Our Team
Philippe Venghiattis
UC Davis trained Viticulturist, Wine Auctioneer, Winemaker, Fisher, Hunter & Food Connoisseur
Philippe has spent 10+ years of his life as a fine wine auctioneer in New York City, specializing in high-end rare wines around the world. While he loves learning about exquisite wines, unearthing dusty bottles and telling their unique stories to others, Philippe started to miss what is deep in his blood - farming, agriculture and sunshine. In 2012, He moved to California to study Horticulture & Agronomy at UC Davis under Dr. Andy Walker, the legendary geneticist and grape breeder, and began his winemaking career by making 30 wines from the Pierce’s disease resistant varieties.
Since Davis, Philippe has worked for Mumm Napa, Stagecoach Vineyards at Pritchard Hill/Atlas Peak, Pellegrini-Olivet Lane vineyards in Russian River Valley, and WHY Cellars Fairest Creature in St Helena. Philippe also works as a buyer for VinusClub.com and frequently assembles and hosts regional tastings of properly aged wines.
Whatever the subject may be, vineyards & winemaking, Californian or world wines, or Food & Wine Pairing, Philippe brings his expertise and passion for wine to all aspects of life. Growing grapes with organic & sustainable approaches, developing drone imagery applications, exploring and educating the world about underappreciated and undervalued wines and terroirs are Philippe's biggest interests, especially when pairing them with wild game and seasonal treats from the garden.
Philippe is half-French, half-Texan so rather logically feels right at home in Napa Valley
Philippe’s wife Diane is his winemaking mentor. Since they met at UC Davis, they have essentially never stopped talking about wine.
NANA
Vineyard Vertebrate Pest Control Expert,
Reluctant Wine Sniffer,
Relentless Crew Leader,
Rigorous Quality Control,
Indefatigable, inseparable