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
Everyday Luxury Wine | Brooke Delmas Robertson | Barrels and Roots
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In this episode of Barrels and Roots, I sit down with Brooke Delmas Robertson of Delmas and SJR Vineyard in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla Valley, to talk about why staying small can be the secret to making truly unforgettable wine. Brooke breaks down what makes the Rocks District so distinct, an AVA defined by its soil, with volcanic basalt cobbles and gravels that create a signature salty, savory, umami-like character in the wines.
We dig into Rhône varieties like Syrah, Viognier, Grenache, and field-style blends, and she explains how Rocks District Syrah can be so site-specific that once you taste it, you can spot it across a table for the rest of your life. We also get real about the wine world’s gatekeeping, the “no soup for you” scarcity vibe, and why critics and scores are just one person’s opinion on one day, not a rulebook for how I’m supposed to enjoy a bottle. Along the way we riff on everyday luxury, why a hundred dollar bottle is allowed to be a Tuesday bottle, and how the best wine experiences are the ones that feel like a lifestyle, not a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Brooke shares the story behind her BDR blend, how vintage variation and climate shape the final wine, and why making wine by listening to the year matters more than forcing a recipe.
We close with where to find Delmas wines online, their limited production Viognier and Grenache, a magnum-only Syrah, and their first tasting room opening in downtown Walla Walla in February 2026.