When TC Frazier got his first job bussing tables at a restaurant at age 14, he never imagined the catalyst that would be for his future career. Born and raised in North Carolina, where sweet tea and Coca-Cola are part of the cultural fabric, TC began his hospitality journey with the simple goal of earning enough money to buy his first car. As a young teen, he quickly learned that the more you know about a product, the more confidently you can share it. “Everybody wants a guide,” TC says, and in hospitality, that guidance is everything.
TC continued honing his skills and gaining experience in the industry, everywhere from college bars to fine-dining establishments, and eventually moved to Boone in 2005, where he became Beverage Director at the prestigious Chetolah Resort. The role meant serving an affluent clientele, but it also gave him his “aha moment” with wine—understanding why certain bottles are more valuable or sought after. The years there deepened his culinary knowledge and cemented his belief that wine is “bottled art you can consume” and, as TC sees it, the perfect intersection of geography, history, and culture.
By 2010, life brought TC to Greensboro and he stepped into the wholesale wine world, connecting with buyers at restaurants and country clubs. TC’s network grew significantly, and he quickly gained a local following for his expertise and special subset of skills. Plain and simple, TC knew wine. He passed the Society of Wine Educators’ rigorous 100-question exam, becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine. And, eventually, he built an extensive contact list and kept a running folder of wine ideas and offerings. His monthly email grew to more than a thousand subscribers, all driven by word-of-mouth—still his favorite form of advertising.
When the pandemic hit, it sped up a plan that had been quietly taking shape in TC’s mind. Vintage 82 arose from this unique time of opportunity. Named after his birth year and one of the most celebrated Bordeaux vintages of the 20th century, his wine concierge business blends his industry connections with a deeply personal approach. Need to source a specific bottle of wine? “I can text a guy and find it,” TC says. He has access to 40 different wholesale vendors, compared to the handful that most restaurants and wine bars use. TC is truly a self-described “wine bounty hunter,” sourcing bottles for everyone from seasoned collectors to first-time buyers. Whether you need two bottles for a dinner party or ten cases for an event, TC’s a valuable resource, and he gives the same time and attention to each and every customer.
His business model is lean—no flashy storefront, just a 400-square-foot office at Revolution Mill and the flexibility to host tastings at the art gallery there at the Mill, or any event space or home where someone’s willing to host him. Events are intimate, educational, and rarely feature the same group of guests twice. Education is at the heart of what he does. Instead of intimidating wine novices, he asks leading questions about food preferences, style, and mood, building a “character profile” to match clients with the perfect bottle. “No other agricultural product is grown with this diversity,” he says. And while big-box stores and online retailers can deliver wine, he believes people still put a premium on a human connection.
When asked his favorite wine, his answer is simple: “Whatever’s in my glass at the time.” Whether it’s a crisp Vinho Verde, an Oregon pinot noir, or a rare French varietal, what matters most is the pairing—a good wine, a good meal, and good company. For TC, Vintage 82 isn’t about selling the most wine—it’s about building lasting relationships and staying present for his two young children. “Wine’s always there,” he says, “but the people you share it with, that’s the real reward.”
Learn more about Vintage82 at https://vintage82wine.com/
Wine is bottled art you can consume, and the perfect intersection of geography, history, and culture.