Our Story
Morlet Family Vineyards is known around the world as an ultra-premium winery. Luc and Jodie Morlet, a dynamic husband and wife team, handcraft vins de terroir and unique cuvées from the Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Over the years, Luc has received international acclaim for his winemaking talents and is one of the rare winemakers to have achieved 100 points across multiple varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Late Harvest Sémillon.
While Luc and Jodie make their home in the Napa Valley, their love story began continents apart…
Wine has always been a way of life for Luc Morlet, who represents the fifth generation of a French winegrowing family in Avenay-Val-d’Or. As a child, he spent his spare time working on his family’s domaine. Following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps, Luc attended École Viticole de Champagne to earn the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) degree in viticulture and œnologie, during which time he interned at the Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (INRA) as well as at Château Père et Fils for the 1989 vintage.
Luc went on to complete both a Diplôme National d’Œnologue (DNO) and Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS) in Œnologie from the Université des Sciences de Reims before receiving an MBA in Wine Business from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon. Luc then served as the Régisseur at Château Dauzac, a classified Margaux growth, where he continued to perfect his skills making Bordeaux-style wines under the guidance of consultant Jacques Boissenot.
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Jodie Morlet (née Hauser) was raised in Sacramento, California. While Luc spent his childhood clearing rocks from vineyards and helping his family in their caves and cellars, Jodie, the daughter of physical education teachers, spent many years dancing and playing on sports teams. Jodie graduated Valedictorian and then headed off to be a Bruin at The University of California, Los Angeles. She served as a Behavioral Therapist for the Young Autism Project, and her research for the Developmental Disabilities Immersion Program identifying at-risk preschool age children was published during her junior year. Jodie taught at UCLA’s prestigious Lab School on the Corinne A. Seeds campus while earning a Master of Education. She later received the Certificat de Langue Français from the University of Paris, Sorbonne.
In the summer of 1994, Luc and Jodie met in Paris, France. Luc showed Jodie the Champagne region by plane and by car, and they instantly became friends. After two years of writing letters back and forth and visiting each other in their respective countries, Luc decided to move to California in 1996 for his sweetheart.
They married the following year and welcomed their son Paul in 1998 and their daughter Claire in 2000.
In 1999, Jodie founded The Morlet Selection, importing the family’s Champagne from France. This company grew to represent Tonnellerie Darnajou (2007-present) and Tonnellerie Gauthier Frères (2008-present).
After five harvests crafting wines alongside international consultant Michel Rolland, Luc served as the full-time winemaker for Peter Michael Winery for the 2001-2005 vintages. In 2006, Luc transitioned to a consulting role at Peter Michael (which he maintains to this day), so that he and Jodie could found Morlet Family Vineyards. Five years later, Jodie retired from teaching to assume the role of General Manager. Over the years, and with no financial partners, they have developed three estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vineyards and refurbished an historic pre-Prohibition winery in St. Helena. In 2024, they opened an office in Bordeaux and look forward to what the future holds.
Morlet Family Vineyards History
