Peter Murphy

Peter came to Napa Valley in 1974 to put his degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis to work. After a year of helping manage a 2000 acre vineyard in Delano, California, he worked in Pope Valley, California with the vineyard development of a 4000 acre ranch converting cattle land to producing vineyards. He then moved into the winemaking side of the business with crush and cellar work at Cuvaison in Calistoga. A farmer at heart, Peter longed to get back in the dirt, so he accepted management and developmental work for Beckstoffer Vineyards in the Napa Valley for eight years before establishing his own company, Ag Tech Services, Inc. (ATS) in 1987.

Ag Tech Services specializes in developing and managing small estate vineyards. Peter works with the owners to develop and enhance the distinct characteristics of each vineyard site. To date, he has developed over 1,500 acres of vineyards and managed over 2,500 acres.

Peter’s connection to the soil instilled in him a desire to create his own wine, something that would tell the unique story of each vineyard. So, in 1995, he created Murphy Vineyards. For that first vintage, he sourced a special select lot of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rosenquist Vineyard in the Mt. Veeder appellation of the Napa Valley and asked his friend and Napa Valley pioneer Art Finkelstien of Judd’s Hill Winery to make the wine.

Through ATS, Peter continued to develop relationships with grape growers and small vineyard owners, and sourced premium fruit for his artisan wines. Today, he continues to oversee the winery and vineyard management business. His son, assistant winemaker Kevin Murphy, directs sales and helps with vineyard operations. His son, Michael, designs and builds winery equipment while his daughter, Melissa, handles administration. Peter’s wife, Nancy, runs the office.

The Murphy family adopts a down-to-earth, European philosophy when it comes to wine. They believe in smooth, balanced wines that pair with fun, food and friends. When he’s not working or judging a wine competition, you can find Peter at wine tasting events sharing the story of each wine with new and old friends.

PROFESSIONAL RESUME OF PETER F. MURPHY

SUMMARY: Thirty years experience in the wine grape industry, currently own and operate ATS --Ag Tech Services, Inc., work experience in all phases of grape and wine production, education in viticulture and enology, currently releasing own wine Peter Murphy Vineyards, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

• Established Ag Tech Services, Inc. (ATS) in August 1987
• President and CEO of ATS Ag Tech Services, Inc. 1987- PRESENT
• Currently manage 15 vineyards in Napa, Placer, Nevada counties
• Developed 220 acres in Dunnigan for Kohnan, Inc.
• Deliver grapes to Mondavi, Franciscan, Merryvale, Kendall-Jackson, Judds Hill
• Specialize in small premium vineyard estates
• Vineyard Manager for Beckstoffer Vineyards (Napa Valley Vineyard Co.)
• Managed vineyards for Napa Valley Vineyard Company in Carneros, Napa, Rutherford, Angwin 1984-1987
• Directed hand harvest of 4,000 tons in Napa Valley...
• Managed the clearing and development of 100 acres in Angwin for Liparita Vineyards
• Prepared plan, budgets and contracts for management of new and producing vineyards
• Vineyard Manager at Pope Valley Vineyards (now Julianna Vineyards)
• Managed development of 1,000 acres of vineyard 1979-1984
• 1977 -- 1979 farmed and developed vineyards in the Napa Valley...
• 1976 – 1977 Cuvaison Winery cellar worker under winemaker Philip Togni
• 1974 -- 1975 with Buttes Gas and Oil Company cleared land, farmed grains, built reservoirs, developed water rights
• 1973 -- Supervisor -1800 acres vineyard - White River Farms in Delano
• Foreman at Almaden Vineyards in 1971.

WINE EXPERIENCE:

• Wine Judge at California State Fair 1985 to 2008
• Wine Judge at El Dorado County fair 1996 to 2008
• Cellar worker from 1976 -- 1977 worked under winemaker Philip Togni at Cuvaison Winery. Experienced all phases of cellar operation
• Knowledgeable in laboratory analysis of musts and wine
• Degree in Fermentation Science from University of California - Davis

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Fermentation Science graduated from U.C.Davis in March 1973 all viticulture and enology courses
• Adult education classes at Napa College: business, pest control, welding, photography, labor management
• Winelab School for Laboratory Analysis.
• German Wine Academy 1980
• Weed and Herbicide Program (UC Cooperative Extention)

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Professional Member of American Society of Enology and Viticulture since 1975
• Member and Past President of North Coast Chapter of CAPCA
• Mediated with insurance adjuster for Rhone-Poulenc in settlement with owers and attorneys in Zolone induced harvest costs 1988
• Speak fluent Spanish
• Toured French wineries and vineyards
• Toured German wineries and vineyards

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE:

• Coach St Helena Youth Wrestling Club, Assistant coach St. Helena High School
• Committee Member Financial Oversight Committee Measure A Napa Flood Control
• Committee Member Long Term Water Use City of St. Helena

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

• Class A California Driver License
• General Engineering Contractor -- A License # 526380
• Qualified Pesticide Applicator License
• Pest Control Advisor License (all categories)