NAPA, Calif. (April 12, 2021) – Winemaker Josh Phelps, owner of Grounded Wine Co. and producer of premium California, Oregon and Washington wines, is pleased to announce further development of the Grounded Wine Co. sales team. With more than three decades in pivotal distributor roles, Sheldon Alexander joins Grounded Wine Co. as Vice President of National Sales. Alexander will continue to shape the newly developed internal sales team for Grounded Wine Co.
Grounded Wine Co. is an All-American grass roots project grounded in heritage, soil and simplicity – producing terroir-driven wines that are intriguing, balanced and accessible. Based in Napa Valley, Phelps crafts wines for a new generation of wine drinkers using select sustainably-grown fruit from trusted farmers in California, Oregon and Washington. In recognition of his fresh approach and industry leadership, Phelps has been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, along with Zagat’s 30 under 30, and Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40.
“As the demand for Grounded wines has grown considerably across the country, we continue to develop our sales team and Sheldon Alexander is a natural addition,” said Phelps. “As a respected, high-level distributor, Sheldon truly knows the business from both sides. Led by Sheldon’s expertise as an industry veteran, we are excited to increase our presence with our distributor partners and national accounts.”
Sheldon Alexander began his career at Young’s Market Company where he successfully managed and built teams of more than 100 people, achieved Business Unit of the Year, revitalized and expanded market positions in select states and facilitated start-up operations for complex mergers. Most recently, he was Vice President of Chains at Epic Wine and Spirits where he built a competitive chain team focused on the super-premium wine segment.
“I am inspired by the extraordinary growth of Grounded Wine Co. across the country,” said Sheldon Alexander. “It is clear wine consumers are connected to this high-quality brand and I aim to increase the presence of these wines with distributor partners, national accounts and retailers.”
Follow Grounded Wine Co. on Facebook & Instagram.
Follow Josh Phelps on Instagram.
About Grounded Wine Co.
Grounded in heritage, grounded in soil, grounded in simplicity – Grounded Wine Co.‘s mission is to create wines that evoke a sense of place. Intriguing, clean, balanced, and accessible, Grounded Wine Co. produces terroir-driven wines with an emphasis on quality and experience. Grounded Wine Co. is the personal brand of Napa native Josh Phelps, built to reflect his experience growing up in wine country, and his relationships in the wine community. A grassroots, all-American wine label, the wines feature grapes from trusted, sustainable vineyards in the U.S. and showcase what it means to be a winemaker today. Grounded Wine Co. crafts these wines in select quantities:
- Grounded by Josh Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grounded by Josh Phelps Sauvignon Blanc
- Collusion Cabernet Sauvignon
- Collusion Red Wine
- Landform Pinot Noir
- Public Radio Red Wine
- Space Age Rosé
- Steady State Cabernet Sauvignon
About Josh Phelps
Josh’s roots run deep in Napa, where he was exposed to the industry from a young age, starting his very first endeavor in the wine world, “Napa Valet,” at age 15. He continued to build his knowledge of the business through college, selling wine, working harvest and creating wine for friends with his father, Chris Phelps. Chris & Josh still work together on Grounded Wine Co., and Chris also makes wine for Inglenook and Ad Vivum. As a Napa local, Josh’s philosophies on winemaking and business are inspired by the luminaries of the wine world he calls his mentors and friends like Joel Gott, Kimberly Jones, the late Leslie Rudd, and of course, his own father, Chris Phelps.
With Grounded Wine Co., Josh hopes to build on this legacy and make his own splash in the wine world while exposing wine drinkers of his own generation to his hometown in wine country. Working with trusted farmers and childhood friends, his company reflects his deep understanding of wine, one that can only be developed growing up around the vines. He has been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, along with Zagat’s 30 under 30, and Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40. Josh is an Eagle Scout, and enjoys mountain biking, fishing and snowboarding in his free time.
