Why it matters
The producer
The Phillips family has farmed in Lodi since the 1860s and cultivated wine grapes since the early twentieth century. Michael and David Phillips are fifth generation grape growers, and Michael’s daughter Melissa represents the sixth generation working in the business.
Adam Mettler and Derek DeVries are the winemakers, specializing in Old Vine Zinfandel and Rhone varieties including Ancient Vine Cinsault and Syrah. Each year, the winery aims to make 100% of its wines Lodi Rules certified. Its vineyard practices include deficit irrigation, cover crops and natural forms of pest management. Owl boxes provide rodent control because owls eat rodents.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Michael-David Winery works in Lodi, California. Its visitor venue is at 4580 West Highway 12 in Lodi, with an on-site café, produce offering and bakery.
The Chardonnay carries Lodi as its origin. The address joins wine production with the farmstand setting where Michael Phillips opened a small tasting room in 1984.
Wines to know
The range in view
Michael David Chardonnay is the named white wine in the range. The broader Chardonnay concept combines three separately produced Chardonnays before bottling. One component is crisp and fruit driven, fermented and aged in stainless steel. Another is softer and rounder, fermented in French oak barrels.
The range also includes Old Vine Zinfandel and Rhone varieties including Ancient Vine Cinsault and Syrah. Its bottles are organized around grape variety, with the Chardonnay defined by the combination of separately produced components.