Greg Lipsker
Greg Lipsker
Co-owner | Barrister Winery
A titan in the wine industry for more than two decades, Greg Lipsker began his journey in 1972 as an undergraduate at Gonzaga University in Washington. At that time, the school offered a unique program called the Underground University, where teachers shared their personal interests with students instead of focusing on traditional subjects, in which the dean taught a wine appreciation class. This sparked his passion for it, which he held onto while pursuing a different path. Graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree, he went on to earn a master’s in education counseling and ultimately a law degree from Georgetown in 1976. He excelled as an attorney at Witherspoon Brajcich McPhee, PLLC from 1977 to 2006.
In 1995, a student asked Mr. Lipsker for legal help in setting up a winery, Walla Walla Visitors, which he ultimately contributed to launching; today, Walla Walla has grown to more than 200 wineries. Two years later, he and his business partner, Michael White, were traveling to British Columbia and, realizing they forgot to bring drinks, went to a local shop to buy wine and walked out with a winemaking kit instead of bottles, with which they made five gallons of red wine from a concentrate, marking the start of their journey. Since 2001, he has served as the co-owner of Barrister Winery in Spokane.
Over the last 20 years, the winery has accrued numerous accolades. He considers his most notable achievement to be entering the second bottle they ever produced, the 2002 Cabernet Franc, into the Wines of the World competition, which featured 3,000 wines from around the globe, where it won Best of Show. This wine was categorized under the boutique class, which limited production to no more than 2,500 cases, and since they only made 134 cases, this recognition is one he holds with great pride. He attributes his longevity in the industry to the quality of their wine and strong ties to the Spokane community, as most of their wine is sold locally.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Lipsker’s goals are centered on continuing to produce wine that is recognized as some of the finest red wines available. He aims to maintain their current position while continuing to contribute to the development of Spokane and assisting those in need.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Greg Lipsker for Expertise in the Winemaking Industry
Greg Lipsker is lauded for his tenure as the co-owner of the award-winning Barrister Winery
SPOKANE, WA, June 03, 2025 — Greg Lipsker has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Lipsker together with his partner, Michael White, is a distinguished co-owner of Barrister Winery, where he has excelled in crafting red wines since 2001. His expertise in this field is widely recognized, and his dedication to producing high-quality wines has been a cornerstone of his career. Under his leadership, Barrister Winery has experienced significant growth, with its wine club expanding from an initial goal of 50 to 60 members to nearly 2,000. This growth is attributed to the unique experiences offered to members, such as wine glass tastings with fine crystal from Riedel Crystal, musical events like the Northwest Bach Fest and Connoisseur Concerts, winemaking dinners and even whale-watching cruises. Mr. Lipsker’s commitment to creating memorable experiences has set Barrister Winery apart in the industry.
Before venturing into winemaking, Mr. Lipsker had a successful career as a securities and business transactions attorney. He initially pursued a career in criminal defense after graduating from law school in 1976, drawn by his institution’s strong clinical criminal law program. However, Mr. Lipsker soon realized that the adversarial nature of criminal defense was not a good fit for his temperament. This realization led him to pivot towards business law, where he thrived for the remainder of his legal career.
Mr. Lipsker’s educational background laid a strong foundation for his diverse career path. He received a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University in 1972, followed by a master’s degree in education counseling in 1973 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Georgetown University in 1976. Mr. Lipsker’s undergraduate experience at Gonzaga was particularly influential in his decision to pursue winemaking later in life. It was there that he discovered a unique program called the Underground University. This early exposure to wine appreciation ultimately guided him towards his current profession.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Lipsker is actively involved in various industry-related organizations. He has served as a director for both the Washington Wine Institute and the Spokane Winery Association, contributing to the growth and development of the wine industry in Washington state. Mr. Lipsker’s leadership extends beyond the wine industry, engaged with civic-minded organizations such as the executive committee of Visit Spokane and through affiliations with the Neighborhood Economic Development Alliance, the Economic Development Council, the West Central Neighborhood Community Center and Spokane Sports Unlimited. Moreover, his efforts have made a positive impact on those in need within the community, including abused children and low-income families, through programs like Meals on Wheels.
Mr. Lipsker’s contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including Best of Show at the Los Angeles Wines of the World Competition in 2002 for Barrister Winery’s second bottle of wine produced, the 2002 Cabernet Franc. This achievement is particularly significant given that it was categorized under the boutique class with limited production. Additionally, Barrister Winery has garnered over 100 gold and platinum medals in winemaking competitions, further cementing its reputation for excellence.
Mr. Lipsker is dedicated to consistently producing some of the finest red wines available while maintaining Barrister Winery’s position as a pillar of the Spokane community. He also intends to remain committed to contributing to Spokane’s development and assisting those who require support.
