Barrel Riot Wines, true to its name, aspires to shake up the world of wine.

This wine maker based in Poway has chosen an unconventional path by crafting wines that resonate with the aroma and flavor profiles of rum, bourbon, and tequila.

In the 2020 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition, it was recognized with a gold winner for its Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat and with a silver for its Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dan Lipsky, 50, the visionary behind Barrel Riot Wines, says, “Every wine I craft is aimed to usher in a whiff of joyfulness into an industry that has steadfastly adhered to tradition for millennia.” Dan sources his grapes from renowned locations including Temecula, Warner Springs, and Napa Valley.

“I’m not a farmer and I have no desire to be a farmer,” he said. “I’m definitely not one of those wine guys that wants to retire on a vineyard and take care of grapes. I’m more cutting-edge, wanting to create unique, fun products that will entice other drinkers than traditional wine drinkers.”

He compared his enterprise to the craft beer industry and brewers who age their beer in barrels that once contained bourbon or other spirits.

The home-brewer states his target market as bourbon, scotch, whiskey, tequila, rum and beer drinkers, who he wants to introduce to the wine product.

Lipsky ages his wines for approximately three to six months in barrels that were previously used to age bourbon, rum or tequila.

Four years ago, when the production commenced, the barrels used were the ones given by Cutwater Spirits in San Diego. When Cutwater ceased supplying barrels, the switch was made to importing barrels from the East Coast, Tennessee, and Kentucky. He procures his tequila barrels from Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

The aging of some wines takes place at his residence on Midland Road, whilst others are aged in Warner Springs, east of Temecula.

According to Lipsky, Barrel Riot Wines is among the rare companies in the industry that prioritize rum-, tequila-, and bourbon-enhanced wines. The company offers 16 different wines, including but not limited to Tequila Barrel-Aged Zinfandel, Spirit Barrel-Aged Merlot, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rum Barrel-Aged Grenache.

He accomplished a significant milestone by the end of the previous year as the wholesaler Total Wine & More agreed to carry his Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat. According to him, this varietal is being distributed across 22 locations in Southern California.

Many wines from Barrel Riot are available for purchase at Smokin’ J’s BBQ, located on Midland Road in Poway.

Co-owner of Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Josh George, mentioned that two of their restaurants, one in Poway and another in the heart of San Diego, offer Barrel Riot’s wines. The wines are sold in quantities of 200 ml and 750 ml, priced at $15 and $45 respectively. The range of wines offered in the larger bottles includes the Orange Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel, and a special red blend. Most of Barrel Riot’s variety of wines are sold in the smaller bottle size.

George expressed his fondness for the uniqueness of their aging process and how the wines perfectly complement their BBQ dishes. He also felt that it was a good opportunity to support another local Poway business.

George further added that there has been a growing demand for these wines, particularly in the Poway area.

“It’s a unique offering for a restaurant, which we really like,” he said. “It helps differentiate ourselves and it helps that it goes along nicely with the food.”

The wine is also sold at the Farmers Market at Welk Resort in Escondido on Mondays and at the Poway Farmers Market Saturdays near Old Poway Park.

Lipsky, a Poway resident since 2014, worked in the tech industry until he got burned out from sitting in front of a computer all day. He began to take some of the skills he used in software development while working in software configuration management and applied them to his winemaking craft.

When his dabbling turned serious, he began partnering with Mission Cellars urban winery and tasting room, also on Midland Road. Although the partnership fizzled, Lipsky continued to hone his spirit aging process.

“I do not fortify the wines. I do not add any rum, bourbon, or tequila into the wine,” he stated. “I merely utilize barrels that have previously aged alcoholic beverages. The flavour of the timber permeates the wine, producing that unique taste.”

The private outdoor tasting space of Barrel Riot, located at the residence of Lipsky and his wife, April Lipsky, is at 13625 Midland Road. To use the outdoor area, which comes with free fire pits and music, reservations must be made through the BarrelRiot.com website, according to Lipsky.

The tasting deck, which can accommodate around 100 people, has previously been utilized for the Poway wrestling team’s Casino Night fundraiser, as well as a meeting place for the Poway Chamber of Commerce’s nonprofit event, Lipsky shared.

Apart from providing for community events and growing his business, Lipsky is excited to share his story of upheaval.

“Even the logo on the bottles shows a little bit of a story of how the barrels were created,” he said. “The logo has a barrel with flames coming out. That’s how they prepare the spirit barrels. Before they put a spirit in the barrel they char the inside of the barrel. It looks like a barrel with flames coming out of it.”

Barrel Riot Winery, 13625 Midland Road, Poway. barrelriot.com

Gallant writes for the U-T Community Press.