Philosophy

We believe wine embodies the truth of the land.  A truth originating in the natural elements of the vineyard. A truth transformed by the knowledge of the grower and winemaker into the flavor of a place in time. We source grapes from family-owned growers committed to quality and sustainability choosing vineyards based on unique characteristics. Winemaker James MacPhail crafts the wine for flavor, texture, and distinction.  Our emblem is inspired by an ancient Celtic symbol representing truth as the balance of nature and knowledge.

Origins

Ireland Family Wines was founded on March 1st, 2020, by Chris and Amy Ireland. Chris Ireland’s journey in wine was inspired by a visit to Napa and Sonoma CA in 1989. Shortly following that visit, he took a job as a bartender to pay for college, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics. After graduation, he began a career in sales, continuing to bartend evenings. Bartending led to a position as a wine buyer and building a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. The spark of wonder in 1989 became a passion that grew into a vision with a goal to own a wine company and winery. Working to gain knowledge of the wine industry over twenty years, Chris held roles in sales and marketing at a wine distributor, importers, and national leadership roles with a Napa Valley winery. Through the challenges of 2020 and 2021, we produced our first two vintages, started developing a distribution network, and began shipping wine to retail in March 2022.

Team

james

James MacPhail

Winemaker
Since our first vintage in 2020, winemaker James MacPhail has guided the winemaking program crafting the uniqueness of place into wines with flavor and texture, a signature style that has become his trademark. James and Chris met while working at a Napa winery together in 2009. James was the first phone call Chris made after starting his company.
amy

Amy Ireland

Marketing/Owner
Amy Ireland graduated with a degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing. She spent a career spanning multiple roles in product marketing, brand strategy, and advertising. Amy’s trip to wine country with Chris in 2002 planted the seeds for her role in directing and coordinating branding and marketing strategy.
chris

Chris Ireland

President/Owner
What began as a spark of wonder while visiting wine country in 1989 developed into a passion with a vision. Chris founded Ireland Family Wines with the purpose to produce wines that inspire others.
mike

Michael Murphy

Creative Director
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (Visual Communication), Mike oversees all creative and design elements for Ireland Family Wines.

Team

james

James MacPhail

Winemaker
Since our first vintage in 2020, winemaker James MacPhail has guided the winemaking program crafting the uniqueness of place into wines with flavor and texture, a signature style that has become his trademark. James and Chris met while working at a Napa winery together in 2009. James was the first phone call Chris made after starting his company.
chris

Chris Ireland

President/Owner
What began as a spark of wonder while visiting wine country in 1989 developed into a passion with a vision. Chris founded Ireland Family Wines with the purpose to produce wines that inspire others.
amy

Amy Ireland

Marketing/ Owner
Amy Ireland graduated with a degree in Communications with a minor in Marketing. She spent a career spanning multiple roles in product marketing, brand strategy, and advertising. Amy’s trip to wine country with Chris in 2002 planted the seeds for her role in directing and coordinating branding and marketing strategy.
mike

Michael Murphy

Creative Director
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (Visual Communication), Mike oversees all creative and design elements for Ireland Family Wines.