Winetrepreneurs: Taken Wine Company

(PalatePress) - Friends Josh Phelps and Carlo Trinchero had the idea to go into business together during Trinchero’s senior year of college. “Josh and I stayed in touch and simultaneously began getting into the wine business on our own. We both had that entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to start young and see where it took us,” says Trinchero. Phelps remembers, “We would get together and start talking business. It just happened. Next thing we knew we had formed an LLC.” Taken Wine Company was born, and, in 2010, 100 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon were released, “to sell to our friends,” says Phelps.

In an industry that embraces tradition — consider the ongoing cork vs. screw top debate — 27-year-old Phelps and 25-year-old Trinchero are part of a growing trend of young wine entrepreneurs who are putting their own stamp on the industry. Both grew up in winemaking families, but wanted to do their own thing. Josh is the son of winemaker Chris Phelps, and Carlo’s family runs Trinchero Family Estates.

While neither has formal training in wine, degrees in business and communications/marketing are just as relevant. Phelps ‘s made wine with his dad as a child, worked in friends’ cellars, and even a harvest for Joel Gott after graduation. He also spent three years in sales; “sometimes the hands-on immersion is just as good,” he says. Trinchero, for his part, soaked up all he could in the family business, gaining “invaluable experience working harvest for Mario Monticelli at Trinchero Napa Valley … I did odd jobs like hosing down vehicles, running the mail, and absorbing the wine business.”  Phelps says he and Trinchero have “always surrounded themselves with good people to help.” Trinchero agrees. “Both Josh and I learn every day from our peers and the other winemakers who have held our hands during this process.”