Carlton McCoy’s journey from a DC kitchen to the pinnacle of the wine world is anything but ordinary. Bart and Sam sit down with the Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates to unpack the milestones and mindset that got him there. Carlton opens up about the moment wine first lit a fire in him, what it took to pass the notoriously grueling MS exam at just 28, and how that early obsession evolved into something far bigger.
At The Little Nell in Aspen, he found himself at the helm of one of the world’s most elite wine programs—and it was there that fate introduced him to Gaylon Lawrence. What followed was a dramatic leap into Napa Valley’s legacy scene, where Carlton now oversees iconic estates like Heitz, Burgess, and Stony Hill. He shares how he’s walking the tightrope between preserving history and staying culturally relevant in a rapidly changing industry.
The conversation also dives into his work with The Roots Fund, how he sees his role in breaking down barriers, and why his lens on wine always includes people, place, and purpose. And yes, there’s a juicy update on Season 2 of Nomad.
Grab a glass and listen in—this is one you don’t want to miss.
Follow Carlton:
@carltonmccoy
@lawrencewineestates
@rootsfund
And don’t forget: even though Bart’s Chefs Cycle ride just ended, there’s still time to donate and ease the pain he’s feeling… everywhere:
https://p2p.onecause.com/chefscycle25/bart-hansen
Also: Keep your eyes peeled for big news from our friends at the DTC Wine Symposium, returning to Monterey, CA on January 20-22, 2026. Got to www.DTCWineSymposium.com for more info.
Podcast (twm): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:33:09 — 64.0MB)
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