Barrel Riot Wines, as the name implies, is out to shake things up in the wine sector.

This wine production company, located in Poway, sets itself apart by offering unconventional wines seasoned with the tastes of rum, bourbon, and tequila.

At the 2020 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition, two of its wines received awards: the golden Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat and the silver Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

“I’ve created all my wines to add a little more excitement in a sector that’s maintained its traditions for thousands of years,” says Dan Lipsky, the 50-year-old owner of Barrel Riot Wines, who gets his grapes from Temecula, Warner Springs, and Napa Valley.

“I’m not a farmer and I have no aspiration to become one,” he asserted. “I’m definitely not one of those wine enthusiasts who dream of retirement in a vineyard, looking after grapes. I more lean towards innovation, keen to craft unique and enjoyable products that allure drink lovers outside the circle of traditional wine consumers.”

He drew an analogy between his venture and the craft beer industry, particularly brewers who age their beer in barrels that once held bourbon or other spirits.

The home-brewer points out his target audience to be bourbon, scotch, whiskey, tequila, rum, and beer drinkers whom he hopes to familiarize with his wine product.

Lipsky allows his wines to mature approximately three to six months in barrels that were earlier used to mature bourbon, rum, or tequila.

Four years ago, when the production started, barrels were provided by Cutwater Spirits in San Diego. However, when Cutwater ceased to supply, he switched to importing barrels from the East Coast, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His tequila barrels are directly sourced from Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

Some part of the aging process occurs in his residence on Midland Road, while other wines mature in Warner Springs, situated east of Temecula, he remarked.

According to Lipsky, Barrel Riot Wines is one of the scant companies in the sector concentrating on rum-, tequila- and bourbon-enhanced wines. The firm boasts a selection of 16 wines, such as Tequila Barrel-Aged Zinfandel, Spirit Barrel-Aged Merlot, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rum Barrel-Aged Grenache.

He accomplished a significant achievement the previous year when Total Wine & More, the wholesaler, consented to vend his Tequila Barrel-Aged Orange Muscat. This varietal is currently distributed in 22 locations across Southern California, he noted.

Several Barrel Riot wines are also sold at Smokin’ J’s BBQ, which has a location in Poway on Midland Road.

Smokin’ J’s BBQ co-owner Josh George said two of his restaurants, in Poway and downtown San Diego, sell Barrel Riot’s wines in 200 milliliter bottles for $15 and 750 milliliter bottles for $45. The larger bottles include the Orange Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel and a red blend, and the smaller bottles are available in most of Barrel Riot’s varieties.

George expressed his appreciation for the unique aging process and how the wines pair perfectly with their signature barbecue meals. He also mentioned his desire to support fellow businesses in Poway.

According to George, the demand for the wines has been increasingly on a surge, notably in the Poway area.

“We appreciate the uniqueness of our restaurant’s offerings,” he stated. “Not only does it help us stand out from the crowd, but it also complements our food perfectly.”

The wine is also available for purchase at the Welk Resort’s farmers market in Escondido on Mondays, and at the farmers market in Old Poway Park on Saturdays.

Lipsky, a resident of Poway since 2014, used to work in the tech sector, but left it due to the lack of physical activity. He took some of the skills he had acquired in software development and software configuration management and applied them to his newfound interest in winemaking.

When he started taking winemaking seriously, he collaborated with Mission Cellars, an urban winery and tasting room located on Midland Road. Although their partnership ended, Lipsky continued to refine his distillation process.

“I do not add any fortification to the wines. Distilled beverages such as rum, bourbon, or tequila are not included in my process,” he reported. “I merely take advantage of barrels that have previously aged alcohol. The essence of the wood infuses the wine, generating the unique flavor.”

The exclusive outdoor tasting room of Barrel Riot, situated at the residence of Lipsky and his spouse, April Lipsky, is located at Midland Road’s 13625. Reservations are mandatory to utilize this space, complete with free fire pits and music, through the BarrelRiot.com website, states Lipsky.

The tasting patio, accommodating roughly 100 guests, has served as a Casino Night fundraiser location for the Poway wrestling team, and as an introductory venue for the Poway Chamber of Commerce’s nonprofit gathering, according to Lipsky.

While simultaneously supporting local community events and advocating for his venture, Lipsky is passionate about recounting his tale of innovation.

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