Meet Lise Asimont and Shawn Phillips of Dot Wines

Some wines begin in boardrooms. Others in barrel rooms. But Dot Wines? It began with a dare between a powerhouse viticulturist and her artistic, grounded husband. What started as a playful challenge is now a stunningly small, deeply expressive wine label built on authenticity, place and the joy of doing things your own way. Meet the duo behind the Dot—Lise and Shawn—and learn how their love story, family roots and creative spark gave rise to one of California’s most quietly compelling wine projects.

Lise Asimont

Lise Asimont is one of those rare wine professionals whose résumé reads like a who's who of California wine, but you'd never know it from her grounded presence. With more than two decades of experience growing ultra-premium grapes across California’s top vineyards, Lise brings a viticulturist’s precision and a storyteller’s soul to her winemaking. She believes wine should be a clear translation of the vineyard; less ego, more terroir.⁠

But her expertise is only part of the story. Lise is also a proud Hapa Pinay, whose heritage and identity infuse every aspect of her work. The term Hapa Pinay reflects Lise’s identity as a woman of mixed Asian and Pacific Islander descent (hapa) and specifically of Filipino heritage (pinay). Raised in a multicultural household and spending time in both Southern California and Maui, Lise’s worldview is shaped by a deep respect for family (ohana), tradition and resilience.

In a wine industry that has historically centered Eurocentric narratives, Lise stands as both a leader and a disruptor, intentionally making space for stories that haven’t always had a seat at the table. Her identity isn’t just a part of her story; it’s a lens through which she approaches wine, community and the land. Growing up with roots in the Philippines and Hawaii, she learned early on the value of community, cultural pride and forging new paths with intention. Her presence (and her voice) offer a refreshing and necessary shift.

Shawn Phillips

Shawn Phillips might not be a winemaker, but make no mistake, Dot wouldn’t exist without him. With a background in fine art and a lifelong passion for gardening, Shawn brings a visual and tactile sensibility to everything Dot does. He sees beauty in imperfection, meaning in messiness and purpose in the details most people overlook. Raised on a sheep ranch in Mendocino County, Shawn is as rooted in land as Lise is in vine.

It was Shawn who threw down the dare that started it all. After countless blind tastings that never quite hit the mark for Lise’s picky Pinot palate, he challenged her to make her own. That playful spark turned into a full-blown family project; one that now includes label design, branding and vineyard sourcing decisions made together. His role? Creative director, support system and resident truth-teller. He drinks like a gardener—unpretentious, grounded and always looking for balance.

Dot Wines

Dot Wines is as intimate as it gets; small production, vineyard-specific and guided by instinct as much as expertise. Lise and Shawn work with world-class vineyard sites and growers they trust, choosing fruit that speaks volumes on its own. Their wines are made with minimal intervention, allowing vintage variation and vineyard expression to take center stage. It’s not about perfection, it’s about capturing a moment in time and bottling it with care.

The name Dot comes from the idea that a dot is both the start and end of something. It’s the essence of simplicity, the foundation of art. The Dot logo, with its intentionally messy border, is a reminder that life and wine aren’t supposed to be flawless. Every vintage is different. Every bottle has its own truth. And that, in itself, is the point.