Step behind the scenes of the Martin Family of Brands and discover the passion, craftsmanship, and innovation that go into every bottle of wine and spirits we create. From vineyard to cellar, grain to still, our team works tirelessly to bring the best of the Finger Lakes to your glass.
Here, we’ll take you inside our wine cellar and distillery, where you can learn about the artistry, passion, and Finger Lakes fun that fuel our craft.
Meet Our Winemakers & Distiller
Phil Plummer, Head Winemaker
How’d you get into winemaking?
“I went to university at RIT, with the intention of pursuing a career in biotech, computer science, or some combination of the two. Early in my freshman year I learned that the wine tasting classes offered through the hospitality program were open to everybody and that if you took them you could taste wines even if you were under 21. I signed up immediately and fell in love with wine. I started my own experiments with winemaking and brewing in my college apartment, but I didn’t see that for the career path that it was until I took a part-time job at a local winery. Once I understood that I could make a living making wine, I changed my major, graduated as quickly as possible, and started working in winemaking full-time. 16 years later, I’m even more excited about wine and winemaking than I was when I started.”
What do you enjoy most about winemaking?
“The most exciting aspect of any art form is the chance to bring abstract ideas into physical existence, and winemaking is no exception. Every wine we make is a unique opportunity to evaluate and refine our ideas about nature, beauty, tradition, time, and place, and we get to watch those ideas manifest as a living product that we can share with others. It’s a revelatory process that never gets old.”
What is your philosophy and inspiration behind creating our wines?
“I like to color outside the lines, but in a way that highlights the lines so it’s obvious that I’m aware of them and stepping outside intentionally. I’m a student of winemaking history and tradition, and what I really love is taking classic wine styles and techniques and applying them in very novel, unconventional ways.”
Just for fun, what do you listen to while creating in the cellar?
“I’m always listening to something while working in the cellar. Usually, it’s a podcast; current events, history, comedy, and true crime are some of my favorite genres. Occasionally, I’ll find conversation to be distracting, so I switch to music – mostly indie hip-hop and rock.”
Alex Bienvenue, Assistant Winemaker
How’d you get into winemaking?
“I got into winemaking in my early 20s when my wife bought me a winemaking kit. We made five gallons of Chardonnay together, and to our surprise, it turned out pretty good! That first batch had me hooked, and I started wondering—could this be a career? While studying at the University of Massachusetts, I discovered their BDIC program, which allows students to design their own majors. I applied, got in, and created my own Viticulture and Enology program. And now, here I am today, making wine in the Finger Lakes!”
What do you enjoy most about winemaking?
“I love that winemaking offers a constant and endless supply of things to learn—not just about wine itself, but across so many different fields. From logistics and engineering to manufacturing, every aspect of working in a winery presents new challenges and opportunities for growth. There’s always something more to discover, making it an incredibly dynamic and rewarding industry.”
What is your philosophy and inspiration behind creating our wines?
“I’m really just inspired to make wines that I think people will love. That’s really the crux of the goal with anything I make. I like making a wide range of styles and just making sure that people go home happy to share their favorite bottles with friends and family.”
Just for fun, what do you listen to while creating in the cellar?
“I basically listen to podcasts non-stop in the cellar. It’s getting to the point where I have to constantly look for new and interesting shows to listen to so please, if you’re ever out and see me, give me recommendations of what you’re listening to as well.”
Zach Martin, Head Distiller
Being a third-generation Martin, Zach has discovered his niche in the distillery. In 2017, he took the lead role as Head Distiller after years of shadowing those ahead of him.
