Conversations with Daniel Lipsky

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Lipsky.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I have a background in computer science and worked in IT for most of my life. I’ve always been passionate about creating new products and have enjoyed home-brewing beer for friends and family. I would enjoy visiting local breweries and tasting their bourbon barrel-aged stouts which friends and I felt had so much more flavor than those beers traditionally made. After a winery opened up down the street from my house, I helped the owner to get his business off the ground. I wanted to see if anyone was making bourbon barrel-aged wines during that time. I found a few coming out on the market, and when I tasted them, I felt they had little difference from regular wine. That exciting delta I found with barrel-aged stouts wasn’t there. I convinced the winemaker to do a bourbon barrel-aged wine with me – properly getting the spices and flavors I wanted into the wine. When we released the wine, it was his best seller. I knew I was onto something, so I started my own company focusing solely on the craft of bourbon, rum, and tequila barrel-aging wine. Since then, I have sold 10 different spirits barrel-aged wines at farmers’ markets, local restaurants, wine club members (local and remote), and at my speakeasy tasting room in Poway, CA.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting any new business in 2020 was a challenge. Due to the pandemic and shutdowns, I was mainly trying to get the materials needed to bottle the wines and initial customers. Although challenging, I could still get my product made the way I wanted it to come out and release my first batch of wines, where I won a gold and silver medal from the San Diego International Wine and Spirits Competition. Transitioning from a full-time IT job to something completely different was also a challenge since I have always been the sole income provider for my wife, 2 kids, and my father-in-law, that lives with us. I needed to hit the ground running and ramp up enough production to cover my bills and expenses during a challenging time for everyone.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an IT professional throughout my career, I specialized in Software Configuration Management, which is a way to analyze the version control and defect tracking systems used for software development. Helping companies with their methodologies to make them more efficient with time and money was something I enjoyed doing, and watching the results unfold. Even though owning a winery is quite different from software development, finding ways to be more efficient in production and reducing the time and money needed to make the product is still quite relevant.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
Bourbon, Rum, and Tequila barrel-aged wines are niche products in the wine industry, and only a few companies are taking advantage of the flavor differences that this process provides the wines. Many winemakers are traditional, and the last thing they want to do after spending years growing their grapes is put a barrel flavor in front of their wine. However, I don’t have the same hang-ups as a traditional winery, as I want to create a unique and fun product that my customers love drinking. Over the next 5-10 years, I see more customers wishing to gravitate from their ‘grandmother’s’ wine to something more exciting for a new generation of wine drinkers. Although traditional wines will always be needed, even traditional drinkers appreciate these new and exciting products. I see these products expanding in the next 5-10 years.

Pricing:

• Remote Wine Club $80 for 2 bottles every 2 months
• 20% off for wine club members
• Free Shipping for wine club members
• $45 average price per bottle
• $15 200ml mini-bottles available

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barrelriot.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrelriot/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrelriot/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrelriot
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barrel-riot-poway-2

Image Credits
Saki Saki Sushi Bar in Carmel Mountain Ranch (San Diego) Dan and April Lipsky