ST. HELENA, Calif. (April 29, 2024) – Esteemed Winemaker Chris Phelps has announced his retirement, and will turn his focus to his own family’s brands: AD VIVUM, COIL Wines, and Grounded Wine Co.
Chris built his impressive career working with some of the world’s most famous wineries. After training at Château Pétrus, he directed winemaking at Dominus Estate, Caymus Vineyards, Swanson Vineyards, and Inglenook.
“In his 40 years in Napa Valley, Chris Phelps has navigated trends and has worked with legends. Through all of it he has built an amazing talent for maximizing each vintage and for crafting wines that combine Old World style with New World pleasure. His wines are like him: generous, balanced, and focused,” said Chris’ longtime friend and colleague, Jean Hoefliger, who’s one of the leading consulting winemakers in Napa Valley and around the world.
Chris will now turn his focus to his family’s brands. Chris’ personal brand is AD VIVUM. AD VIVUM is perennially celebrated by respected critics across the country, who have described it as “lovely, elegant and gorgeous.” It is crafted from two distinct blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Sleeping Lady Vineyard of Yountville and it’s available by allocation. Chris and his son Josh Phelps – who’s also a winemaker – make COIL Wines together, where they focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sought after California coastal vineyards. Chris also assists Josh with his fast-growing brand, Grounded Wine Co., a producer of premium California, Oregon and Washington wines that are terroir-driven, intriguing, and accessible.
“It has been an enormous privilege to work with four family-owned Napa Valley wineries over a 40-year period. It was a true gift to receive mentoring from Jean-Claude Berrouet, Christian Moueix, Michael Martini, Chuck Wagner, and other wine luminaries. I hope I have provided some mentorship in turn to younger winemakers over the years. The sharing of wine and knowledge is always such a great pleasure for me,” said Chris Phelps. “Other than consulting on a small project for Banfi in the Red Hills AVA in Eastern Washington state that I really enjoy, my focus is now on our family wines. I love working with my son Josh, with whom I have a completely symbiotic working relationship that is as fun as it is rewarding.”
Much more information can be found about all three of Chris Phelps’ family’s brands:
