During his career as an IT guy with a life insurance company, Doug returned to college to pursue his passion in winemaking. Upon graduation, his target area to start his winemaking career was Santa Barbara County and what he considers the Rhone Valley of California. He landed an assistant winemaker position at Central Coast Wine Services in Santa Maria where he learned the foundations of his craft under winemakers such as Lane Tanner, Craig Jaffurs and Joe Davis.
Doug’s first winemaker position came when Chris Curran recommended him for the position she was vacating at Koehler Winery. Doug had three successful years there producing award winning wines and putting Koehler on the Foxen Wine Trail map.
From here Doug tried ‘corporate’ winemaking at Cambria Winery but felt he lost touch with the hands-on winemaking he had a passion for. Now, with Margerum Wine Company, Doug has the opportunity to work with Doug Margerum whom he feels has a keen palate and sense for winemaking. With his scientific background and broad experience with multiple winemakers’ ideas, Doug feels at home with the Margerum family winemaking team.