Michael David Winery

Michael David Winery

4580 West Highway 12, Lodi, CA 95242
www.michaeldavidwinery.com

Region: Lodi

Owner: Michael and David Phillips

Winemaker: Sean Goehring & Jeff Farthing

About: Michael David Winery is a family-owned winery rooted in Lodi, California, where the Phillips family has been farming since the 1860s. Founded by brothers Michael and David Phillips, the winery grew from a small farmstand tasting room opened in 1984 into one of Lodi’s most recognized wineries, while remaining family-run and deeply connected to the region. For six generations, the Phillips family has believed in showcasing what makes Lodi different. That has often meant looking beyond the expected and giving overlooked or lesser-known grape varieties a chance to shine. From Cinsaut and Petite Sirah to Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and other unconventional varieties, Michael David Winery has built a reputation for approaching wine with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to do things differently. That spirit makes the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes a natural fit for us. We love introducing people to wines and varieties they may not normally reach for, celebrating the diversity of Lodi, and proving that sometimes the most memorable wines come from grapes waiting to be discovered.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Our Cinsaut definitely comes to mind; it’s unusual to see as a single varietal, and we also have access to the Bechthold Vineyard, which is still producing Cinsaut fruit from its original vines planted in 1886.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Mike and Dave have always been big fans of working with unusual and less popular grape varietals. So much so that it inspired our Inkblot line of wines, which is known for giving a platform to grapes that are usually underappreciated and used as “blending varietals”.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The opportunity to try something new is one of the great joys of being a wine lover. There’s something so exciting about discovering unique and unexpected flavor profiles, being surprised by a new varietal, and uncovering the fascinating histories, traditions, and origin stories behind the grapes we enjoy.