B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 11 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 11 a leading distributor of fresh muscadines to grocery wholesalers; however, Paulk wanted to create a line of value-added muscadine products. Paulk wanted to find a way to get more products from a muscadine by using all parts of the grape including the juice, pulp, skin, and seed. Two years after returning to the family farm, Paulk established the Muscadine Products Corporation (MPC) to develop muscadine juices, jellies, and dietary supplements, which are made from the skins and seeds of the grape. Distributed under the Paulk’s Pride label, the purple and white muscadine juice received the prestigious “Flavor of Georgia” recognition in 2015 and 2016. Paulk’s Pride products continue to be a family-run operation, with Paulk’s wife, Jorjanne, overseeing production of the jellies, which are made in small batches to ensure the highest quality and flavorful taste. Paulk explained that after the handpicked grapes are distributed to the grocery store, the next step involves using a machine to harvest grapes that are used to make the juice, wine, and jelly products. Within the 25,000-square-foot MPC facility, located at Paulk Vineyards, the process begins to separate the juice from the seeds and skins. “After the juice is pressed, we process the seeds and skins into dietary supplements,” Paulk said. “I have ended up with an ingredients business. I need the skins and seeds to make the dietary supplements, so first I make the juice and wine.” Paulk’s Pride production of muscadine wine is the company’s latest value-added venture. Paulk Vineyards has been supporting the wine industry for years through the sale of muscadines to wineries in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. “We have put up 2,000 gallons each of red and white wine for the first year,” Paulk said. “This will give us about 20,000 bottles.” In addition to his work with MPC and Paulk Vineyards, Paulk serves on the Irwin County Board of Commissioners and the Irwin County Hospital Authority, and he is a member of the Ocilla Rotary Club.