If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into making a world-class bottle of wine—or even imagined sipping wine in Virginia with the woman who made it—this episode is for you.
Emily Hodson is the powerhouse winemaker behind Veritas, Merrie Mill, and Flying Fox Vineyards. But before she was blending Bordeaux-style reds, she was studying infectious diseases. (Yep. You read that right.)
In this conversation, Emily shares:
- Her unexpected path from epidemiology to enology
- Why winemaking is equal parts farming, food production, and finesse
- The truth about terroir, grape stress, and hot vintage years
- Why Virginia’s Cabernet Franc has winemakers swooning
- How to develop your “wine personality” (yes, you have one)
Key Moments:
- Emily’s pivot from science to wine
- What really goes into a great vintage
- The joy of cellar work (and the logistics behind it)
- Emily’s thoughts on Cab Franc, Petit Manseng, and Virginia’s future
- How wine reflects place, people, and personality
This episode is rich, real, and refreshingly honest—just like a great bottle of wine.
For more information about Emily and her wines:
https://www.flyingfoxvineyard.com/
https://www.merriemillfarm.com/
Join my Insiders crew for weekly updates, tips, inspiration, and fun: https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/insider
Looking for my courses or options to work together? https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/about
Wanna sip with us? Join my Sipper Club here: https://pennyforyourshots.com/sip
Learn More, get on the list, or Register for Wine Camp 2026:
https://www.pennyforyourshots.com/winecamp
To connect with Penny, get notified, or learn more, check out www.pennyforyourshots.com
- Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
- Or Facebook: Penny (Kuhlers) Fitzgerald
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