Donn Chappellet was born in 1931 in Los Angeles and graduated from Pomona College in 1954 with a degree in economics. He began collecting Bordeaux wines while in college, but until he was in his 30s wine remained a hobby. He devoted most of his time to Interstate United Corporation, a coffee-vending distributorship he co-founded in the mid-1950s, which he helped turn into the third-largest such business in the United States, with more than 7,000 employees and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1966 he sold his shares in Interstate United and guided by the legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyards bought 320 acres of rocky mountain terrain at the eastern edge of the Napa Valley. One of the first of a new wave of vintners to arrive in the Valley during the late ’60s, Donn’s vision was to create world-class wines that mirrored the great first-growth Bordeaux he had long collected.
Donn believed that the volcanic soil and warm, dry temperatures of Pritchard Hill contributed strength and character the essence of a great wine. The intensity of fruit grown on Pritchard Hill proved his intuition about the potential of the land was right. The wines from the family’s Pritchard Hill vineyard, initially Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, achieved rapid acclaim and a strong following among restauranteurs, collectors and critics.
Donn’s soft voice belied his inner conviction that Chappellet and its Pritchard Hill vineyard had extraordinary potential, an asset to be stewarded and enjoyed by generations of family for years to come. Until his passing in 2016, Donn continued to find great joy in guiding his children as they continue his legacy, making extraordinary wines that express the unique essence of the family’s Pritchard Hill vineyard.
Renowned landscape artist and James Beard award-winning author, Molly Chappellet reads patterns in the land, seeing structure and forms within to create unexpected beauty in the cradle of her family’s mountain vineyard. Throughout Pritchard Hill she has massaged the land into site-specific art that is reverent of the agricultural process and pays homage to the expansive natural landscape of Pritchard Hill.
Born and raised in Beverly Hills, Molly studied art at UCLA and Scripps College. When she moved to Pritchard Hill, her training in art was challenged by bigger canvases and three dimensional opportunities. With acres of land to mold and clients to entertain, she has made her garden her artistic pallet. Her work in sculpting the land and painting with flowers, trees and shrubs has earned Molly’s spectacular garden acclaim as one of the most unusual gardens in the area. As an entertainer, she has been hostess to such guests as Julia Child, Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Clint Eastwood, Martha Stewart, and Craig Claiborne.
Molly is the author of three books: A Vineyard Garden, the James Beard Award winning book that discusses her ideas from the earth for entertaining, gardening and life; The Romance of California Vineyards, authored with her daughter Carissa, and, Gardens of the Wine Country, co-authored with Richard Tracy. When she is not tending to her garden, Molly speaks about design and gardening and hosts winemaker dinners around the country. She has appeared on The Regis and Kathy Lee Show, The Home Show and Martha Stewart Living. Her list of credits also includes writing articles for national magazines and daily newspapers.
Molly and Donn have accomplished what they set out to do, not only to make award winning wines, but to live a simpler life. As she explains “A country environment has made me realize how essential it is in this age of computerized mechanization to reestablish our connection with the earth. To bring harmony and rhythm into our lives.”
Moving to Pritchard Hill when he was 10 years old, Cyril Chappellet has witnessed the transformation of the Napa Valley into one of the world’s great winegrowing regions. The eldest son of Molly and Donn Chappellet, Cyril grew up working in the vineyard and winery. At 18, Donn and Molly encouraged Cyril to make his own career choices and to explore life away from the family business.
After studying farm management at Cal Poly and completing his business education at Pepperdine University, Cyril began a career in corporate planning and acquisitions. In 1988, after nearly a decade of honing his business skills, Cyril returned to Pritchard Hill to join the Chappellet team. “The finest wineries around the world reflect a commitment that goes beyond one generation,” says Cyril. “At Chappellet, this ongoing commitment is key to our continued ability to make extraordinary wines. It has also elevated Pritchard Hill as one of the world’s finest locations for producing ultra-premium wine.”
Prior to being named chairman of the board, Cyril spent many years as the winery’s managing director. In this role, he was instrumental in guiding the day-to-day workings of the winery, overseeing sales and marketing efforts and working with his parents and siblings to ensure the ongoing vitality of the business. During his tenure as managing director, Chappellet was recognized for making some of the finest wines in its storied history, and Pritchard Hill catapulted to center stage as California’s premier location for mountain-grown Bordeaux varietals, most notably, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cyril was elected chairman of the winery’s family-run board of directors in 2012, becoming the only person other than his late-father, Donn, to hold this position in the history of Chappellet. Today, Cyril is actively involved in every aspect of the winery’s operations and works closely with his family to ensure the continued success of Chappellet.
As the youngest son of Donn and Molly Chappellet, Dominic was born a year after the founding of Chappellet Vineyard & Winery. Dominic grew up exploring Pritchard Hill and has spent time working in the vineyard and as a cellar assistant during crush. He has also participated in many blending trials over the years which, along with early exposure to wines at the dinner table growing up, has helped him to develop a keen palate and a strong understanding of the family business.
Currently working at Chappellet Winery, Dominic Chappellet has spent the last several years in the Napa Valley living on Pritchard Hill with his Family. Daily operations management and marketing fill most days but he spends time representing Chappellet on the road as well with his wife Amy. Dominic can also be found giving tours at the winery and documenting life on Pritchard Hill through his photography. His activities outside the business focus on playing an active roll in the lives of his four children.
Carissa graduated from Monterey College of Law and went on to refine her skills specifically in mediation. It is those skills and training she brought back to the family business when she took on the role of Director of Legal Affairs.
Carissa works alongside her mother, Molly and two of her brothers, Cyril and Dominic, to run the day-to-day operations of Chappellet Winery and Vineyard. Together they are committed to the long-term sustainability of their iconic winery. Carissa also mentors those in generation three who express interest in learning about the family business.
Her Dragon Labels featured on Chappellet’s Malbec have gained her a fervent following. Each year club members look forward to discovering a new Dragon of Pritchard Hill. Her dragon paintings are on display at the winery.
Carissa is the author of three books: The Romance of California Vineyards, portrays a visual tour of the wine country, The Dragons of Pritchard Hill, is a fanciful history of the Napa Valley through the eyes of her dragons, and Poetic Moon, features her poetry inspired by her life in Big Sur and the Napa Valley. Her photography has been published in A Vineyard Garden, Gardens of the Wine Country, and Longhouse.
Carissa also chairs the Chappellet Board of Director’s Environmental Committee. The purpose of this committee is to keep the environment at the forefront of Chappellet’s awareness. The committee brainstorms on ideas to help the company be better stewards of the land. The committee takes a broad look at creating and maintaining a healthy environment in the vineyards, workspaces, open spaces, staff, family, and community.
When not working on behalf of Chappellet, Carissa explores her many areas of interest and expertise, which include a passion for bluegrass music, playing the mandolin and banjo, hiking, gardening, photography, cooking, bodysurfing, and cycling. Speaking of cycling, she spent all of 2000 cycling around the world, pedaling over 15,000 miles and visiting 45 countries. Of her many loves, overshadowing all is her love for her Vizsla, Tuk.
Like all of Donn and Molly Chappellet’s children, Alexa grew up playing in the vineyards of Pritchard Hill, picking grapes during harvest and spending time in the winery absorbing the alchemy of winemaking. The first of the family’s second generation to officially work for the winery, Alexa began her career at Chappellet as a cellar hand in 1981. In this capacity, she worked with winemakers Tony Soter, Cathy Corison and then assistant winemaker, Phillip Corallo-Titus. Learning from this trio of acclaimed winemakers, Alexa established a comprehensive knowledge of the Chappellet portfolio.
She continues to be actively involved in Chappellet as a member of the family-run board of directors, contributing her strong voice and valuable insights to all major decisions. “Chappellet is an important part of my identity,” says Alexa. “I am proud of what we have accomplished, and what our name has come to stand for in the wine world.”
Alexa lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, J.P. Flagler, and their three children, Aubrey (analyst at Touchdown Ventures), Brooke (senior at Williams College in Massachusetts) and Zachary (sophomore at University of Washington, member of Alpha Delta Phi).
Alexa is an avid tennis player and often can been seen riding in the Santa Monica Mountains on her one of her Friesian horses (Indigo, Teade or Cabernet).
Lygia Chappellet moved to Pritchard Hill with her parents when she was 14 years old. Lygia remembers driving up the mountain for the first time with her family: “My father turned to us and said, ‘The only way this will work, is if we work it together.’ I took those words very literally.” Throughout her teen years, Lygia helped at the winery doing a variety of tasks including picking grapes, bottling wine and labeling. As she explored the rugged mountain property and the nooks and crannies of the vineyard, Lygia began to develop a deep appreciation for nature and agriculture – an appreciation that would help to shape her life, and her future work as an artist.
Studying at Lewis & Clark College, Lygia focused on biology and literature. She then continued in enology, viticulture, languages and liberal arts at the University of California, Davis. Lygia graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art from the California College of Arts and Crafts. As an artist, she decided to make her home in Big Sur, where she lives with her husband Carlos Volpini on a family ranch that abuts the Ventana Wilderness, and hosts a herd of milking goats, sheep, cows and horses.
In addition to rearing her three children and working the ranch, Lygia has also established herself as a respected artist; exploring her talent in and array of mediums including oil, silk, watercolor, pastel and sculpture. She strives to portray the power and grace of animals in a manner that elevates their standing in society and encourages their preservation. Lygia’s art resides in collections in both the United States and Europe. It is currently being show in galleries in St. Helena and Big Sur. Her images have also graced the labels of several Chappellet wines, and has been featured on several of the winery’s Artist Series wines.
As a board member, Lygia brings her passion for sustainable agriculture, as well as her design background to the winery. Her goal is the ecological balance between wild lands and farm land, both on Pritchard Hill and the entire Napa Valley.
Lygia believes there are benefits of multiple ages working together in a family business. “I see achieving the full potential of our family’s winery as the work of generations with generations.” In keeping with this sentiment, Lygia and Carlos’s children are beginning to participate in the winery. Their eldest daughter, Sequoia, has interned at the winery in a variety of capacities; she has worked in the sales and marketing department, as well as pruned in the vineyard. Their second daughter Lukie, and their son London, help to organize and lead family meetings. Sequoia, Lukie and London represent part of an inspiring and promising third generation of Chappellet family, poised to make their mark on the winery in years to come.
As Chappellet’s winemaker for over three decades, Phillip Corallo-Titus has guided the family’s storied winemaking program, building on Chappellet’s legacy as one of California’s preeminent producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. A gifted winemaker with a passion for experimentation, Phillip has embraced the diversity of Pritchard Hill to craft benchmark wines that authentically express the terroir inspired complexity and character of their mountain origins.
Phillip discovered his passion for viticulture and wine at the age of 12 when he began helping his father in the family vineyard. This early exposure to working the vines was complemented at the dinner table, where Phillip’s father would pour French wines from his cellar. Building on this foundation, Phillip studied agronomy, viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis. A dedicated student of wine, Phillip also traveled to France to learn about the great wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
In 1981, Phillip joined the Chappellet team as assistant winemaker, where he spent four years honing his craft and learning about the estate vineyards before pursuing winemaking opportunities at Stratford and Cartlidge & Brown wineries. In 1990, Donn Chappellet invited Phillip to return to the winery as Chappellet’s winemaker, a position he has held ever since.
Working side-by-side with longtime vineyard manager Dave Pirio, Phillip’s approach to winemaking begins in the vineyard. From his focus on harvesting at ideal ripeness to his emphasis on maintaining the integrity of Chappellet’s numerous vineyard blocks throughout the fermentation and aging process, Phillip strives to make wines that reflect both the vineyard and the vintage.
For over 15 years, Ry Richards has been refining his craft as a winemaker, while contributing to the creation of some of the world’s greatest wines. Working alongside our long-time winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, Ry manages the day-to-day operations of our acclaimed winemaking team, guiding fermentations, pump-overs, laboratory analysis and a myriad of other details that define great winemaking. Combining the meticulous approach of a scientist with an artist’s soul, Ry has found his ideal winemaking home on Pritchard Hill.
Raised in the Bay Area, Ry was first exposed to agriculture during visits to his grandfather’s avocado and citrus ranch in Ojai, California. While working at a wine shop during high school, Ry fell in love with wine when he was given the opportunity to taste an array of bottlings (though he had to spit everything into the wine bucket). After high school, Ry attended UCLA with plans to go to med school, until he worked a winery internship alongside our Winemaker Phillip Titus—an experience that solidified his desire to become a winemaker. “Phillip opened a door for me that changed the course of my life. I discovered that I loved the energy, environment and collaborative spirit of making wine.”
Ry joined our cellar team in 2006, where he emerged as a gifted winemaker rising through the ranks from enologist and assistant winemaker to his current role as associate winemaker. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn my craft from a master, and to do so at a place with such pedigree and history. Chappellet is my home. It has allowed me to grow and evolve as a winemaker. It’s an inspiring environment where we all feel that we are contributing to something profound and enduring.”
Ry lives in wine country with his three sons.
Andrew Opatz may have been destined to grow winegrapes on Pritchard Hill. Andrew’s grandfather owned vineyards in both Napa Valley and Dry Creek Valley, and as the nephew of our own acclaimed vineyard manager, Dave Pirio, Andrew often visited his uncle at Chappellet as a child. Today, after 15 years honing his craft on Pritchard Hill, Andrew is continuing his family’s legacy of winegrowing excellence as Chappellet’s associate vineyard manager. Andrew oversees our full-time, in-house vineyard crew, guides all day-to-day farming operations, manages our organic certification program, and works closely with our grower partners to help cultivate some of the world’s finest winegrapes.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Andrew grew up visiting his grandfather’s vineyard, where he learned to appreciate the cycles of the seasons and the dedication required to grow grapes. Though Andrew earned a degree in kinesiology from Sonoma State University, internships at Chappellet and GeoVit Vineyard Services during college kindled Andrew’s love of farming and inspired him to take numerous classes in viticulture. After graduation, Andrew joined Chappellet full-time in 2008, and has been an integral part of our team ever since.
“Dave has been my mentor, and his knowledge has been priceless,” say Andrew. “He has taught me that it isn’t about reaching that high bar—our job is to constantly raise the bar even higher. I grew up playing baseball, and I view every vintage as the start of a new season. My job is to grow, adapt, learn new techniques and try new things so that I can be the best vineyard manager I can be, and so that Chappellet can continue to build on our legacy of cultivating some of the most extraordinary grapes in the world.”
Andrew lives in Rutherford, with his wife, Jenni, who also works on the vineyard side of the wine industry. In addition to his role at Chappellet, Andrew is a member of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group and helps to represent Chappellet as a member of the Napa Valley Vintners.
David oversees every facet of operations at Chappellet Vineyard while working alongside three generations of the Chappellet family to steward the future of their famed Pritchard Hill Estate. After more than 30 years contributing his talents to such companies as Robert Mondavi, Purple Wine + Spirits, Young’s Market Company, and Folio Fine Wine Partners, David joined the consulting firm, the Shirlaws Group, where he helped owners transform their businesses so that they can enjoy their life’s work. This gave him opportunities to work across different industries while continuing to refine his own leadership skills. David is an innovative and experienced executive and a lifetime learner who embraces new challenges and change. At Chappellet, David is helping the family to build on the foundation that has been established over the last fifty years, as they develop and implement strategic plans for the next half–century.
As an entrepreneur, private investor and a trusted strategic counsellor, Tony Tjan has become
known for his human-centric and multidisciplinary approach to identifying disruptive trends and building purpose-driven and durable value.
He is the Managing Partner of Cue Ball Group a Boston-based firm investing in and transforming early growth businesses into long-term durable companies, and currently most focused on his role as Chairman and CEO of MiniLuxe (one of Cue Ball’s founding investments). MiniLuxe is a leading lifestyle consumer brand positively disrupting the $45B nail care and personal self-care industry through cleaner hygiene standards, safer products and a data-driven and predictive booking platform for beauty professionals.
Tjan founded ZEFER, a pioneering multi-disciplinary Internet advisory and development firm that grew to $100M before merging with NEC. Following, ZEFER, Tjan served as senior strategic advisor to Dick Harrington, CEO at the time of the family-controlled Thomson Corporation. Together, Tjan and Harrington catalyzed one of the largest information media transformations, developing the strategy that ultimately resulted in Thomson Reuters. Tjan was also a Senior Partner and Vice Chairman of The Parthenon Group (now EY Parthenon) and started his career at McKinsey & Company. He’s been named one of the Top 10 consultants in the country.
He’s a multipe-time TED speaker and written extensively on business strategy and leadership with over 125 articles for the Harvard Business Review and is the author of Good People and co-author of the New York Times Bestseller, Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck that was also named one of Fast Company’s “Best Business Books” of the year. He has served and serves on multiple boards, including TB12 (Tom Brady’s organization), the Tory Burch Foundation, the Athena Club, the family-owned winery and vineyard, Chappellet, and the advisory board for Mass General Hospital’s McCance Center for Brain Health. In 2018, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his contributions that pay homage to his ethnic heritage and American ideals for immigrants and entrepreneurship. Tjan holds an AB in biology from Harvard College, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and was a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and an Advisory Council Member of the MIT Media Lab.
For over 60 years, Jack Daniels has been involved in all facets of the wine and spirit industry, including sales, marketing, production, importing, and distribution, having commenced his career with an international wine and spirit sales and marketing company in 1964.
In 1972, Jack met Donn Chappellet, and that meeting led to Jack becoming the first National Sales Manager for Chappellet Winery and Vineyards in 1976, and in 2018 invited to become a member of the Board of Directors and remains a director today.
In 1978, Daniels co-founded Wilson Daniels, a company that has maintained one of the world’s most selective fine wine and spirits portfolios based on a family-driven philosophy and treasuring relationships with a strategic mix of luxury wine and spirit producers who set the tone for their products around the world. Among those relationships, perhaps the most relevant is the one established with Domaine de la Romanee Conti, for which Wilson Daniels has been the exclusive U.S. importer for 47 years.
As an active participant in his community, Jack has served as a member of the St. Helena City Council, the Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation Board, and has been a speaker and panel member for many wine industry marketing and sales forums, both nationally and internationally. Jack’s professional achievements include being recognized as one of the 10 most influential people in the wine business by Robb Report. He was awarded the prestigious Order du Merite Agricole by the French government for his contributions to French agriculture in the U.S. He is also a member of La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Confreire de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, L’Ordre de Coteaux de Champagne, and Chevalier de la Confreire de Tokaji.
As the chief financial officer, Christine Ha is responsible for the short-term financial success of Chappellet’s storied estate and ensuring its legacy for generations to come. A San Francisco Bay Area native, she earned her degree from UCLA and began her career as a certified public accountant at KPMG in San Francisco.
Christine moved to Napa in 2010 and became the controller for a wine and art collective in Yountville before joining one of the largest global vineyard asset management firms in 2012. Over eight years, she rose to senior vice president of finance, managing more than 20,000 vineyard acres globally for institutional investors. In 2020, she joined Chappellet Winery as its CFO.
“Beyond Chappellet’s incredible reputation, I was drawn to the family’s deep commitment to community, philanthropy, and sustainability. Their long-tenured team speaks to the strength of their culture, and I immediately connected with their values.”
Christine is active in the Napa Valley wine community, serving on the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Finance Committee, Wine Women Finance Forum, and the Wine Industry Financial Symposium Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Napa Valley Vintners Grants Review Committee, supporting non-profit initiatives that enhance the well-being of the Napa Valley community.
Christine lives in Napa with her husband, who also works in the wine industry, and their two daughters. She enjoys traveling to exotic places, learning about different cultures, and spending time with her family.
At Chappellet, Brennan leads the creation and execution of our marketing and communications. An experienced marketing professional with two-decades of experience in the luxury wine industry, Brennan also works closely with President David Francke and the Chappellet family on strategic plans to ensure the long-term success of Chappellet.
Raised in Napa Valley, Brennan earned a BA in business economics from UC Santa Barbara and an MBA from the Babcock School of Management at Wake Forest University. In addition, Brennan is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators. After beginning his career at the advertising agency of Evans, Hardy + Young, Brennan followed his passion for fine wine to Terlato Wines, where he was an associate marketing manager. In 2007, he returned to Napa Valley to join Folio Fine Wine Partners as marketing manager, where he worked with David Francke and was responsible for luxury brands that included Ornellaia, Masseto and Bruno Giacosa. Promoted to VP of marketing in 2014, Brennan spent the next eight years guiding Folio’s marketing and strategic planning, while developing a portfolio featuring more than 40 brands and over 400 wines. In 2023, eager to utilize his skills on behalf of an iconic Napa winery, Brennan joined Chappellet as our vice president of marketing.
“Working at a Napa Valley winery of Chappellet’s stature has been a lifelong goal,” says Brennan. “What the Chappellet family has created on Pritchard Hill since 1967, and their focus on mountain-grown wines has influenced generations of vintners. At the same time, even after everything they have achieved—whether in the areas of wine quality, community service, or sustainability—they continually find new ways to lead and raise the bar.”
Brennan lives in Napa Valley with his wife and two young daughters.
Steve McAdams is the Human Resource Director at Chappellet Winery, where he combines his passion for people and organizational excellence to foster a thriving and dynamic workplace. With a rich background in restaurant management, Steve honed his leadership skills and developed a keen understanding of the importance of building strong, cohesive teams—an experience that translates seamlessly into his current role.
A true believer in the power of a well-balanced life, Steve is equally passionate about music and fitness. Whether he’s strumming his guitar, attending live concerts, or exploring new workout routines, he brings the same energy and dedication to his personal interests as he does to his professional endeavors. His love of connecting with others and his commitment to continuous growth make him an integral part of Chappellet Winery’s success story.
Brandy Murphy is originally from Los Angeles and moved to Napa in 2014. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Psychology, with a background in education and health. In 2015, she started her hospitality career at Chappellet as a Concierge, eventually moving her way up through the DTC Department to become the Director of Client Services. She is passionate about team growth and building a strong DTC business through brand elevation and client engagement.
Matthew McIntyre is the Membership and Allocation Manager at Chappellet, where he oversees the winery’s wine club and allocation memberships. With 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings a deep understanding of luxury service, fine dining, and wine appreciation to his role.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Matthew earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on Advanced Wines and Beverage Management. Before graduating, he achieved his Level II Certified Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, further deepening his expertise in wine evaluation and service.
His passion for wine led him to Napa Valley, where he began his career with the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, honing his expertise in world-class hospitality before joining Chappellet in 2016. From hosting guests and planning exclusive events to curating exceptional experiences for members, Matthew has played a key role in sharing the legacy of Chappellet’s renowned Pritchard Hill vineyard. His dedication to building lasting relationships and delivering unparalleled service continues to enhance the Chappellet experience for collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.
Haleigh has been in the wine industry since 2016 and started at Chappellet in the summer of 2023. Her background includes an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University. She finds joy in bringing events to life that reflect the history, spirit, and excellence of Chappellet.
Peter has been with Chappellet since February 2020. Prior to joining the company, Peter moved to the Napa Valley from Los Angeles for a winemaking internship at Cakebread Cellars in 2019. As an integral part of the Chappellet Direct to Consumer team, Peter began as an Ambassador, then Lead Ambassador, and now manages private client relations, both across the country and at the winery. Peter values making meaningful connections with his clients and potential new prospects, all while sharing a delicious bottle of Chappellet wine, preferably the Cabernet Franc.
