Barrels & Roots
Welcome to Barrels & Roots, a journey through the world of wine and food, where every vineyard, kitchen, and cellar holds a story worth telling. Hosted by Sean Trace, this show explores the passion, tradition, and creativity that turn simple ingredients into art and shared moments into legacy.
From the heart of Napa Valley to the tables and tasting rooms of the world, Sean sits down with winemakers, chefs, and artisans who live by their craft. Each conversation dives into the culture, the community, and the human stories that give flavor to what we create and share.
Whether you are a sommelier, a chef, a storyteller, or someone who simply loves the ritual of a good meal and a better conversation, Barrels & Roots invites you to slow down, listen closely, and taste the stories that connect us all.
Barrels & Roots
Taste Like You | Stacy Briscoe | Barrels and Roots
In this Barrels and Roots episode, I sit down with Sonoma based wine journalist, editor, speaker, and WSET educator Stacy Briscoe to talk about making wine accessible without killing the magic.
We get into how she went from fitness and food writing to falling down the wine pairing rabbit hole, and how asking “beginner” questions, like what new oak actually means, turned into a full on career in wine media and education. We unpack why tasting notes can be weirdly intimidating, why you should never force flavors you do not actually taste, and how your own references, like cherry coke instead of tobacco, are valid because wine is personal. Stacy shares what she teaches at Napa Valley Wine Academy across WSET levels, how to spot quality without acting like a snob, and why the perfect pairing is the wine you like with the food you like with the people you like, in the moment you are in. We also go into wine storytelling from the human side, from winemakers and vineyard crews all the way to the unsung heroes like tasting room glass washers and the literal floor of the cellar, and I share a real moment where a Riesling became the exact reset I needed in a heavy, high status room.
If you want wine education that feels fun, honest, and actually usable, this conversation is your permission slip to sip, experiment, and stop overthinking it.