Wine Isn’t Snobby | Lynn Finkbiner | Barrels & Roots

In this episode of Barrels & Roots, I sit down with Lynn Finkbiner, a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, to break down wine in a way that actually makes sense.

We talk about how she went from years in restaurants to fully committing to wine, and what it feels like to realize just how deep the wine world goes once you start studying it seriously. We get into why wine can feel intimidating, how to build confidence through micro learning, and why you do not need fancy glassware or perfect tasting notes to enjoy a bottle. Lynn shares practical tips for pairing wine with spicy food, how to branch out if you think you are “only a Pinot Noir person,” and why Oregon Pinot Gris deserves way more love. We also talk about wine culture, how one great guide can make everything feel accessible, and how the goal is not to sound smart, it is to enjoy what you like and keep exploring.

Question for your audience: what’s one wine you used to think you hated, but ended up liking once you tried it in the right moment or with the right food?