Mike Cockrell Battles to Finish Champagne Alone as Partner Jerry Benson Fights for Life in Hospital

In the heart of moonshining country, Moonshiners star Mike Cockrell faced a bittersweet challenge: completing a batch of blueberry champagne while his longtime friend and business partner, Jerry Benson, fought for his life in a hospital bed. The emotional weight of Jerry’s critical condition—marked by brain bleeding and dangerously high blood pressure—cast a shadow over Mike’s work, as he grappled with the possibility that his partner might not recover. This poignant moment, set against the backdrop of their shared passion for crafting moonshine, revealed the depth of their bond and the resilience required to carry on in the face of uncertainty.

Jerry’s sudden hospitalization in December 2021 sent shockwaves through the Moonshiners community. Admitted initially to Haywood Regional Medical Center for severe high blood pressure, Jerry’s condition deteriorated rapidly. “He’s throwing up, sweating, weak in his arms and legs, can’t use his left arm hardly,” Mike shared, his voice heavy with concern. Doctors discovered bleeding on Jerry’s brain, a life-threatening complication that necessitated his transfer to a larger hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. “His blood pressure is at a stage that he should be dead at this point,” Mike said, noting that it took Jerry time to respond to questions, a sign of the neurological toll. Despite being in the care of skilled doctors, Jerry’s prognosis remained uncertain, leaving Mike to navigate both his worry and the demands of their shared craft.

With Jerry sidelined, Mike took on the daunting task of finishing their blueberry champagne alone, a process they had always tackled together. The champagne, a delicate and labor-intensive endeavor, required precision to perfect. Mike’s goal was to freeze the necks of the bottles, a technique known as disgorging, to remove sediment—leftover yeast and particles—while preserving the carbonation that gives champagne its signature fizz. “I’ve got to freeze all the necks of these champagne bottles, lock that top off, shoot that plug of ice out, then recork it,” Mike explained. The process involved submerging the bottle necks in icy saltwater, which rapidly freezes the sediment into a plug that can be expelled, leaving clear, bubbly champagne ready for corking and wiring.

Mike’s setup was meticulous. He carefully arranged the bottles upside down in bins, ensuring only the necks were submerged in the salty ice bath. “You only want your neck sticking down in the ice because that’s where all your sediment’s at,” he said, emphasizing the need to avoid shaking the bottles and losing carbonation. The saltwater, colder than standard freezing temperatures, accelerated the process, but Mike’s focus wavered as his thoughts drifted to Jerry. “I wish Jerry was here right now to help me do this,” he admitted, his voice tinged with emotion. The absence of his partner, who was not only a collaborator but a brother in spirit, made the task feel hollow.

Despite the solitude, Mike pressed on, driven by a promise to make Jerry proud. “Jerry’s so hell-bent on me finishing it,” he said. “I want it to be as perfect as I could ever possibly make it.” After freezing the necks, Mike deftly removed the caps, allowing the pressure to blow out the ice plugs containing the sediment. With quick precision, he sealed each bottle with his thumb to preserve the carbonation, then recorked and wired them shut. The result was a batch of sparkling champagne, its bubbles a testament to his skill. “There’s champagne bubbles right there, finished up, ready to rock and roll,” Mike said, holding up a bottle with pride but also a pang of sorrow.

Throughout the process, Mike stayed in touch with Jerry, calling to update him on the champagne’s progress. “I got all the bottles upside down, now I’m freezing those necks,” Mike told him, seeking reassurance. Jerry, weak but spirited, urged him to do it right. “Make me proud,” he said faintly. Mike’s determination to honor that request was palpable, even as he faced an impending personal milestone—his wedding, just days away. The pressure of the event compounded his worry for Jerry, who might not be well enough to attend. “I just figured he’d be good enough to be at the wedding,” Mike said, his voice breaking. “I guess that’s a bunch of dudes for you—we think we’re better than we are, and then life hits.”

The uncertainty of Jerry’s condition weighed heavily. “I’m worried to death about Jerry,” Mike confessed. “What if he has a major stroke inside the hospital and just dies?” The fear of losing his partner, coupled with the guilt of not being by his side, haunted Mike as he completed the champagne. “You can always rewind and tell yourself, ‘I should have done this,’” he said, reflecting on the fragility of life. Yet, he found solace in finishing the batch, knowing it was what Jerry wanted. “I got this done, brother,” he told Jerry over the phone. “Got them all corked, froze every one of them, blew the plugs out, and re-racked. We got good champagne.”

Jerry’s response, though faint, carried gratitude. “I’m proud of you, man,” he said, acknowledging Mike’s effort despite his own precarious state. For Mike, the moment was bittersweet. “I don’t even know if he’s going to be able to work with me again,” he said, fighting back tears. “Nobody will ever replace Jerry, ever.” Their partnership, built on years of crafting moonshine and navigating the risks of their trade, was more than professional—it was a brotherhood forged in the heat of stills and the shadow of the law.

As Mike prepared for his wedding, the champagne stood as a symbol of their shared legacy, a reminder of Jerry’s influence even from a hospital bed. The successful batch, tempered to perfection, was a small victory in a time of uncertainty. “I just hope he gets better,” Mike said, vowing to do everything he could to support his friend. Whether Jerry could return to their craft or attend the wedding remained unknown, but Mike’s resolve to carry forward, fueled by loyalty and love, underscored the resilience of their bond. In the world of moonshining, where tradition and tenacity reign, Mike’s solitary effort was a testament to both his skill and the unbreakable connection he shared with Jerry.