We’re excited to share that Good Grit recently featured Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer of Deep Roots Restaurant Group, in its article “Sips From The Cellar.” Published on August 6, 2026, the feature spotlights wine professionals across the South who are helping make wine feel more approachable, personal, and connected to community.

In the article, Will reflects on the bottle that first sparked his passion for wine: a 2007 Brunello. He recalls being struck by its acidity, structure, and power, an experience that ultimately sent him deeper into the world of wine and helped shape the perspective he brings to the beverage programs at The Hope Farm, The Barn at Hope Farm, and Little Bird.

The feature also highlights the Little Bird Pinot Noir, a custom wine created by Left Coast Estate in Oregon in collaboration with Will and the Deep Roots team. Crafted specifically for the group’s wine program, the Pinot Noir blends fruit from three vineyards and is poured exclusively across Deep Roots Restaurant Group properties. Even the label carries a Fairhope connection, originating from artwork commissioned for Little Bird’s wine room.

Above all, Will emphasizes that wine should never feel intimidating or overly formal. His philosophy centers on comfort, connection, and the memories created around a bottle, whether it is enjoyed in a fine dining room or somewhere completely unexpected. We’re proud to see Will and Deep Roots Restaurant Group included in a story celebrating the people making Southern wine culture more welcoming and meaningful.

Click here to read the full article :