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
Wine Without the Snob | Lailand Flaherty | Barrels and Roots
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In this Barrels and Roots episode, I sit down with Napa Valley native Lailand Oberschulte-Flaherty, VP of Marketing at OrderPort, to talk about wine without the intimidation.
We get into why wine feels “snooty” to so many people, why that idea is outdated, and how to build your palate without pretending you like a cult Cabernet just because the label is famous. Lailand breaks down how taste is personal, like music, like artists, like anything else, and why the best wine might be the bottle with duct tape on it from someone’s garage passion project. We talk Napa versus the old-world mindset, terroir and storytelling, underrated varietals like Vermentino, Syrah, Gamay, Grenache, Tempranillo, and why exploring smaller producers can be both more affordable and more meaningful. The bigger theme is simple, wine is an analog experience in a digital world, a way to put your phone down, slow your nervous system, and create memories that last a decade, sometimes longer, because taste and smell lock moments into your brain.
If you want wine to feel approachable, human, and actually fun, this conversation is a reset.