Meet Our Vintners: Michael David Winery
A Conversation with Michael David Winery and Melissa Phillips-Stroud
When you step into Michael David Winery, you're stepping into 160 years of Lodi history. The Phillips family homesteaded this land in 1865 and has been farming it ever since—a legacy that shapes everything about how the winery operates today. We sat down with Melissa Phillips-Stroud, sixth-generation family member and VP of Michael David Winery, to explore what makes Michael David one of California Wine Country's most distinctive destinations.
More Than a Tasting Room
Michael David Winery is fundamentally a place where everyone belongs. Walk through the doors and you'll encounter not just wine, but an entire ecosystem built on genuine hospitality. The Farm Café serves breakfast and lunch featuring handmade pies from Melissa's great-grandmother's recipe, alongside seasonal produce grown on-site. The Bistro offers wood-fired pizzas and local ingredients. Bocce ball courts, flower gardens, and dog-friendly grounds create spaces for genuine connection, not just commerce.
"People see our quirky labels and wonder what they're getting into," Melissa explains. "But when they visit, they discover there's so much more than they expected." Families are genuinely welcomed—a rarity in today's wine country. Friends come for the food. Wine enthusiasts find quality and variety. Long-time Lodi residents remember when Melissa's grandparents ran farm tours and a road side fruit stand here, before it became a winery.
This philosophy—"wine for all & all for wine"—is not just a marketing tagline. It's embedded in how the winery operates. "Every person walking through the door is treated like a VIP," Melissa says. "We know our customers, our growers, our team members by name. There's nothing corporate or detached about how we operate."
Lodi Rules and Farming for the Future
Michael David Winery was a believer from the beginning in the Lodi Rules, a comprehensive certification system with over 100 standards covering environmental, social, and economic sustainability. For Melissa, it's rooted in something deeper than certification—it's her family's 160-year commitment to the land.
"We speak to Lodi Rules every single day," she explains. "We want to continue farming here for the next six generations." The commitment is meticulous. Michael David keeps detailed records of every grape lot, aging portions in neutral barrels to evaluate each one individually. This creates a historical database that reveals patterns and informs strategic improvements.
"At the end of the day, you're farming for the future," Melissa says simply. "That's what guides every decision we make."
Meet Melissa: The Sixth Generation
Melissa's connection to Michael David runs deeper than a job title. Growing up, the winery wasn't a corporate workplace—it was her playground. Vineyards surrounded her childhood home, and her grandparents instilled fierce commitment to the land and community. "I grew up learning about hard work, about community, about grit," she says. "That shaped me into who I am today."
A recovering overachiever, Melissa graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a double degree in Agriculture Business and Wine & Viticulture before pursuing her Certificate of Wine Business at Sonoma State. With over a decade in the wine industry—including time in tasting rooms before returning to lead Michael David—she brings both deep roots and fresh perspective to the family business. Her approach centers on fostering innovation while empowering her team, a balance that reflects her own journey from ambitious student to thoughtful leader.
But her role extends far beyond tactics. As the voice of the sixth generation, Melissa balances honoring tradition while pushing thoughtfully into new territory. "I feel a responsibility to protect what generations before me built, but also to make sure we stay relevant," she says, thinking of her three boys and a potential seventh generation. "It takes bravery to show up in an industry that's struggling and help shape where we go next without losing who we are."
The Person Behind the Brand
After a long day managing 200 employees, what does Melissa reach for? "It depends on my mood," she laughs. She might pour Michael David Rosé, their Misfits & Mavens Pinot Grigio, or the 6th Sense Syrah—a family favorite despite not being mainstream. There's also the Freak Show Cabernet, their bestseller, "It's approachable, food-friendly, and it's our number one for a reason."
But her answer reveals something deeper. She doesn't have one favorite. Instead, she and her husband bring home bottles with scratched labels or those leftover from tastings—the imperfect ones. "You just grab whatever is closest," she says with honesty. "As a farmer, you pick the fruit with a blemish and cut it out. That's just part of your history."
Working with family is challenging, and Melissa doesn't pretend otherwise. She sets intentional boundaries—she'll take work calls from her father or uncle day or night, but evenings and children's sports are sacred. As the VP with a CFO spouse, they manage a structure where everyone in the company reports to both of them, and they in turn report to Mike and Dave Phillips. "The honest answer is we don't navigate it perfectly," she says. "But we try. We talk about work at the office and family in the evenings, and you have to create some mental separation, even if it's not perfect."
What sustains her isn't wine—it's everything else. She's pursuing an MBA in Wine Business at Sonoma State, practices yoga regularly, meets a friend for coffee weekly oftentimes at Maison Lodi, and maintains a 15-year book club. Last year, after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her perspective shifted. "It's easy to get too caught up in problems that need solving," she reflects. "But staying grounded, experiencing joy, being present—those matter more."
Appellation Lodi and Michael David Winery: A Neighborly Friendship For Generations
The relationship between Appellation Lodi, formerly Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, and Michael David Winery reflects a shared history increasingly rare in hospitality. When Wine & Roses opened as a bed and breakfast, Michael David was one of fewer than a handful of wineries in Lodi—a time when the region was barely known. Over decades, both have grown together, deepening their partnership as Lodi's reputation blossomed.
Today, that history translates into authentic connection. Michael David isn't a strategic acquisition. They're neighbors and hosts who've watched each other grow, who understand Lodi's unique identity, and who share a commitment to community-rooted hospitality.
When you stay at Appellation Lodi, a visit to Michael David Winery is more than a tasting. It's an introduction to the real story of wine country, told by people who've lived it for six generations.
"I wish people knew how deeply personal this brand is to us," Melissa says. "Behind every label, every vineyard block, there's real family stories, real decisions, real risks, and a lot of passion. We're hands-on. We know people by name. That's what makes us special."
*All images courtesy of Michael David Winery.