Podcaster Profiles: Forrest Kelly Offers His Listeners A Generous Pour!

 Podcaster Profiles has a simple goal: highlight, spotlight, focus on: the indie podcasters who are the heart and soul of podcasting.

Indie podcasters wear more hats than any network-supported podcaster. They are creator, writer, producer, sound engineer, I.T. troubleshooter, researcher, host, distribution pro, marketing guru, public relations professional, and, most important of all, financial backer for the podcast.

This issue of Podcaster Profiles focuses on podcast creator/host Forrest Kelly of The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast.

 Ear Worthy has reviewed this podcast and loves the five-minute runtime. Creator/host Forrest Kelly is economical with his interviews and packs a wallop in a few minutes. The show has completed over 180 episodes and is still going strong, so Kelly must be doing something right.

Moreover, Forrest Kelly, who has been a radio and television broadcaster since the 80s, is an excellent host with just the right blend of enthusiasm and curiosity. The show is well-constructed, with catchy intro music that could be a Top 40 hit, and then an easy listening tune at the end with lyrics that encourage listeners to subscribe.

The podcast's marketing pitch is: "Join Forrest Kelly each week on The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast, where we take you on a whirlwind journey through the world’s most enchanting wineries.

"In just five minutes, you'll discover irresistible wine conversation starters, hidden travel gems, and expert insights—all while fueling your passion for wine and wanderlust. Named one of WELP Magazine’s Best Travel Podcasts of 2021, this podcast is your passport to a world of flavor, adventure, and unforgettable experiences."

Forrest Kelly is an indie podcast success story. In fact, as we discussed this story, Forrest told me that he has become the latest podcast to join the BLEAV Network. This network focuses on sports and lifestyle shows, and The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast will fit right in.

Forrest admits: "I’m all in on opportunities that offer more exposure. After working in major radio markets like Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, I’ve definitely got a competitive streak. I’d love to go toe-to-toe with the major podcast players—or at least try. I’ll attempt just about anything that helps get these stories out to more people."

The structure of the show revolves around interviewing wineries and wine business people and sommeliers around the world. Forrest Kelly has interviewed people from wineries as far away as Rome and as close as Virginia.


First, we asked why Forrest got into podcasting?

"After decades in radio and TV, podcasting was the natural next step. I missed that one-on-one connection and saw it as a way to return to storytelling on my own terms—no format clocks, no playlists, just stories, passion, and personality. Honestly, I got into podcasting because—for the fourth time—I lost my radio job to AI. Back then, they called it “automation,” but it was the same story: a machine taking over the shift. Podcasting gave me the freedom to do what I love without worrying about getting replaced by a robot again."

Then we asked Forrest why he wanted to start a podcast.

Forrest answers: "I wanted to create something quick, entertaining, and informative. There are a lot of long-form wine podcasts, but not everyone has the time—or let’s be honest, the attention span—to commit to a full hour. Five minutes felt just right. It’s enough to spark curiosity, learn something new, and move on with your day."

Then Forrest adds: "But more personally, I started the podcast because my beautiful wife loves wine—and I fell in love with everything that happens before it gets to the bottle. The stories, the craft, the people, the places—that’s what drew me in. So this podcast became a way to bridge both our passions and share that discovery with others."

Like all independent podcasters, Forrest had to become the podcast's I.T. person, but for him, it's not a chore.

"I’ve always loved electronic gadgets, so my home studio is packed with tech," admits Forrest. " I’ve got multiple RØDEcasters, microphones, DAWs—you name it. That part’s easy for me; I grew up around it. Being a broadcaster for so many years, the gear and production side just feels like second nature. I actually enjoy the behind-the-scenes stuff just as much as being on the mic. The challenge isn’t the tech—it’s finding the time to play with it all!"

Forrest then shared his broadcasting origins. "I grew up in northern Idaho, in a town called Lewiston. Our local high school had its own radio station, and as a shy kid, I thought it would be the perfect way to avoid attention—just sit alone in a studio, play music, and fill my speech and history class credits at the same time. Little did I know I’d end up giving speeches in front of the class… and eventually speaking on stage in front of 50,000 people. That radio station was my first real taste of broadcasting, and it completely changed my trajectory as I started working full time while in High School."

When we asked Forrest why he become a broadcaster, he answered: "It actually started as a way to escape the spotlight—. I was a shy kid, and radio felt like a safe space to just be myself behind the mic. I’ve always loved music, but despite taking lessons, I couldn’t carry a tune or play a note to save my life. So, broadcasting became my way of being part of that world—sharing the talents of others and helping tell their stories. Plus, let’s be honest: getting backstage at concerts for free, scoring free food and merch—that's a pretty great perk when you're a teenager. But over time, it became about much more than that. I fell in love with the medium—the energy, the storytelling, the real connection you can make using just your voice."

One of the most enduring parts of The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast is Mr. Sour Grapes.

When I asked Forrest about Mr. Sour Grapes, he replied, "Great question—believe it or not, no one’s asked me that until now. Sour Grapes is an amalgamation of all the radio characters I’ve created over the years—sarcastic, quick-witted, a little grumpy, but always entertaining. Officially, he’s a 75-year-old legend living in the rolling hills of Sicily, born and raised on a vineyard that’s been in his family for generations. His earliest memories are of running barefoot through the vines, dodging stomping feet during harvest, and critiquing grapes with a toddler’s palate sharper than most sommeliers.

"But he’s also got a little Wild West in him—a cowboy at heart who isn’t afraid to grab a wine bottle by the neck and pour with no pretense. He’s here to cut through the snobbery and remind us that wine should be fun, not fancy. As Sour himself would say: 'If the wine’s good, drink it. If it’s bad… drink it faster so you can open another.'”

Forrest explained how Mr. Sour Grapes evolved.
"He started as a one-off character, just a bit of comic relief to break up the flow of the podcast. But listeners really connected with him—probably because he says the things we’re all secretly thinking but wouldn’t dare say out loud. So he stuck around… and now he’s basically part of the crew."

Forrest continued: "Of course, being Sour Grapes, he doesn’t just sit quietly in the background. He likes to show up randomly, especially when he thinks he’s not getting enough mic time. Just recently, he shaved his dog—Bubbly—and paraded him around town with #JusticeForSourGrapes written on his side. He’s always got something to say about the latest wine trends, and whether he’s praising them or roasting them, you can bet he’s going to make it entertaining."

Forrest Kelly may have some of the best intro and outro music in podcasting. When I asked him how he developed those tunes, he answered, "Thank you! Living out in Joshua Tree, California, I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing music scene. There are world-famous producers, musicians, and studios quietly hidden all over the area. I called in a few favors from some incredibly talented friends, and they worked their craft."

Forrest continues: "I told them, 'I love life, I want to project energy into this podcast—make it feel alive.' That was the vibe I was after, and they totally got it. I wanted music that was upbeat, had personality, and set the tone right from the first second. I think it’s got just the right balance of fun, style, and momentum."

What I admire about Forrest Kelly and his show is that they tackle societal issues as well as just blah-blahing about wineries. For example, in September-October 2024, Forrest Kelly did six episodes with Laura DePasquale, senior VP of Artisanal Wines at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. In that interview, Kelly focused on female leadership, women breaking barriers in the industry, and a NextGen leadership program the company started.

Recently, Forrest interviewed Jake Kloberdanz, the owner of OneHope Wine, where ten percent of every purchase goes to a charity of the buyer's choice.

Forrest has met the challenges of an independent podcast.

Forrest begins, "If you love what you’re doing you won’t work a day in your life. Sure, there are challenges— managing time, constantly learning—but that’s also what makes it enjoyable. You get to create something from scratch, strive for perfection, and grow with every episode. And as Sour Grapes might say: 'Doing it all yourself builds character… or at least gives you someone to yell at when things go wrong.'"

Finally, I asked him "Does anyone ever mistake you for DeForest Kelley, the doctor on Star Trek?"

Forrest answers: "A great question to end the interview with. Oh, they do—especially on the internet. Search engines still haven’t quite figured out we’re two different people. And if someone brings it up in person, I just and say: 'Damn it, Jim, I’m a podcaster, not a bricklayer!'"

Forrest quips: "I don’t mind the mix-up—he was a legend, and I’m happy to almost share the name."


If you're into wine, check out The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast. Forrest Kelly is a seasoned pro who can fascinate with his visits to wineries around the world. I love the five-minute increments. Kelly has multiple episodes on one winery or topic because of that runtime, which makes editing a chore for him and his team, but it is a seamless process for listeners.