The Appointment
Michael David Winery, the family-owned Lodi, California producer behind Freakshow and Earthquake, has named Michael Stein Vice President of National Sales, effective immediately. The hire signals the winery's intent to deepen its U.S. distributor network as it enters what management describes as a new phase of national expansion.
Stein brings more than two decades of sales leadership in the wine industry. His resume spans Robert Mondavi, Icon Estates — then a subsidiary of Constellation Brands — Terlato Wine Group, and King Estate Winery, giving him familiarity with both large-portfolio and premium-tier brand building across the three-tier distribution system.
Scope and Strategy
In the VP role, Stein will oversee national sales strategy and manage U.S. distributor relationships across on-premise and off-premise channels. He reports directly to executive leadership and will be responsible for expanding brand awareness and shelf presence for the winery's portfolio, which includes Freakshow, Misfits & Mavens, Earthquake, and Inkblot.
Melissa Phillips Stroud, Vice President of Michael David Winery, framed the appointment in terms of distribution momentum. "His extensive experience building distributor partnerships, leading successful sales teams, and growing brands across the country makes him a tremendous addition as we continue to build on the momentum of Michael David Winery," she said.
Stein, for his part, pointed to the winery's Lodi roots as a draw. "I'm excited to begin this new journey with Michael David Winery, a true pioneer of Lodi's wine industry," he said. "I look forward to helping grow its iconic brands, build on the family's legacy, and share the Michael David story with even more wine lovers across the country."
Industry Context
The appointment comes as mid-tier and premium wine producers face a shifting retail and on-premise environment. Off-premise wine volumes have faced category pressure from ready-to-drink alternatives and spirits-based beverages, making disciplined distributor management and brand differentiation increasingly critical for family-owned wineries competing without the scale advantages of the largest producers. For context on how beverage alcohol brands are navigating distributor consolidation, see our coverage of emerging trends in wine and spirits distribution and how regional wineries are scaling nationally.
Founded in 1984 by brothers Michael and David Phillips, the winery has grown from a grower-supplier model into a 900-acre estate producer with national recognition. The sixth generation of the Phillips family now leads operations, with Melissa Phillips Stroud among the senior leadership directing the next growth chapter. With Stein's hire, the winery is adding seasoned commercial infrastructure to what remains a family-governed business — a balance that has defined the brand's positioning for more than 40 years.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
