David Coventry, Principal Consultant
David Coventry is a native of Monterey, California. He left briefly to explore the east coast during his high school years, but regained his sanity and returned home for the college years and beyond. David graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in Biology and soon started work as a Protein Chemist.
After 4 years of making drugs for a living (therapeutic, of course), David turned his attentions to managing the San Francisco rock band Box Set. During these years, David gained great experience in logistics, people skills, and (most importantly) general good times. Naturally, these two previous careers gave David the perfect skill sets to become a winemaker.
In 1997, David’s first job was as an Enologist at Chalone Vineyards in the beautiful Gavilan mountain range above Soledad. During his time there, David advanced to Assistant Winemaker and had alot of fun as well as success (be sure to ask him about the notorious times at the shareholder’s parties).
In 2001, David’s first job as Winemaker was for Cloninger Vineyards in Gonzales. A fruitful year was spent there learning the responsibilities for all aspects of the winemaking process. The experience of building a winery from the ground up was essential to understanding the practical aspects of efficient design. Tending to all the facets of the vineyard was another body of knowledge that was crucial for continued success.
In 2002, the next step was to Morgan Winery in Salinas. The move to a larger winery provided exciting and valuable insights into the marketing and production of fine wine. David cemented his reputation as an accomplished winemaker when two of his wines were placed on the 2005 top 100 wines of the year lists in Wine and Spirits magazine. He was also the only Monterey winemaker to make the 2005 top 100 wines list in Wine Spectator magazine.
In 2005, after three years of rewarding time, David had become the head Winemaker for De Tierra Vineyards which focused on small lot production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah from the finest vineyards around Monterey County. For David, this was an opportunity to make wines without compromise. David's winemaking style was continued to be recognized by the wine making community when De Tierra won the winery of the year award in 2010 from the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
In 2010, Coventry Wines was founded to help with the production of fine wines as well as the establishing of new brands and wineries throughout the state. Wine education for private citizens as well as business is a favorite focus as knowledge of wine adds to appreciation and of sales for businesses. The excitement in the creation of new projects is the focus of Coventry Wines and it’s mission is to put more fine wine into the hands of the people that enjoy it.
Coventry Wines was founded to help others establish new projects, educate private citizens and commercial enterprises and increase the knowledge and appreciation of the world of wine and wine production. Taking advantage of 14 successful years in the wine production, sales and development aspects of the business, David Coventry helps others to realize their goals in the world of wine.
