Our Story

Tarpon Cellars
celebrates
people and place +
wine and farmers

We believe the craft
of wine, art and music is an
ever-evolving practice in
care, attention, and intention

Whether it’s in the vineyard, on a canvas, or onstage, there’s always something to learn. The conditions, constantly changing. Every wine. Every song. Every work of art is a reﬂection of a particular place and moment in time. An insight into the skills, style, and spirit of the maker — and also, a story of what it takes to cultivate something into being.

As winemakers, when we taste a new vintage, we delight both our senses and imaginations.

We are, at once, both grounded and transported — by all that we know to be true about the place, seasons, and character of the wine — and all that feels mysterious and magical. That sense of feeling grounded and transported is what art, music, and community also so generously give.
They root and connect us to the past and the process. They inspire and move us in the present moment. They invite us to feel and envision all that’s possible.

Shop All Wines

Here’s to tending the soil in
which they all flourish.

Jeremy Carter Winemaker & Founding Partner

A Georgia native, Jeremy attended Florida State University before moving to the Napa Valley in 2007 for an internship at his uncle’s winery in Rutherford. He would soon hone his winemaking acumen through positions at Luna, Chappellet, and Duckhorn while also studying winemaking at UC Davis. After making wine in Napa, Sonoma, and New Zealand, he wanted to create a brand that focuses on inclusivity and building community. Jeremy splits time between California and Charleston, SC where in his spare time he enjoys live music, oysters, and hot yoga.

Parrish Owens Founding Partner

Parrish developed a passion for wine while touring vineyards in Italy as a student at FSU. The next summer, he returned to Europe where he studied International Food, Wine & Culture. Inspired by these experiences and his business education, he has made a career in the food and beverage industry and enjoys sharing culinary experiences with friends and family. A longtime fan of Jeremyʼs winemaking, he found the perfect partner with which to join the wine business. Parrish lives in Atlanta with his wife Cat, and son James.

Lillian Baker Director of Experience

A Nashville native, Lillian attended Belmont University. As she has always had a love for the outdoors, she moved to Santa Rosa Beach, FL. She and Jeremy crossed paths down on 30A where she was hired as the Marketing Director in 2021. Since she has made Charleston, SC her new home. She has dove deeper in her passion for connecting with people and sharing experiences with others. She is thrilled and feels extremely grateful to be a part of Tarpon – allowing her to grow in all areas of life.

Austin McCord Texas Business Manager

Austin hails from Tallahassee, Florida, but currently resides in Austin, Texas. Austin fell in love with wine after cutting her teeth in bars and restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, and took that love to the West Coast where she expanded her knowledge working for the premier Bay-Area wine bar, “District”. Austin holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership that concentrates on Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy and was drawn to work with Tarpon Cellars because of their sustainability practices and philanthropy efforts. When Austin isn’t working with Tarpon Cellars, she works with non-profits in their capacity-building efforts and volunteers with local organizations like, “Lift Collective,” a non-profit expanding wine education and access to Women and People of Color.

Jack Kauffman East Coast Business Manager

Ever since studying his wine degree in Aix-en-Provence, France during his undergrad years, Jack has been infatuated with the world of wine. Upon returning stateside he produced and directed the award-winning documentary on the Finger Lakes wine region, Uncorked Potential. Immediately following that he pursued Certified Sommelier status with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He then moved to Charleston, South Carolina to run a wine bar as the Wine Director and GM. During his time in Charleston he was able to build his network for private cellar consultation, which he parlayed into a Wine Specialist position at Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Finally, Jack began work with Tarpon Cellars during the summer of 2020, producing visual content for the website and social media accounts. He began his more permanent role in the autumn of 2021, continuing with content production. He now operates as the East Coast Business Director with responsibilities that include securing distribution partners, managing sales, and representing the brand across the eastern seaboard. He recently passed his WSET 3 exam and is now pursing WSET4 Diploma. He now lives in Manhattan and enjoys sailing in his free time.

Samantha Scharf Accounting Manager

Samantha resides in the north but a true southerner at heart, locally from Atlanta and will always stay true to those roots. She is excited to be a part of a great team and happy to be with a company that has values that align with what she believes in.

Jeremy Carter Winemaker & Founding Partner

Parrish Owens Founding Partner

Lillian Baker Director of Experience

Austin McCord Texas Business Manager

Jack Kauffman East Coast Business Manager

Samantha Scharf Accounting Manager

Meet the Artist

Charlie hanavich

It was love at first sight of Picasso’s “Girl Before a Mirror” in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art for Atlanta-based and self-taught artist Charlie Hanavich. “From there, I purchased a large canvas and started painting. I was officially hooked,“ says Hanavich, whose art commands wall space internationally, from private homes to commercial buildings and now a wine label, Tarpon Cellars. Fueled by his interactions and experiences, the painter’s portfolio spans from iconic portraits to wildlife scenes expressing Hanavich’s passions such as music, fashion, and catching tarpon on fly.

CharlieHanavich.com