For a winemaker, patience is indeed a virtue. Friendliness and a willingness to share knowledge certainly count, and that's great if you're coming for a visit to our winery. Where else can you take a tour of a winery and have the opportunity to speak directly with the winemakers themselves?

Tom Burgiss
"Crazy" Tom didn't originally plan to be a winemaker, but his training and 40-year career as a pharmacist certainly helped prepare him for his current position as "Doctor Wine" of Thistle Meadow Winery. Tom's skills as a wine mixologist are legendary in the hills of North Carolina.

Tom first began making wine in 1996 after a visit to Victoria, British Columbia where he discovered the art of making wine at home in small quantities. Over the years, Tom has made several batches of wine, and he's an expert at tweaking a wine to fit the most discriminating palate. His favorite wine to drink is Beaujolais, because he says it's good for the heart. Tom lives next door to the winery in Laurel Springs with his wife Nancy, in an old family farmhouse that has been converted to a mountaintop bed and breakfast.

Paul Kovacich
Paul started making the wine for Thistle Meadow Winery in September of 2006.  Prior to that, he helped out in the tasting room and over at Grapestompers.  While attending college in Vermont, Paul got a chance to soak up the Northern homebrewing culture and try many great microbrew beers and Finger Lake wines.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys playing his guitar or mandolin and hanging out on the New River.

Scott Griffin
Scott first began making wine when he started working for the winery in 1999. Since that time, Scott has made hundreds batches of red, white and blush wine, and he helps out at all the wine festivals we participate in each year.

In his free time, Scott likes to drive his tractor and hunt. He actively competes in long range shooting events. Scott's right on target every time!