From chemistry to community: How Transy alumni built Ghost Fox Winery

The name Ghost Fox is rooted in Japanese superstition. In Japan, people answer the phone by saying “moshi moshi,” and the caller responds with the same phrase. According to folklore, foxes cannot say “moshi,” and ghosts cannot say it twice, making the greeting a way to ward off trickster spirits.

Josh Morris ’09 and Mallory Morris ’09, Transylvania University alumni and owners of Ghost Fox Winery, spent three years in Japan, where their passion for winemaking began to take shape. When it came time to name their winery, they wanted to honor that formative experience.

“It was a very pivotal point in our lives,” Josh said. “We thought that was kind of a cute way of paying homage to our beginnings.”

Mallory’s journey into winemaking began while she was a student at Transylvania, where she pursued a chemistry degree. Although she didn’t initially plan to focus on wine, it became a key part of her academic and personal interests.

“I got a job at a winery as a wine chemist my junior year,” Mallory said. “That was the perfect fit for me — it combined my chemistry background with my growing interest in wine.”

After graduating from Transylvania, Mallory pursued a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry at Florida State University, guided by professor John Dorsey ’73, a fellow Transylvania alum.

“I realized that wine was something I always came back to, even though my career was focused on chemistry,” she said.

Josh and Mallory first met at Transylvania while running on the cross country team. They spent all four years as friends before getting married after graduation.

I always think that we’re unique, but we’re not. There are so many couples who found each other at Transylvania, and I think that’s really special.

Mallory Morris

Reflecting on their relationship, Mallory said, “I always think that we’re unique, but we’re not. There are so many couples who found each other at Transylvania, and I think that’s really special.”

While Mallory pursued her Ph.D., Josh worked at a hospital in Florida, aiming to break into the mental health field. Later, when the couple relocated to Maryland, Josh transitioned into winemaking, taking a job as a vineyard manager despite having no prior experience.

“I was hired as a vineyard manager at Frederick Cellars Winery,” Josh said. “No experience, but I had great guidance, and I figured things out as I went along.”

Josh’s role expanded as he learned the intricacies of vineyard management, eventually taking on assistant winemaking duties. It was during this time that his passion for wine began to grow.

Josh then enlisted in the military, serving for nine years. His military career took the couple to California and later to Japan. While living in Japan, Josh and Mallory started experimenting with winemaking at home.

“It wasn’t a business at first — it was just a hobby,” Josh said with a laugh. “But we kept getting better, and we realized we might be making something people would want to buy.”

“It just got out of control,” Mallory added. “And here we are today.”

After his service, the couple returned to Kentucky. The COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted countless lives and careers, motivated Josh and Mallory to turn their winemaking hobby into a full-fledged business. They launched Ghost Fox Winery in a 600-square-foot space.

“It was a retirement dream,” Josh said. “But we realized, why wait another 20 or 30 years? Let’s do it now.”

The Nicholasville winery was born from their shared passion and desire to create something meaningful. Mallory’s chemistry background and Josh’s vineyard experience proved to be the perfect combination for a science-focused approach to winemaking.

“I love experimenting, and we do a lot of testing,” Mallory said. “Some of the infusions we’ve tried have been great, and some haven’t worked out — but it’s all part of the learning process.”

These creative infusions have attracted a diverse customer base, including those who might not have considered visiting a winery.

“We wanted to make a wine that anyone could drink, not just wine connoisseurs,” Josh said. “We want to introduce people to wine without making them feel overwhelmed.”

Like any new business, the journey has had its challenges. For Josh and Mallory, perseverance has been key.

“There are setbacks, and some are more expensive than others,” Josh said. “You just have to keep going. You’ve got to have confidence in your product and make adjustments as you go.”

The couple credits their success in part to the support of family, friends and the Transylvania alumni community.

“We’ve had so many people cheering us on, telling us we were doing something good,” Mallory said. “Without that support, I don’t know if we would have had the courage to take the leap.”

Josh and Mallory have hosted alumni events at their winery and frequently connect with fellow Transylvania graduates.

“We’ve met so many Transy alumni who have become customers and friends,” Mallory said. “It’s been amazing to see how the Transy community has embraced what we’re doing.”

“When we moved back to Kentucky, the Transy community welcomed us with open arms,” Josh added. “Alumni reached out to visit the winery or offer support. It’s a tight-knit community, and that connection has been invaluable for us.”

For Mallory, her liberal arts education at Transylvania played a significant role in preparing her to juggle multiple responsibilities as a small business owner.

“Transy gave me the foundation to do things I never imagined I would be doing,” she said. “I don’t think either of us were innately bold people before we went to Transylvania, but here we are, taking this leap.”

Josh encourages others to take similar risks in pursuing their dreams.

“You have to take a leap,” he said. “Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time or for everything to be in place. Start small, learn as you go and trust that it will grow if you believe in it.”