Morlet

Luc and Jodie Morlet

The story of the Morlet Family Vineyards is the perfect blend of old-world winemaking in new world conditions. Wine has always been a way of life for Luc Morlet. Born in Epernay, France to a fifth-generation winegrower family, Luc grew up working on his family’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay domaine, Pierre Morlet & Fils, in Avenay-Val-d’Or, Champagne. As a child, he enjoyed learning about the practical and technical aspects of vineyard farming and winemaking. A Masters graduate of Œnology from Université des Sciences de Reims, Luc also holds a Viticulture degree from Ecole Viticole de Champagne, as well as an MBA in Wine Business from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Dijon, Burgundy. His professional experience began with a variety of internships in Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Sud-Ouest of France. Prior to moving to California and making the wines for Peter Michael Winery, Luc was the Régisseur at Château Dauzac, a classified Margaux growth.

In 2006, Luc and his wife Jodie began crafting vins de terroirs and unique cuvées from the Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast under the Morlet Family Vineyards label. In 2010, the couple restored a pre-Prohibition winery located in St. Helena as their family’s winery. The ‘Morlet Estate’ hillside vineyard surrounds the historic building. The couple’s ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard is located in the To Kalon Creek alluvial fan on the world-renowned Oakville Bench.

With 30 vintages under his belt, and with his own zest for innovation, Luc uses classic principles from Burgundy and Bordeaux and adapts them to California’s natural conditions. Meticulously farmed vineyards and low-intervention winemaking techniques produce powerful yet refined wines, displaying personality, complexity and graceful aging capability. Luc’s unwavering commitment to quality leads to small yields, attentive sorting, and the highest standard when blending. Thus, a very limited amount of each wine is ever produced.