Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/537687
july 2015 / the tasting panel / 59 Ping Ponging Around Even winemakers need to unwind with a little good old-fashioned fun: After their Denver tasting, our quartet of intrepid winemakers headed to Ace Eat Serve, a bar/ restaurant/ping pong hall that offers enough fun to put a smile on even the grouchiest faces. As the winemaking team went head-to-head with the local Southern Wine & Spirits sales forces, there was plenty of wine–and fun–on hand. Chris Leamy, Winemaker of Terra d'Oro; Josh Phelps, co-founder of Taken Wine Company; Joe Shirley, Winemaker for Napa Cellars and Folie à Deux; Mario Monticelli, Winemaker at Trinchero Napa Valley. It Takes Two to Tango Very few elementary school friendships last. Even fewer wind up birthing a successful wine brand, but when two friends grow up among the vines and wine- makers in Napa—as is the case with Carlo Trinchero and Josh Phelps—it doesn't seem quite as farfetched as it first sounds. After entering adulthood, neither of the pair was completely sold on what they wanted to do; Josh did have a strong desire to start a business, so he talked Carlo into making 100 cases of wine when they were back home in Napa one summer. Guided by mentors like Mario Monticelli of Trinchero Napa Valley, the duo launched Taken Wine Company in 2010. No, it's not a reference to Liam Neeson's block- buster flick—all the other names they wanted were taken. Although following their families' footsteps, neither wanted to make the traditional wines of their parents; instead, they would produce approachable, high-quality wine, geared towards Millennials. "Millennials are experience-based, so products aimed at them don't need to be geeky to be appreci- ated," Josh explains, "but they do need to have integrity and have a story, which Carlo and I definitely have—that's important." Telling this story, along with highlighting the terroir of the wine, happens through social media platforms, which Josh sees as an impor- tant way to connect with all of those consumers, sales people and buyers that you can't meet one-on-one. Due to the popularity of their Taken Red Wine, the pair added Complicated Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Red Wine to their portfolio, with their sights set on expanding their line to include Available wines—global offerings launching this summer. As some might put it, they're taking the world by storm! PHOTO: JENNIFER OLSON PHOTO: JENNIFER OLSON