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 Cringe | Kelsey Gorter | Barrels and Roots
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In this Barrels and Roots episode, I sit down with winemaker Kelsey Gorter to talk about how wine really gets made, from vineyards and harvest cycles to the behind-the-scenes reality of bulk wine sales and building wines for places like Trader Joe’s and Costco.
We get into how she went from teaching high school chemistry to working harvests in California and the Southern Hemisphere, and why winemaking is a long-game craft that rewards patience, presence, and having a clear vision years ahead. Kelsey breaks down why wine feels intimidating for a lot of people, especially younger drinkers, and what the industry needs to do to make wine more accessible, less stuffy, and more authentic. We also talk about choice paralysis in the grocery aisle, why marketing often feels fake, the rise of non-alcoholic wine, and how quality can show up at a wide range of price points.
Along the way we nerded out on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wine, and the challenge of Zinfandel, plus the idea that wine is a story in a glass because of the sheer human labor and farming behind every bottle. If you want a grounded, real conversation about modern wine culture, winemaking careers, and how the wine industry can find balance again, this one’s for you.