Van Duzer Vineyards Appoints Jerry Murray as Winemaker

Van Duzer Vineyards announced that it has selected Jerry D. Murray, a highly regarded Willamette Valley winemaker and vineyard manager, to head up the winemaking program at its 82 acre estate vineyards. Currently winemaker for Patton Valley Vineyard in Gaston, Oregon, Murray previously worked for wineries in Germany, New Zealand and Oregon.

At Patton Valley Vineyard since 2005, Murray built a reputation for nuanced Pinot Noir wines of fresh fruit character and refined balance. Recent wine releases have earned respect and 90+ ratings from Wine Spectator (94), The Wine Advocate (90+), Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (92) and Wine & Spirits (94).

After graduating from Ohio University in 1993 with degrees in physiology and biochemistry, Murray briefly taught at the university medical school, then worked as a cook at Fuego in Tucson, Arizona, and Wildwood Restaurant in Portland. Exposure to wine in a restaurant setting led Murray to launch what he calls his "experiential" wine training. In Germany, he worked for Weingut Selbach-Oster. In New Zealand, he interned for Martinborough Vineyard and Highfield Estate. In the Willamette Valley, Murray refined his winemaking skills at Erath Vineyards, Panther Creek and Chehalem before signing on as winemaker and vineyard manager for Patton Valley Vineyard.

In announcing the choice of winemaker, Van Duzer Vineyards proprietor Carl Thoma noted, "Jerry Murray brings to Van Duzer a track record of sound winemaking practices and deep experience in cool-weather winemaking regions. Moreover," he said, "Jerry and Van Duzer share a commitment to sustainability and to a wine style that favors bright fruit and classic balance."

For his part, Murray said that he was excited to tackle a new set of challenges in a 15,000 case winery and to work hand in hand with an experienced sales and marketing team to bring fine wines to market. “I am a big fan of elegant wines that are lower in alcohol levels and that are food friendly,” said Murray. The Van Duzer estate, he noted, is unique in its cool-weather site and diversity of soils, slopes and clonal material. “I see an opportunity to make truly distinctive wines that are elegant, vibrant and expressive of a unique piece of ground.”

Thoma said that Murray will begin his role on June 14 in a smooth transition from the winery's current winemaker, Jim Kakacek. It was previously announced that Kakacek would be departing the winery this summer.

About Van Duzer Vineyards

Van Duzer Vineyards is an Oregon family winery and 100 percent estate vineyard in the Willamette Valley. Its vineyards in the foothills of the Van Duzer Corridor are the first to benefit from maritime breezes each summer evening. The cool microclimate stamps Van Duzer wines with a bright fruit character, generous complexity and pleasing balance. The Thoma family practices sustainable farming on the vineyards and has been endorsed by internationally recognized LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe. For more information, please visit www.vanduzer.com.

Job Function: Winemaking