Randy & Cheryl Phillips
USA
They're part of the Old Guard of Paso Robles - with estate-grown wines to share
Years Angel funded: 2019-2023
Paso Robles wine growers Randy & Cheryl Phillips firmly believe in miracles — particularly, their Miracles Ranch estate — a sweeping 100-acre vineyard property they planted back in 1992 way before this Central Coast wine town developed a world-class reputation.
They've cemented their place in Paso Robles wine history as early grapegrowers of a now prestigious region. Their grapes have been sold to famous wineries for years and years, featured in iconic blends that sell upwards of $60 per bottle.
Now you're getting special access to the wines handcrafted from their award-winning vineyards. By funding this husband-wife team you’re getting exclusive access to Cabernet, Syrah and more from their historic paradise off Oakdale Road.
Randy & Cheryl Phillips's Story
Before becoming winemakers, Randy and Cheryl traveled the world, and fell in love with wine together. Randy’s job as a High-Tech Telecommunications Executive let them call Spain home for eight years. While navigating a culture where food and wine were central to everyday life, their appreciation and curiosity deepened. When they decided to return to the States, they couldn’t leave Spain behind.
The Vineyard
"We lived in Spain for 8 years and fell in love with Spanish wines. Because of that adventure, when we planted our vineyards and opened the winery years later, we planted Tempranillo, Granacha and Mataro along with other varieties."
Both Randy and Cheryl grew up in Southern California, but moved half-way up the state, to the fledgling wine region of Paso Robles, to start their own vineyard. Still working in his Executive position, Randy’s workdays got a lot longer when the pair purchased their first vineyard in 1987 and Miracles Ranch in 1991. The property is 100-acres, situated in the heart of Willow Creek District AVA, which has quite the reputation now but was not legally recognized until 2014. They got to work planting Spanish and international varieties in their limestone soils, and cared for them day in and day out.
For half of our 34 years in Paso, we were growers supplying grapes to large wineries throughout California. I went to several executive programs put on by U.C. Davis to learn viticulture and hone being a wine grape farmer. By 2004, the landscape for wine grapes and wineries in Paso Robles had changed dramatically.
When the Phillips arrived in Paso Robles, there were only twelve operational wineries in the area, and a scant 6,000 acres under vine. As they focused on improving the quality of their grapes and reputation, both of which are unparalleled in the Paso region, they watched that 6,000 slowly increase. They got new neighbors; which include prestigious wineries like Dusi, Daou, Halter Ranch, Tablas Creek, Justin, and Helen Turley; had front row seats to see 34,000 new acres planted; and helped little Paso Robles make a name for itself on the national stage. As the region expanded, their business needed to follow suit.
The Winery
"If we were going to survive, we needed to make wine and start a winery. Growers are always the ones taking ups and downs of the business cycle the hardest."
When Randy and Cheryl started their own winery, they quickly realized that they had a knack for it. Their first harvest, in 2004, was so small-scale that they crushed the grapes with their own feet! The operation has grown since then but the personal attention to detail hasn’t been lost in the shuffle, it’s improved as they made one award winning wine after another. Their wines have stolen the show at the San Francisco, Riverside, and Los Angeles International Wine Competitions; the California State Fair; Orange County, Central Coast, and San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competitions. At the same time, winemaking was stealing their hearts, too.
"This dust to wine cycle never gets old and every year brings a different challenge. No vintage is the same. Each is unique and provides something new and exciting!"
Joining Naked Wines
It’s clear that Randy and Cheryl love to be ahead of the curve, when first hints of change or opportunity are in the air they can sense it. It’s what led them to buy land in Paso Robles all those years ago, and it’s what brought their wines to Angels as well.
"As small businesspeople you always have to stay ahead of the pack and do something that differentiates you from others."
In 2018, they were looking for ways to make more wine and get that wine to customers who weren’t lucky enough to visit their tasting room. They found Naked Wines, and got to work crafting the best wines they could, from bud to bottle. Their timing could not have been better, since their Angel funding helped out tremendously when COVID restrictions closed their tasting room and local restaurants where their wines were sold. Randy and Cheryl are incredibly excited to share their Miracles Ranch wines with Angels, and they thank you for the opportunity to do what they love!
Randy & Cheryl's Archangels
Life is too short to drink cheap wine
Besides wine, I'm a passionate wanna be foodie! I love to cook and experiment in the kitchen- of course with a glass of NW to keep my company. I love all of NW wines especially anything from Stefano di Blasi, Dave Harvey, Rabbitt and Spaghetti, the Michauds, Karen Birmingham, Stephen Millier, Daniel Baron, the Phillips, the Glaabs, the Dashe's.. the list is endless! From the great PNW with love, LaDonna ALWAYS needs more wine!
