Phil Freese is an internationally acclaimed wine growing advisor with an intimate knowledge of the world’s vineyards. He graduated from Purdue University in 1968 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and received a Ph. D. in Biochemistry/Biophysics from the University of California at Davis in 1973. During his tenure as Vice President of Winegrowing at the Robert Mondavi Winery, (1982 – 1993) headquartered in Oakville California, Phil contracted for grape supply, gave direction to growers on improved wine growing techniques for wine style and quality enhancement, and directed the viticultural research program. He worked with all of the Mondavi Corporation wineries; Opus One, Oakville, Vichon, Woodbridge, and Byron Vineyards on the central coast of California. After leaving Mondavi, Phil began the independent wine growing services business, WineGrow, in 1993. He works closely with wine makers and the vineyard sources of wine grapes to achieve the full expression of wine character from each site. Freese’s vineyard and wine work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as, Practical Winery & Vineyard, The Wine Spectator, Wines and Vines and other industry trade publications. As well, he has presented at professional and industry meetings both domestic and internationally. He has participated in technical programs and class presentations for the University of California Extension. Phil is the Wine Growing partner and an owner of Vilafonté Vineyards in Paarl and Stellenbosch South Africa. Phil consults internationally to wine growers and wine producers in South Africa, Chile, Argentina and the Golan Heights of Israel. He maintains a consulting practice based in home state of California.
