Napa, Calif.—Vintage Wine Estates in Santa Rosa, Calif., acquired a majority interest in Napa-based Splinter Group Spirits, which was founded in 2013 by vintner Dave Phinney and the Wilkinson family. The company produces the Straight Edge brand of Bourbon whiskey and the American whiskey Slaughter House. The spirits are aged in French oak wine barrels previously used for Bordeaux variety red wines.

Phinney is the former owner of Orin Swift Cellars and John Wilkinson is the founder of Bin to Bottle custom crush winery in Napa. Pat Roney is a partner in Bin to Bottle and the president and CEO of Vintage Wine Estates.

As part of the acquisition, “renowned winemakers and whiskey aficionados” Steve Matthiasson and Bob Cabral have signed on to the new team to expand Splinter’s offerings in the near future. "The winemaker voice is essential to the authenticity of these brands," said Roney in the press release announcing the deal. "We are thrilled to have two of the industry's most distinguished winemakers join the project."