Wine Portfolio

Stephen Cruzan

Winemaker, Titus Vineyards

Stephen Cruzan joined Titus Vineyards as Winemaker in August 2015. A career in winemaking wasn't always in the plans for him, having graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Biochemistry in 2004 and planning on a life in research. While working at a restaurant in North Carolina in 2005, a chance meeting with a Winemaker from Sonoma resulted in a light bulb moment that led him to the Napa Valley - winemaking was the perfect opportunity to couple a life-long appreciation of fine wine and the technical sciences of his degree.

Stephen got his start at Kathyrn Hall Vineyards in St. Helena as a Lab Intern for the 2006 harvest, staying on to run the lab for the following year. 2008 saw him traveling the world, working harvests in New Zealand, Burgundy and Germany's Mosel River Valley. In 2009, he joined the team at Chappellet Winery under Phillip Titus. Working closely with Phillip, Stephen moved up the ladder from Cellar Hand to Enologist and had the chance to meet Phillip's brother Eric Titus as well. He joined the Titus Team directly from Cade Winery on Howell Mountain where, as the Assistant Winemaker, he spent three vintages crafting elegant and rich Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

With the advent of a new winery for Titus Vineyards in 2015, the Titus brothers reached out to Stephen to take the reins on their new facility. He's excited to have the chance to work with Phillip and Eric once again, and to craft modern, balanced wines off of the family's estate vineyards.

Country born: USA

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Eric Titus

Winemaker, Titus Vineyards

I have participated in the family business of growing grapes since 1969 and then created the Titus label in 1990. I did an internship with Jac Cole, at Charles Krug to hone my skills. My brother, Phillip, and I have been making our own labeled wine for 20 years.

Country born: United States

Education: PHD in Biology. I have a broad background in science and viticulture

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Vineyard focus and minimal winemaking intervention. We try to maximize the right grape varieties for our microclimate, soil and growing conditions.

Phillip Titus

Winemaker, Titus Vineyards

From the age of 12, Phillip worked alongside the family in the vineyards. Phillip's taste for fine wine was developed at the dinner table as Lee shared Bordeaux, California Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from the cellar. Phillip's studies at UC Davis began in agronomy, progressed to viticulture and ultimately to enology. In 1979, Phillip worked harvest for his future in-laws at Quail Ridge. Through the 1980's he worked at Chappellet and Stratford, Cartlidge and Brown, returning to Chappellet in 1990 to take the position of Winemaker. This new position allowed Phillip to realize the family dream of producing wines. In that same year Phillip began making Titus Vineyards wine from their family estate at the Chappellet winery on Pritchard Hill in St. Helena.

Country born: United States

Education: Received an Enology degree from UC Davis

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Phillip's goal is to create wines that reflect the family's personal sense of taste and style - full bodied, well balanced reds. By blending complementary varietals possessed of fully mature flavors the resulting wines are distinctive and balanced, fusing the classic varietal characteristics with the vineyard location.