A famed name within the world of fine winemaking, Morlet Family Vineyards holds a strong legacy of graceful wines, top-of-class vineyards, and incredible staying power that does not look to slow down anytime soon. Owned by spouses Luc and Jodie Morlet, the pair formed the estate in 2006 in the illustrious St. Helena, settled in the heart of Napa Valley. With multiple vineyards overlooking Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley, the resulting vintages are filled with refined flavors and complex personalities distinct to the Morlet vineyard name. Beloved by famed critic, Robert Parker, and featured in White House State Dinners, every Morlet wine offers prestige and power.
Humble Beginnings in Champagne
Born in France to a fifth-generation winegrower family, Luc Morlet was immersed in fine wine from birth, seemingly destined to become a historic winemaker. He learned about the intricacies of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on his family's estate in Champagne and opted to pursue winemaking as a career. Originally studying Viticulture at Ecole Viticole de Champagne, Luc went on to gain an MBA in Enology from Université des Sciences de Reims and in Wine Business from the Burgundy School of Business.
Furthering his education, Luc interned at Maison Chanson Père et Fils in Beaune and the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in Bordeaux. However, his most prized education came under his assistant winemaking experience with the legendary wine consultant Jacque Boissenot. Here, he gained a deep appreciation for Old World principles and Bordeaux-styled offerings- this appreciation would then lead him to heights he never would have dreamed of.
Relocation to Napa Valley
In a shocking move, Morlet opted to move to California to live with sweetheart, and future wife, Jodie. Once in California, Morlet's winemaking career flourished, with the winemaker joining forces with Peter Michaels. As head winemaker, Morlet crafted beautiful wines for the estate, leading the charge to become one of Napa's most coveted brands. While content with creating wines for others, Luc and Jodie decided it was in their best interest to create an estate. And thus, Morlet Family Vineyards was born.
The Perfect Site for Perfect Wine
Situated on the western slopes of St. Helena, the couple operates their 'Mon Chevalier' vineyard in Napa Valley. The vineyard's terroir provides the perfect atmosphere for growing red Bordeaux varietals, of which Morlet specializes. Warm and windy climates mix well with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec vines, which are planted at an elevation of 500-600 feet. Additionally, the estate utilizes meticulous farming methods and low-intervention winemaking as part of its 'Old World' philosophy. Each wine is matured in the finest 100% French oak barrels, while a limited amount of wine is produced, showing a commitment to quality blends and small yields.
An additional vineyard, Coeur de Vallee, sits in the distinguished Oakville appellation. The couple used most of the profit made at Morlet Family Vineyards to purchase the property in 2015 and plant mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a third of the 24-acre site belonging to Cabernet Franc. The clay-loam soil works beautifully for growing Cabernet blends, which is of the utmost importance to Luc.
More Love for the Morlet Family Vineyard
Morlet vintages consistently receive scores in the high 90s from the world's most reputable critics, including Robert Parker, James Suckling, and Jeb Dunnuck. In recent years, the brand's Passionement has received multiple 100-point scores, notably the 2016 and 2018 vintages. Translated to "passionately" in English, the wine is Luc's love letter to wife, Jodie. The passion and love can be tasted in the wine's luscious tannins and intense bouquet of red, black and blue berries.
“Morlet, who hails from the Champagne region of France, is on a hot streak in terms of the quality of the exquisite wines he’s producing/ This is an extraordinary lineup of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and possibly the finest 100% Cabernet Franc ever made in California, his Force de la Nature.”
– Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate