Barrel Riot Wines, as the name indicates, is on a mission to disrupt the wine industry.
This wine producer, based in Poway, achieves this by offering unconventional wines infused with the flavors and spices of rum, bourbon, and tequila.
Among its award-winning wines at the 2020 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition were the Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat, which won gold, and the Silver Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dan Lipsky, the 50-year-old owner of Barrel Riot Wines, stated, “All my wines are conceived to bring a bit more excitement to an industry that has been extremely traditional for millennia”. He sources his grapes from Temecula, Warner Springs, and Napa Valley.
“I hold no ambition of becoming a farmer,” he shared. “I surely don’t belong to the set of wine enthusiasts dreaming about retiring in a vineyard to nurture grapes. My interests lie in fostering innovative, engaging products designed to attract a consumer base broader than conventional wine enthusiasts.”
He drew parallels between his venture and the craft beer businesses and brewmasters who mature their beer in barrels previously used for storing bourbon or diverse spirits.
The home-brewer declared his intended audience to be bourbon, scotch, whiskey, tequila, rum, and beer aficionados, whom he anticipates introducing to the realm of wine.
Lipsky allows his wines to mature approximately for a span of three to six months in barrels that previously held bourbon, rum, or tequila.
Four years ago, the barrels used for production were supplied by Cutwater Spirits in San Diego. However, when Cutwater ceased their supply, the production shifted to importing barrels from the East Coast, specifically Tennessee and Kentucky. The barrels used for tequila are sourced from Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico.
The wine aging process takes place in different locations. A portion of it happens at his residence on Midland Road, while other wines age in Warner Springs, located east of Temecula.
Barrel Riot Wines, according to Lipsky, is one of a small number of companies in the wine industry that specializes in rum-, tequila-, and bourbon-enhanced wines. The company boasts a variety of 16 wines. Some of these include Tequila Barrel-Aged Zinfandel, Spirit Barrel-Aged Merlot, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rum Barrel-Aged Grenache.
A significant achievement was reached at the conclusion of last year when the wholesaler Total Wine & More agreed to carry their Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat. Presently, this particular varietal can be found across 22 outlets in Southern California.
Barrel Riot wines are available for purchase at Smokin’ J’s BBQ, located on Midland Road in Poway.
Co-owner of Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Josh George, shared that two of his establishments, Poway and downtown San Diego, offer Barrel Riot’s wines. The wines are priced at $15 for a 200 ml bottle and $45 for a 750 ml bottle. The larger bottled selection includes the Orange Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel, and a red blend. Additionally, most of Barrel Riot’s varieties are available in the smaller bottle.
George expressed his admiration for the unique aging process of the wines. He also mentioned that these wines complement the barbecue dishes at his restaurants quite well. Showing support for another local business in Poway was another motivation for him.
The popularity of these wines is on the rise, primarily in Poway, as per George.
“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 don’t fortify the wines. I don’t pour any rum, bourbon or tequila in the wine,” he said. “I simply use barrels that have aged alcohol before. The flavor of the wood seeps into the wine and creates that flavor.”
Barrel Riot’s private outdoor testing room at the home of Lipsky and his wife, April Lipsky, is at 13625 Midland Road. Reservations are required through the BarrelRiot.com website to use the outdoor space with complimentary firepits and music, Lipsky said.
The tasting patio, which can fit about 100 people, has been used as a Casino Night fundraiser for the Poway wrestling team and as a meet-and-greet venue for the Poway Chamber of Commerce’s nonprofit meeting, Lipsky said.
Along with supporting community events and promoting his business, Lipsky is eager to share his story of disruption.
“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.
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