Sipping the Story: Where Every Glass Tells a Little More
Recently, James McPhail shared the arc of his 30-year journey in winemaking—from his early days at Kistler and other wineries to buying back the McPhail brand from Hess Collection in 2024. Along the way, he talked about the projects that define him today, including Tongue Dancer Wines, which he and his wife Carrie founded in 2012, as well as his work as an independent winemaker for a range of other brands. Throughout the conversation, James’s commitment to sustainable farming came through clearly, along with the distinction he draws between being an independent winemaker and simply serving as a consultant.