A Cork in the Road
A Cork in the Road
Creating Opportunities for Wine Education and Exploration
Creating Opportunities for Wine Education and Exploration
Wine Media and Events Specialist
A Cork in the Road, LLC uses wine as a platform for connecting and communicating with wine enthusiasts, novices, professionals, travelers, etc. Through designing wine events, teaching wine classes, producing audio journalism, and creating social media adventures, we help people develop skills to explore their own tastes in wine.
Wine Media
Writes articles and creates digital media for wine travel and education
Tasting Events
Customizes events and designs educational class formats
Wine Handbags
Designed and retails a leather wine handbag with an insulated pocket
Podcast
Interviews people shaping the Southeast wine industry and beyond
About
We partner with wine retailers and restaurants to host wine dinners, classes, and tasting experiences - both in-person and virtually. We also team up with private chefs to design wine pairings for clients. Currently, we are also seeking venue partnerships for hosting our signature "Wine vs Beer Dinners" for continued data collection. If you or your organization are looking for wine event media coverage, we are available to offer promotional partnerships. And per request, we have recently agreed to accept wine samples for assessment as long as there is no endorsement expectation. CONTACT US
Kelly @acorkintheroad
Founder of A Cork in the Road, LLC / Host of "The A Cork in the Road" Podcast
Born in Minnesota, Kelly holds a Masters in Exercise Physiology and completed a study abroad program in Argentina during her undergraduate studies in Kinesiology. While pursuing her career in public health, however, she simultaneously fell in love with wine and has since accumulated 10+ years of wine industry education and experience.
From 2011 - 2013, she worked for a South African winemaker while managing a winery in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia learning all aspects of wine production and tasting room sales. Since then, her interest in the people, places, and history of wine has taken her biking to wineries in Mendoza, exploring tasting rooms in Napa and Sonoma, learning about Gamay vines in Beaujolais, meeting with producers in Northern Rhône, studying Pinot Noir in Burgundy, expanding perceptions of Port in Portugal, and discovering the diversity of microclimates in the Willamette Valley.
After founding A Cork in the Road, LLC in 2018, she has contributed to wine and travel publications, designed multi-course wine pairing dinners for restaurants, produced 100+ episodes of the "A Cork in the Road" podcast, and partnered with retailers to create a wide variety of unique education experiences. She continues to share the joy of all things wine through custom tastings, virtual classes, and Wine vs Beer adventures.
Wine Pocket Handbag Designer
with P. Sherrod & Co. in Atlanta, GA
Partnership with P. Sherrod & Co. began in Atlanta, GA when Donna was planning a fashion show for her line of leather handbags in the fall of 2018. She found Kelly by searching online for a wine educator who could pair wines to several ensembles for the show. At the event, Kelly selected wines based on the style of each look to serve to guests as each model walked the runway. It was a sold-out success and sparked ideas for further collaboration.
Kelly recognized a need among wine lovers for a more practical yet stylish way to carry wine bottles between events, and Donna had the skills and resources to facilitate a design and manufacturing process. Their teamwork guided each wine-loving detail and business decision that has led to the launch of their co-branded specialty handbag for wine lovers.
The first Fall Collection in 2021 sold out, but now after launching several new colors, we have grown to establish retail partners in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California as well as have inventory available for sale through Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
CONTACT US with interest in fashion event collaboration or wholesale partnership.
PODCAST
The "A Cork in the Road" Podcast highlights people who are shaping the Southeast wine industry and beyond.
Or search for "A Cork in the Road" wherever you get your podcasts.
To honor incredible people and share inspiring stories, this podcast shines a light on those who are inspiring education and truly setting the bar in the industry. This series goes behind the wine so you can meet the distributors, retailers, educators, beverage managers, etc. who are shaping the wine market.
Recipient of The Hue Society's
"2023 Podcast of the Year" Award
On Air
We are currently producing 2 episodes each month. Recent guests include:
Episode 121 - Jane Lopes - Sommelier, Importer, and Author
Episode 122 - Braxton Parr, Supervising Video Producer at Wine Enthusiast
Episode 123 - Norie Chinea, Southeast Regional Manager for Laurent-Perrier Champagne
Episode 124 - Adam Venable, Sales Consultant for Winebow
All episodes from Seasons 1-6 are also still available. Share and write us a review. You can also make a monthly contribution on Anchor's platform.
Our Leather Handbag for Wine
A Cork in the Road, LLC and P. Sherrod & Co. have designed a fashionable, high-quality "everyday" style purse that can discreetly carry a bottle of wine separated from other purse items for wine lovers on-the-go between errands, work events, and gatherings with friends.- Insulated wine sleeve (fits most standard 750ml bottles)
- Flap closure snaps securely over the top of a wine bottle
- Inside zip pocket plus pocket for corkscrew
- Studded feet on bottom
- 13.5h x 12w x 5d
- Imported, Colombia
Currently available in 3 colors:- Fuchsia
- Golden Yellow
- Black
Our handbags are also for sale at the following retail partners:1. DRNK wines in Sebastopol, CA2. Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room in Roswell, GA3. R Five Wines in Downingtown, PA4. Wine Enthusiast Magazine online catalogUPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for a ticketed wine education and exploration experience - follow @acorkintheroad for all updates and event announcements
Girl Scout Cookies & Wine
Wednesday, April 10th, 6:00 - 7:30pm
@ Trilith Guesthouse in Fayatteville, GA
This will be our first event at this gorgeous, new Tirlith property! We will be featuring wine pairings designed by female wine experts around Atlanta. Each ticket includes an educational tasting of five wines, five different flavors of Girl Scout cookies, and pairing insight. Guests will also learn about the 5 female wine professionals in Atlanta who designed the pairings for these match-ups. After the event, a local scout will have additional cookie boxes available for guests to purchase.
Blending Session and Tapas -Ross Knoll Vineyard in ATL
Thursday, April 18th, 6:00-9:00pm
@ Marietta Proper in Marietta, GA
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to help determine the final blend for one of Ross Knoll Vineyard's wines! Diane Carpenter, the owner of Ross Knoll Vineyard and the Executive Producer of Somm Films, is coming to Atlanta for a unique night of wine education and wine pairing. The evening will begin with tasting barrel samples and experimenting with several blends and oak profiles. Votes will be tallied to determine the preferred blend for the next bottling! Following the blending session, guests will enjoy 5 tapas and wine pairings designed to highlight and complement the nuances within Ross Knoll's 2022 portfolio of wines.
Blind Tasting: Spanish Grapes
Saturday, May 18th, 4:00 - 6:00pm
@ Limoges Cellars in Cleveland, GA
We are continuing the blind tasting series that started last year! For this session, we will blind taste 2 Albariños, a Tempranillo, a Garnacha (Grenache), and a still and sparkling Xarello. You will enjoy 6 wines, a lesson on each of the various grapes and regions within Spain, how to taste wine, and an ample charcuterie spread. Class participants also receive 10% off purchases the day of class.
Blind Tasting: Pinot Noir
Saturday, June 15th, 4:00 - 6:00pm
@ Limoges Cellars in Cleveland, GA
June's tasting class up in North Georgia will feature Pinot Noir. We will taste 3 warm-climate Pinots next to 3 cool-climate Pinots to compare how growing locations can impact the flavors and expression in wine. Each class enjoys an ample charcuterie spread. Class participants also receive 10% off purchases the day of class.
Wine Events and Education
We host and design wine events for retailers and restaurants - some of our most popular ticketed tasting and event topics include:
Wine vs Beer Data Dinners
Wine Pairing Dinners
Palate Training and Wine Structure Workshop
"PINKies Up" Rosé Exploration
How to Navigate a Local Wine Shop
Discover Small Producers of Sonoma Valley
Discover Small Producers of Virginia
Discover Small Producers of Willamette Valley
Old- vs. New-World Blind Tasting
U.S. Expressions of Classic Grape Varieties
Ross Knoll Vineyard Partnership
A Cork in the Road, LLC serves at the Southeast Educator for a portfolio of wines produced in Sonoma County.
In partnership with Diane Carpenter, a Somm Films Executive Producer, we support the Ross Knoll Vineyard project. This opportunity brings us closer to our roots in wine production, and it is so fun to be able to share these thoughtful small-production wines as part of what we can offer at events and tastings. The Ross Knoll portfolio currently consists of a Rosé of Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley, a White Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley, and a Russian River Pinot Noir produced by winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld.
MEMBERSHIPS
The Ross Knoll team introduced a membership program in 2023 because we sell out of Rosé and White Pinot Noir very quickly; therefore, all our allocations will be offered to members first going forward. We are offering 3 membership levels: I love Rosé, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru. The Grand Cru membership includes "The Sonoma Wine Experience" in collaboration for 4 Sonoma wineries.
Now shipping directly to 11 states: CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA, NEW JERSEY, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS, FLORIDA, VIRGINIA, and GEORGIA. You can also Join the Mailing List, Make a Purchase, or Request a Tasting.PUBLISHED
Available for reporting assignments and media bookings
Contact acorkintheroad@gmail.com
- Guest Speaker at the Fifth Annual Shenandoah Cup, November 2023
- "Hello Grappa Days" feature in Chilled Magazine, September 2023
- "Things to Read Watch and Listen to this Month", Decanter, June 2023
- "Atlanta Blind Speed Tasting" in The SOMM Journal, June/July 2023
- "Grappa: The Perfect Discovery Spirit for Wine Lovers" in SOMM TV Online Magazine, February 2023
- "4 Women Leading the Revival of Port in Porto" - SOMM TV Online Magazine, September 2022
- "Tips for Aging Wine" Telesomm Blog, April 2022
- Included on "Top Wine Podcasts" List, March 2022
- Featured Contribution for Pix Wine, January 2022
- Quoted in Atlanta Magazine, October 2021
- Guest on the #InVinoFab Podcast, October 2021
- Featured in Whalebone Magazine, October 2021
- Featured by Shoutout Atlanta, March 2021
- Contributed to Eggnog Taste Test in HuffPost, Dec 2020
- Quoted in Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Fall 2020
- Article in DiningOut Atlanta Magazine, Spring 2019
- VoyageATL "Trailblazer" Feature, April 2019
- Article in REVEAL Magazine, Fall 2017
The Blog
4 août 2021Introducing a new handbag designed for wine lovers on-the-go A Cork in the Road, LLC and P. Sherrod & Co. have designed a fashionable, high-quality "everyday" style purse that can discreetly carry a bottle of wine separated from other purse items for wine lovers on-the-go between errands, work...18 mai 2021Discover unexpected grapes from California with A Cork in the Road, LLC Tuesday, June 8, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Deep Roots Wine Market 1055 Canton Street #100 Roswell, GA 30075 Wine geeks & novices alike will thoroughly enjoy this fun evening comparing different grape varieties that...18 mai 2021The signature event designed by A Cork in the Road, LLC is back in ATL... Join us for a guided 3-course tasting exploration of wine, beer, and food pairings. Kelly of A Cork In The Road will go up against Hop CIty's beer expert, Kraig Torres (founder and chief hophead of Hop City), for this...Sign Up
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SOCIAL MEDIA FEED
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Copyright 2015