From the LA Lakers Locker Room to Napa Valley vines: Kelly E. Carter on Diversity, Story, and Wine Exploration

Wine Talks with Paul K.

I can tell you it was like sitting with a long, lost neighbor when sitting with Kelly E. Carter. And in fact, we were neighbors of sorts back in the day.

It wasn't until I was searching for images to create the icons for this podcast did I realize I was in the presence of true maverick royalty. Besides being a New York Times best selling author, she has reported from the greatest sporting events of the world: the NBA FInals, Super Bowls, Grand Slams, Stanley Cup Finals and much more. And more intriguing, she was the woman reporter in the locker room!

I was so intrigued and we could have spoken for hours because she is the Founder of the wine tourism group, Napa Valley Noir.

sitting down with Kelly E. Carter in the studio for this episode of Wine Talks was like taking a stroll down memory lane while simultaneously hitching a ride on a train heading straight for the future of wine tourism. There’s something about Kelly—her energy, her wit, and just her knack for storytelling—that gets you thinking about the wine industry in ways that feel both nostalgic and freshly invigorating.

We kicked things off with some good old home turf banter—Kelly’s Windsor Hills childhood (Ray Charles and Ike & Tina Turner for neighbors, no less) and my own roots in Inglewood. Instantly, there was this shared sense that, before wine stole our hearts, Southern California had given us some pretty unique perspectives on culture and community. And as Kelly pointed out, “you’ll never know everything” about winemaking, which is honestly the very reason some of us keep swirling, sipping, and studying. I know I do.

What genuinely impressed me was Kelly’s trajectory. She was the first female to cover the Lakers—how many people do you meet who set out in fourth grade to be a sports journalist and actually make it happen? She wasn’t just content to report on sports. She made her mark, switched lanes into entertainment, and then into luxury travel writing, which eventually led her to Florence and Positano. It’s the kind of layered journey you don’t hear about every day. You talk to some folks, they’ve been in wine their whole lives. With Kelly, it’s travel, sports, culture—all converging in the glass.

We got into the nitty-gritty of wine and travel writing and how AI could never replace the boots-on-the-ground experience. I had to laugh—when Kelly plugged Napa into chatbots, she got recommendations for wineries that are closed for renovations. "You have to know the latest," she said, reminding me that the best wine stories are always written with real shoe leather, not just code.

Her insights into Napa Valley tourism were equally compelling. As the founder of Napa Valley Noir, Kelly’s passion lies in creating experiences rich in narrative, not just pouring cabs for folks who made it big in tech and want a taste of the valley lifestyle. She’s all about partnerships with wineries that have soul, stories, and a genuine connection to their craft—whether it’s a historic vineyard run by women or an impromptu meeting with Thomas Keller that leaves guests starstruck. Frankly, I couldn’t agree more. The stories make the bottle—and the memories. That’s what keeps this business alive, even as the market shifts.

Kelly also talked about the recent surge in African American visitors to Napa, thanks in part to celebrity influence (LeBron, Kobe, you name it), and her drive to ensure these visitors experience the full magic Napa has to offer, not just what's on the surface. She’s honest—her intake forms ask straight-up about comfort level on bottle prices. She knows how to match guests with the right wineries, sometimes calling in a favor for an extra pour or a charcuterie board, because that’s how relationships form and deepen in this business.

There’s a lesson in Kelly’s methods: whether it’s a group of corporate execs, first-timers, or veteran collectors, she makes sure the experience is tailored and memorable. Maybe it’s the aftermath of her own battles—her candor about beating a rare cancer got me thinking about perspective, gratitude, and the importance of living fully, whether it’s raising a glass or hiking through a vineyard.

Talking with Kelly reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. It’s the human stories behind the wines, the journeys of the people who bring them to life—and the shared desire to know just a little bit more, one sip, one story at a time. Cheers to Kelly and to all of us still curious.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/AXGYAhnctSE

1. Napa Valley Noir

   • https://napavalleynoir.com

2. Alpha Omega Winery

   • https://www.aowinery.com

3. Brown Estate Vineyards

   • https://www.brownestate.com

4. French Laundry

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl

5. Bouchon Bistro

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchon

6. Ad Hoc

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/adhoc

7. Visit Napa Valley (tourism board)

   • https://www.visitnapavalley.com

8. AAAV - Association of African American Vintners

   • https://www.aaavintners.org

9. 1010 Wine Bar

   • https://www.1010wineandsmallplates.com

10. Vera Wang

    • https://www.verawang.com

11. Tod’s

    • https://www.tods.com

12. Mohawk Industries

    • https://www.mohawkind.com

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