About

Dr. Keith Herndon is Professor of Practice in Journalism at the University of Georgia where he has developed and taught courses in food journalism, financial journalism and media management. He holds the Morris Chair in News Strategy and Management and leads the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership as its executive director. Herndon is also a Certified Wine Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator through training with the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute. He holds the American Wine Expert credential from the Napa Valley Wine Academy and is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist through the Wine Scholar Guild along with numerous other regional and industry certificates including a diploma from the Rioja Wine Academy. Herndon and Charlotte Varnum co-produce and co-host the Wines We Drink podcast, which will release its fifth season June 11, 2025. The podcast is a two times winner and five times finalist in the Taste Awards, including winning Best Food or Drink Podcast in 2024. Herndon is also a guest sommelier at Tapped Athens Wine Tasting Market and directs the wine club for residents of a local retirement community. His recent book, Wine Conversations: Exploring Meaning, Mystery and Myth, received a Silver Award in the Nonfiction Book Awards. He has served as a judge in the prestigious James Beard Awards for the past four years. Prior to teaching, Herndon’s media career spanned more than 35 years as a reporter, editor, media technologist and consultant, including vice president of operations at Cox Interactive Media and president of Internet Decisions, LLC. He earned his Ph.D. in media and information from Australia’s Curtin University and holds a master’s in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s in journalism from UGA.

To visit Dr. Herndon's faculty page on the Grady College's website, please click here.