In episode thirty-six of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Morgaen Hoxsey, fifth-generation proprietor and Sales & Marketing Director for Ghost Block Estate Wines. Morgaen shares her family's impressive Napa Valley heritage, dating back to her great-great-grandfather Joseph Pelissa's arrival from Italy in 1903, and their journey from grape growers to successful vintners. She explores how her family business evolved, including their pioneering move into custom crush operations with Napa Wine Company, and the challenges and innovations that continue to shape their brands today.

Episode Highlights:

• Generations of Grape Growing: Discover how the Pelissa family's farming roots began over 120 years ago in Calistoga, eventually growing into a 1,000-acre estate between Yountville and Oakville.
• From Growers to Vintners: The strategic decision in the 1990s that shifted the family's focus from solely grape growing to launching their own wine brands, including Ghost Block, Oakville Winery, and Elizabeth Rose.
• Napa Wine Company's Legacy: Morgaen discusses how their facility became an incubator for emerging Napa Valley winemakers and played a significant role in the valley's evolving wine landscape.
• Innovating Wine Hospitality: How Ghost Block Estate Wines transformed their Oakville tasting room experience to meet the changing expectations of Napa Valley visitors, emphasizing luxury and intimacy.
• Looking Ahead: Morgaen shares insights on industry trends, particularly the importance of packaging sustainability, maintaining approachable price points, and strategically evolving their wine portfolio for the future.

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