Strategy, and Glassware Design with Wine Educator and Brand Consultant, Kimber Warren
This episode features a conversation with Kimber Warren, a wine educator and brand consultant based in Atlanta, GA who is also the founder of a forthcoming glassware company. She is originally from Savannah, GA but spent the past 15 years in New York City before returning to her family in Georgia...
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Episode 145 - Live Audience at The Oenophile Institute with Laurent Noblet, the Director of Sales for USA & Canada for Henri Bourgeois Estates
This episode features a live audience conversation at The Oenophile Institute in Smyrna, GA with Laurent Noblet, the Director of Sales for USA & Canada for Henri Bourgeois Estates. He is based in Atlanta, GA but manages sales for three French wineries and one estate in New Zealand. In this…
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Episode 144 - George Staikos, the Founder and Educator of The Educated Grape, and special guest, Marvella Castaneda, the 2024 Sommlympics "Star du Spectacle" Recipient
This episode features a conversation with George Staikos, the Founder and Educator of The Educated Grape, as well as a guest appearance from the 2024 Sommlympics "Star du Spectacle" award recipient, Marvella Castaneda. George serves as the Head of Education for the US Bureau for the Comité...
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Episode 143 - Live Audience at The Vine Club with Thibaut Marquis, North America Export Manager for Maison Louis Jadot
This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Thibaut Marquis, the North America Export Manager for Maison Louis Jadot. Thibaut is originally from the Loire Valley in France, but he has lived in several countries, including South Africa, Argentina, and…
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Episode 142 - Live with Biodynamic Farmer and Loire Valley Winemaker, Xavier Amirault, at The Vine Club in Atlanta
This episode features an in-person conversation with Xavier Amirault, Owner and Winemaker of Domaine Amirault located in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in the Loire Valley. Domaine Amirault's Clos des Quarterons is a 92-acre vineyard and it has been in the Amirault family for six generations. The...
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Episode 141 - Live Audience with Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Manager for Mollydooker Wines, at The Vine Club in Atlanta
This episode features a live audience conversation at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Manager for Mollydooker Wines. Luke is the son of Sarah Marquis, the Owner and Chief Winemaker, and he is responsible for the US market as part of the winery’s sales team. He is also...
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Episode 140 - Sarah Hughes Bray - Wine Writer, Educator, and Brand Consultant
This episode features Sarah Hughes Bray, a wine educator, writer, and brand consultant who is the 6th generation of an Atlanta-based family and was recently named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 2024 Future 40 innovators in wine. After a diverse career journey in publishing and the auction world,...
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Episode 139 - Dr. Miray Seward, Researcher and Consultant
This episode features Dr. Miray Seward, a researcher and consultant who developed her love for wine while living in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia with more than ten years of experience conducting...
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Episode 138 - Bicoastal Winemaker, Kieran Robinson, of R Five Wines
This episode features a follow-up conversation with Kieran Robinson of R Five Wines, a winemaker who now splits his time between his tasting room in the suburbs of Philadelphia and the vineyards of Sonoma County. We first spoke with Kieran and his wife, Kristie, back in November of 2020 for…
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Episode 137 - Diane Carpenter, Ross Knoll Vineyard
This episode features Diane Carpenter of Ross Knoll Vineyard discussing the process of preparing for retirement and producing the final vintage of her Ross Knoll wines. Her transparency and honesty is incredible to hear as she talks about the journey of planting a vineyard, starting a wine label,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This award-winning Atlanta-based wine podcast shares engaging conversations with wine professionals and culture-shapers. Each episode makes wine human and accessible by featuring thoughtful discussions with winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, and creative voices from across the wine world. The focus is on the people, journeys, and experiences that shape how wine fits into our lives. It highlights both local and global perspectives making it a go-to wine podcast for listeners who want authentic storytelling and enaging conversations. Named Hue Society's "Podcast of the Year" in 2023.
HOSTED BY
Kelly
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Cork in the Road have?
A Cork in the Road currently has 186 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Cork in the Road about?
This award-winning Atlanta-based wine podcast shares engaging conversations with wine professionals and culture-shapers. Each episode makes wine human and accessible by featuring thoughtful discussions with winemakers, sommeliers, wine educators, and creative voices from across the wine world. The...
How often does A Cork in the Road release new episodes?
A Cork in the Road publishes regularly with 186 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to A Cork in the Road?
You can listen to A Cork in the Road on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Cork in the Road?
A Cork in the Road is created and hosted by Kelly.
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