Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Happy Hour: Holiday Wines with Kix Brooks & Adam LaZarre

Date: November 28, 2025

Guests: Kix Brooks (Arrington Vineyards, musician) & Adam LaZarre (LaZarre Wines, winemaker)

Overview

In this cheerful holiday episode, Kennedy is joined by country music star and vineyard owner Kix Brooks, and award-winning winemaker Adam LaZarre. Together, they explore the joys—and intricacies—of American wine making, regional viticulture differences, unique wine and music pairings, and the philanthropic connection between wine clubs and veteran support. The vibe is playful, curiosity-driven, and full of warmth, blending stories of celebrity, oenological expertise, and a touch of musical history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet the Wine Makers

• Kennedy welcomes Kix Brooks and Adam LaZarre, highlighting their unique roles: Kix as owner of Arrington Vineyards in Tennessee, Adam as the “chief” of LaZarre Wines in California (00:36–01:55).
• Kix clarifies Arrington Vineyards’ Tennessee location (“Texas is just in Tennessee,” he jokes) (01:55–02:04).

2. Wine in Unlikely Places: Tennessee’s Challenge

• Kix explains the tough climate for classic wine grapes in Tennessee (02:09–02:42).
  • “What really hurts us… is warm nights. So a lot of those varieties like to rest at night, and they really can’t do it when they’re ginning all the time. A lot of those flavors get lost, I think.” — Kix Brooks (02:42–02:59)
• Arrington focuses on hybrids and American varietals like Vidal Blanc, Viognier, and Chambourcin, which can handle local conditions (03:01–03:12).

3. Barrel Alchemy: Aging Wine in Bourbon Barrels

• Adam and Kix share a sample: Arrington’s Chambourcin, which finishes aging in used whiskey barrels (03:19–03:38).
• Discussion of bourbon barrels and their influence on flavor (03:38–04:00).
  • “[Bourbon barrels] just add something to it… My wife said she can taste the bourbon in there. I don’t.” — Kix Brooks (06:58–07:09)
• Kennedy, a self-professed bourbon fan, tastes and evaluates ("…I do taste a little bit," she notes) (07:39–08:04).

4. Wine Tasting Confidence & Personal Palate

• Kix urges people to trust their own tastes rather than wine snobbery (05:05–05:23).
  • “If you’re drinking wine, you need to let your palate decide if you like something or not. Exactly. Sort of like when you listen to music…” — Kix Brooks (05:05–05:19)

5. The Winemaker’s Craft & Sourcing Fruit

• Many wineries (including Arrington) source fruit from other regions, especially for grapes that won’t thrive in local climates (05:23–06:22).
• Kix’s hands-on involvement: “On my knees putting grape roots in the ground. Literally, I have been involved… but also I know where my expertise isn’t.” — Kix Brooks (11:39–12:06)

6. Adam LaZarre’s Journey & Veteran Connection

• Adam’s background: 34 years in winemaking, Navy veteran (08:04–08:12).
• Both guests discuss their pride in partnering with US Vets through the Fox News American Wine Club—proceeds support vet homelessness (09:15–11:03).
  • “Anything that I can give back… to help the people who’ve pretty much sacrificed… when you go in the military, you don’t come out unchanged.” — Adam LaZarre (10:12–10:34)

7. Kix’s Path to Wine & Nashville Stories

• Early wine curiosity sparked by a wine club gift from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (12:09–12:32).
• Colorful anecdote about accidentally using a rare Bordeaux in cooking, then learning its true value (12:32–13:22).
• Nashville’s community spirit among songwriters and musicians, Kix’s route from songwriting in the '80s to Brooks & Dunn stardom (13:51–15:00).

8. Parallels in Music and Winemaking

• Discussion on whether making wine is as creative and emotional as songwriting (17:56–18:16).
• Adam describes playing music in the winery—usually rock or heavy metal—and how sound can influence wine’s final taste and stability (18:05–19:38).
  • “I really do think… it impacts stability, what types of flavors that you pick up… Sauvignon Blanc tastes better when you’re listening to Metallica rather than Vivaldi, for example.” — Adam LaZarre (19:17–19:38)

9. Wine and Music Pairings

• Kennedy gets excited at the idea: “Music pairings with wine, that is the coolest idea. I mean, truly.” (19:49–20:20)
• The group muses over creating a suggested playlist for wine club members to experiment with music while tasting (20:20–21:03).

10. Pinot Noir: Challenges, Flavors, and Pairing

• Adam introduces his Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir (21:05–21:51).
• Explains geography (east-west valley orientation, influence of ocean air), and Pinot’s sensitivity and versatility (21:05–22:58).
  • “Pinot Noir is not an easy wine to make. It's a difficult grape to grow. It's very thin skinned… so the thinner the skin, the lighter the wine…” — Adam LaZarre (21:54–22:31).
• Kennedy and Adam taste the Pinot, noticing strawberry notes—both real and self-suggested from valley associations (23:10–23:32).
• Discussion of other flavors (Mr. Pibb, Dr. Pepper, prune), appropriate serving temperatures, and letting red wines “breathe” (23:33–25:49).
  • “Pinot has got to be served around 50 degrees.” — Adam LaZarre (25:38–25:41)

11. Final Toasts and Takeaways

• Adam: To experiment at home with music and wine pairings (26:57–27:15).
• Kennedy encourages listeners to join the Fox News American Wine Club and try their own multisensory pairings (27:16–27:39).
• Group toast: “To freedom.” (27:41–27:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you’re drinking wine, you need to let your palate decide if you like something or not. Exactly. Sort of like when you listen to music…” — Kix Brooks (05:05–05:19)
• “Anything that I can give back… to help the people who’ve pretty much sacrificed… when you go in the military, you don’t come out unchanged.” — Adam LaZarre (10:12–10:34)
• “Music pairings with wine, that is the coolest idea. I mean, truly.” — Kennedy (19:49–20:20)
• “Pinot Noir is not an easy wine to make. It's a difficult grape to grow. It's very thin skinned…” — Adam LaZarre (21:54–22:31)
• “To freedom.” — Kennedy, Adam LaZarre, Kix Brooks (27:41–27:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36–02:09: Greetings, introductions, the realities of winemaking in Tennessee
• 03:19–04:00: Tasting the whiskey-barrel-aged Chambourcin
• 05:05–05:23: Wine snobbery vs. trusting your own palate
• 08:04–08:12: Adam LaZarre’s service background
• 09:15–11:03: Support for US veterans through wine club proceeds
• 13:51–15:00: Kix on Nashville songwriting community and Brooks & Dunn origins
• 18:05–19:38: Adam on musical influences in the winery
• 19:49–20:20: Kennedy proposes music and wine pairings
• 21:05–22:58: Adam’s Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, why that location matters
• 23:33–25:49: Wine flavors, serving temperatures, letting wine breathe
• 27:16–27:45: Final toast and celebration of music, wine, and American freedom

Conclusion

This episode delivers a cozy, enthusiastic dive into wine discovery and Americana, full of personal anecdotes, winemaker wisdom, and a dash of irreverent humor. Listeners come away with practical tasting tips, encouragement to develop a confident palate, and a sense of how wine, music, and community spirit all intersect—especially in supporting veterans and giving back.

Try at home: Experiment with pairing holiday wines and your favorite music for a truly unique celebration!