In this episode of Barrels and Roots, I sat down with Serena Harkey, Food and Beverage Director for the Cowboys Club in Frisco, Texas, to talk about wine in a way that feels real, approachable, and actually fun.
We got into how she went from working in barbecue and boutique wine shops to building a serious career in hospitality, and why wine is so much more than a luxury product. We talked about wine culture in Texas versus California, the rise of chilled red wine, why Riesling deserves more respect, and how people can stop feeling intimidated and start figuring out what they actually like. One of my favorite parts of this conversation was hearing Serena explain that every bottle has a story, not just because of branding, but because of the people, farming, weather, decisions, and craft behind it. We also got into champagne, rosé, Pinot Noir, Australia as an underrated wine region, food pairings, and why wine should be about curiosity, connection, and enjoyment, not showing off.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand wine without all the pressure and pretension, this is a great episode to jump into.
What was the first wine, or even food and drink pairing, that made you stop and think ”okay, now I get it.”?
