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 tasting room at 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.
Find "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
Long-listed for the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards in 2024
On Air
We are currently producing 2 episodes each month. Recent guests include:
Episode 154 - Live at FORTH Club with Nicola Lenci, the co-owner of Fattoria di Magliano in the Maremma region of Tuscany
Episode 155 - Minnesota Roots and Sustainability Efforts with Scott Neal, the Winemaker/Owner of Coeur de Terre Vineyard in the Willamette Valley
Episode 156 - The Art of Wine Communication with Chicago-Based Marketer, Award-Winning Writer, and Wine Culture Expert, Chasity Cooper
Episode 157 - Live at The Vine Club with Suzanne Denevan-Brown, the Show Runner for Maze Row Wine Merchant and VOICES Magazine
Share and leave us a review. You can also inquire about our monthly presenting sponsorships and adverttising opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for a ticketed wine education and exploration experience - follow @acorkintheroad for all updates and event announcements.
Women & Wine - Panel & Tasting
Thursday, July 24th @ 6:00pm
@ The Fox Theatre
Celebrate the influential women shaping Atlanta’s wine scene and enjoy an evening of wine tastings, paired bites, and an inspiring panel discussion featuring industry leaders who will share their stories and expertise. This curated experience invites attendees to sip, savor, and connect in the premium Marquee Club presented by Lexus.
Blind Tasting - Sparkling Wines!
Sunday, August 3rd 4:00-6:00pm
@ Limoges Cellars
August is dedicated to all the sparkling wine! You will compare and contrast the different methods for making sparkling wine side by side in a guided tasting. You'll learn all about the styles and terminology during class while you pick out your favorite kind of bubbles. There will be a flight of 6 wines along with a beautiful charcuterie spread.
ATL Food Staples WIne Dinner
Thursday, August 14th 7:00-9:00pm
@ Epicurean Atlanta Theatre
Join us to celebrate the wealth of culinary diversity in Atlanta with a night of innovative wine pairings! This ATL-centric wine and culinary exploration will feature wine pairings designed by Sommelier Ryan Mullins as Chef Stephanie Echeverria presents 5 dishes representing 5 classic Atlanta staples inspired by beloved local restaurants.
3rd Annual Sommlympics
Sunday, January 11th, 2026
10:00am-7:00pm
@ FORTH Hotel
It's back—and bolder than ever. This high-stakes showdown pushes wine professionals to their limits, testing sharp minds, steady hands, and finely tuned palates across three equally demanding arenas: theory, service, and blind tasting. Teams of three industry experts—whether they work the floor, the cellar, or the classroom—will battle it out under pressure, all in a thrilling new venue with revamped rules and game-changing prizes. This isn’t just a competition. It’s a celebration of mastery, nerve, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in wine.
A Cork in the Road is designing a session for the 2026 DTCWSJanuary 20-22, 2026 in Monterey, CA
The Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium is more than an industry event — it’s the driving force behind progress in winery DTC shipping, leadership, and education. Presented by Free the Grapes, this annual gathering funds this 501(6)C’s work to eliminate shipping restrictions and expand consumer choice in wine across the U.S.Meet the dedicated volunteer Steering Committee whose leadership makes this event — and its impact — possible. A Cork in the Road will be designing and hosting a panel presentation for the 2026 programming.
2026 Program Coming Soon
Press & Media
We attend press trips and share stories from the wine industry across a variety of media platforms.
Our work and contributions:
- Mentioned in Atlanta has a taste for wine, despite dwindling consumption globally article in Atlanta Business Chronicle - July 2025
- Contributed to What to Pair with Southern Cuisine in Decanter Magazine - May 2025
- Quoted in Napa Magazine Issue No. 19 - Page 18 - April 2025
- ATL Staples Wine Pairing Dinner YOUTUBE Recap - November 2024
- Sip, Swirl, Win: Sommlympics Turns Wine Tasting into a Competitive Sport - Men's Journal, September 2024
- Uncorking a Tee Time at the Intersection of Wine and Golf - Men's Journal, May 2024
- Quoted in Despite Heat, Humidity and Skepticism, Wines From the American South Find Their Audience - Wine Enthusiast, May 2023
- Grappa: The Perfect Discovery Spirit for Wine Lovers - SommTV Magazine, February 2023
- A Cork in the Road on The Wine Makers Podcast - The Wine Makers, February 2023
- 4 Women Leading the Revival of Port in Porto - SommTV Magazine, September 2022
- Quoted in The Wine World's Never Been So Convenient - Whalebone Magazine, September 2021
- Meet Kelly Cornett: Wine Consultant and Event Specialist - Shoutout Atlanta, March 2021
- Quoted in Eggnog Taste Test: The Best And Worst Nogs For Your Buck - HuffPost, December 2020
- Meet Trailblazer Kelly Cornett - VoyageATL, April 2019
- The Great Vineyards, Wineries, and Cellars of North Georgia - DiningOut Atlanta Magazine, Spring/Summer 2019 (p. 96-99)
October 2024 ATL Dinner Recap
Watch Online Here: YOUTUBE LINK
On September 24, 2024, Fox 5 Atlanta’s Good Day Atlanta invited us to preview some of the ATL-inspired dishes and wine pairings on the menu for an event we designed for the Epicurean Atlanta Theatre. During the segment, Kelly of A Cork in the Road talked about some of the wine pairings while Chef Stephanie Echeverria cooked and plated two of the featured dishes - Lemon Pepper Wet Chicken Wings and Tacos Estilos Jaliscos.
On June 4, 2024, Fox 5 Atlanta’s Good Day Atlanta invited us to preview some of the looks featured in our Summer Sip & Style Showcase at Epicurean Atlanta. During the segment, Kelly of A Cork in the Road talked about some of the wine and food pairings while Donna of P. Sherrod & Co. highlighted the themed pieces from our featured designers. We also gave away the secret that the handbag we designed together holds a bottle of wine...
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 catalog
Ross Knoll Vineyard Partnership
A Cork in the Road, LLC served as the Southeast Educator for a portfolio of wines produced in Sonoma County.
In partnership with Diane Carpenter, an Executive Producer of Somm Films and Co-founder of Somm TV, we supported the Ross Knoll Vineyard project 2022-2024. This opportunity brought us closer to our roots in wine production, and it has been an honor to share these thoughtful small-production wines as part of what we can offer at events and tastings. The Ross Knoll portfolio includes Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon produced by winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, and the fall of 2024 marked the release of our 5th and final vintage as Diane prepares for retirement.
NOW AVAILABLE: THE FINAL VINTAGE & "THE PROPER BLEND"
The final release of 2023 Ross Knoll Vineyard wines includes a Pinot Noir designed during a blending and tasting event at Marietta Proper in Marietta, GA. "The Proper Blend" Pinot Noir now available! Additionally, the "David's Cab" Cabernet Sauvignon will also be available later this fall, offered first to current members of the RKV club.
Shipping to 11 states: CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA, NEW JERSEY, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS, FLORIDA, VIRGINIA, and GEORGIA.FOLLOW
@acorkintheroad #acorkintheroad
