Wine Portfolio

Jeff Morgan

Winemaker, Peter Paul Wines

I believe I'm the only commercial winemaker who's also a professional wine (and food) writer. I started out as a cellar rat in New York's Long Island in 1988. In 1992, I began a 7-year stint with Wine Spectator, finishing as West Coast Editor. Moved to Napa in October 1999. Co-founded the only New World winery dedicated to rose (SoloRosa) in 2001; co-founded Covenant Winery (with Napa vintner Leslie Rudd) in 2003. And now make wine for several other wineries, including Peter Paul, under the aegis of M Square Wine Consultants, owned and operated with winemaker Daniel Moore.

Still writing, too. Since 2001, I've written seven cookbooks including: Dean & Deluca, PlumpJack and Domaine Chandon along with continuing journalistic pursuits for such publications as The Wall Street Journal and Wines & Vines. I also teach at the CIA's Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies in my spare time.

Country born: United States

Education: Degrees in music: French National Conservatory, Nice; Wesleyan University, in CT; (Dubious claim to fame: I used to be the bandleader at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. That's where I learned to love good wine and food.)

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
As many of my mentors would say: "Less is more." Typically, I ferment with native yeast and bottle unfined/unfiltered. Great grapes make great wines. Great winemakers try not to screw it up!