EPISODE #39 CHELSEY BLEVINS/WINEMAKER FIFTY-THIRD WINERY

Chelsey Blevins would tell you that winemaking found her.  It was in 2010 that she visited Horton Vineyards and was given a full tour of the cellars.  It was after the tour that Mike Heny, who was the winemaker at that time asked her if she wanted to work the harvest.  She said, why not.  Thus, her entry into the wine business.  

Next, she got a position at Barboursville Vineyards working in their library tasting cellar.  She caught the wine bug and decided to enroll in the wine program at Piedmont Virginia Community College.  It was there that she met the new owner of Fifty-Third winery David Drillock.  

David was intrigued when he saw this student taking copious notes and decided to approach her about a potential assistant winemaker position working under Graham Bell, his winemaker at that time.  She would go on to succeed him in 2019 as the full-time winemaker. 

Chelsey has had the opportunity to work under some of Virginia's top wine folks like Mike Heny, Luca Paschina and the crew at Barboursville, and Graham Bell.  She is now making her mark and impact on the future of Virginia winegrowing.  She is a star on the rise and someone to watch in the coming years.

Listen to the interview below or read the transcript.  I know you will enjoy the Episode

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