Lodi Red from Michael David Winery

We here at Ed’s have witnessed the transformation of two brothers, Michael and David Phillips, who owned a family farm, in the middle of the Lodi grape growing region in California. Andrew Harshner and his wife Lucille, the Great, Great Grandparents of Michael and David, homesteaded the property – 160 acres near the town of Lodi, following the Civil War in the 1860’s. They grew many types of produce, but grapes proved to be prolific. Now, over a century and a half later, this family is still farming on the property, and the Lodi region has become one of California’s largest grape producers- nearly 25% of the state’s grapes are grown there for wine. The Phillips land is now 7th generation farmed with approximately 800 acres. Michael David Winery was established in 1984 by Michael and David’s parents. The family recently expanded their operations with the purchase of Silver Oak Cellars in Geyserville. Soon there will be releases of Sonoma and North Coast Appellations as well.

The most popular wine from Michael and David Phillips Winery was “Petite Petit”. Their inaugural success of a rich, red blend made up of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. This was followed by successes of their Zinfandels and blends from Freakshow, and the Earthquake and Inkblot series of wines. Jeff Farthing, Derek DeVries, and Adam Mettler make up the winemaking team at Michael David. The wines are farmed sustainably and are third party certified. Ed’s Fine Wines has taken a few groups out to California for festivals and winery tours over the years. It was on one of these trips that my Uncle Perry began lobbying to get distribution of a “winery only” red blend called Lodi Red. The wine was originally released in 1999 to celebrate Michael and David’s father’s 75th birthday. The Phillips family have been great partners to us here at Ed’s, and that partnership finally brought a former winery exclusive out to the market. The new release is a blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Carignane. Lodi Red pays homage to the region and the varietals that thrive there. A Bistro wine with medium body, ripe berry fruit, and aromas of pecans, interlaced with flavors of huckleberry, cola and spice. I give it three bones!