About Underdog Wine & Spirits
Underdog Wine & Spirits, an unleashed unit of The Wine Group, is the champion of emerging brands for the new millennium: the “underdogs” of the sometimes stuffy wine and spirits world. We work with domestic and international producers to craft unique adult beverages that are a breed apart. The home of Cupcake, Fish Eye, flipflop, Big House and Octavin Home Wine Bar, our portfolio includes many of today’s most dynamic growth brands.
Our goal is to introduce these premium and super premium wines to a generation of wine-drinkers with fresh perspectives on both tradition and technology. We want to produce quality wine in new, innovative packaging that is more practical and sustainable, yet still appeals to wine lovers at all levels of experience. We hope that by exploring and presenting lesser-known varietals from exciting regions all over the world, we will be opening doors to intriguing new wines for people just as enthusiastic and adventurous as ourselves.
Adam Richardson, our head winemaker, carries a philosophy to create wines that are truthful to their origins-by expressing the character of the region, the qualities of the variety and the personality of the creators. Adam strives to carefully craft wines that are in harmony with both the label and the brand personality. Finally, Adam wishes to over-deliver in the quality of our wine and to create immense value so that great wine can be enjoyed everyday. To us, it is all about the wines!
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Adam Richardson International Winemaker for Underdog Wine & Spirits and a native of Western Australia, Adam Richardson has been making wine professionally for more than twelve years both in Australia and California. Throughout the year, Adam travels to the great wine regions of the world, collaborating with winemakers in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand to craft the Underdog Wine Merchants’ international portfolio of fine wines. Adam recently launched his own wine label, Chockstone by A.T. Richardson, which he makes in the cool-climate Grampians region of Australia. Prior to winemaking, Adam was an aviator in the Royal Australian Navy. But ten years and many glasses of wine later, he jumped ship to begin his second career as a winemaker. When he’s not making wine, he is in the mountains, skiing, climbing, or barreling down ‘single tracks’ on his mountain bike. And at the end of these adventure-filled days, he always relaxes with a glass of wine. |
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John Shaver Jr. John Shaver joined the team as the Underdog Wine Bar Manager aka “the Guard Dog” in 2011. Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, John has also lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but now is in sunny California. John has over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. He currently is the co-Chairman for the United States Bartenders Guild North Bay and had competed in and judged multiple bartender competitions. Most recently, John won a first place tie for “Boeheimian Magazine’s Best of the North Bay 2011- Best Bartender in Napa County.” “I have always enjoyed wine, but I never realized until I moved to California that it was possible to have an affair with it,” says John. When John’s not at Underdog Wine Bar, he enjoys camping, kayaking, fishing, golf and skiing. He loves cooking and barbecuing with friends. |
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