Blending The Chaos | Julie Schreiber | Barrels and Roots

In this episode of Barrels and Roots, host Sean Trace sits down with consulting winemaker Julie Schreiber, a chef turned enologist, mushroom forager, and Northern California wine veteran with over 25 years in the cellar. Julie shares her journey from culinary school to UC Davis, breaking down how food, science, and creativity collide in modern winemaking.They explore how great wine is built like jazz, giving each element space to breathe, how blending is part science and part intuition, and why controlled chaos often leads to the most memorable bottles. Julie opens up about vineyard tasting, fermentation decisions, barrel aging, and the subtle art of crafting balance between acidity, tannin, alcohol, and aroma.The conversation also dives into wine consulting, building brands, teaching clients to define the story behind their label, and why imperfection and funk can sometimes be the secret ingredient. Along the way, they connect wine to music, storytelling, and even life lessons in embracing unpredictability.If you love Napa and Sonoma winemaking, wine blending, vineyard life, food and wine pairing, or the behind the scenes reality of crafting a bottle from grape to glass, this episode is for you.