Papa Joe's Wine Cellar
Katie and Beth Talarico learned to make wine at very young ages, helping Papa Joe with what by that time had become a family pastime. Papa Joe started to make wine for family use in Erie in about 1981, and passed on his passion to his girls as soon as they developed an interest. With his cousin, Salvatore, wine making became a family tradition. Katie and Beth’s 5 older brothers also helped in the process, but when the family moved from Erie to Zelienople in 2001, their brothers, who were all adults by then, stayed behind in Erie, and the distance precluded their regular participation, although some of Joe and Deb’s grandkids did assist when available. By this time, wine making was an established segment of Talarico family life.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
