Presqu'ile
Presqu’ile (press-KEEL) means “almost an island”—not quite remote, just far enough to shift your perspective. That feeling of being set apart, of slowing down and paying attention, is what drew the Murphy family to the ridgeline in Santa Maria Valley in 2007. They weren’t looking to chase trends or build scale—they were looking for a site that demanded intention.
Set between ocean and valley, just 16 miles from the Pacific, Presqu’ile is defined by its long growing season, ocean breezes, and sandy soils. It’s a place where nuance speaks louder than volume. The Murphy family—longtime farmers from Louisiana—found in this place the right conditions to create something lasting. They built a winery that could reflect the land with clarity and care: from the way the vineyard was planted to the way each wine is made.
Today, Presqu’ile produces cool-climate wines that feel deeply of place. They're not wines that demand to be explained—they're wines that invite being opened, shared, and returned to again and again. Wines made to live with.
Philosophy
At Presqu’ile, restraint isn’t a style—it’s a value. We believe in building wines through thoughtful decisions made in the vineyard, and minimal intervention in the cellar. Farming is sustainable, precise, and tailored to each block: we work with multiple clones across a 73-acre estate designed for nuance, not uniformity. Our vineyard practices emphasize balance—low-input, detail-oriented, and focused on maintaining natural acidity and energy.
In the cellar, we favor native yeast fermentations, gravity flow, and small-lot vinification to preserve the integrity of each site and clone. Whole-cluster inclusion is used as a tool—not a rule—to build aromatic lift and structural finesse, especially in Pinot Noir. White wines are aged sur lie in stainless steel, concrete, and neutral French oak to retain tension and create layered texture.
We’re not here to impose a house style. Our job is to stay out of the way and let the vineyard and the vintage speak for themselves—with clarity, elegance, and quiet confidence.
Biography
Presqu’ile is led by second-generation vintner Matt Murphy, who helped found the winery alongside his family in 2007. With early experience in both Napa and Santa Maria Valley cellars, Matt brings a rare blend of business acumen and vineyard sensitivity to the project. He designed the estate vineyard as a complex mosaic of clones, elevations, and exposures—reflecting his belief that great wines begin with precise, intentional farming.
Winemaker Dieter Cronje has been with Presqu’ile since the beginning. His approach is grounded in a quiet confidence: native ferments, small lots, careful timing, and minimal new oak. With Dieter at the helm, the winery has become known for wines of restraint, purity, and balance.
Consulting winemaker Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac brings a Burgundian lens to the team, advising on blending and style. His involvement reinforces the commitment to structure, site expression, and longevity. Together, Matt, Dieter, and Jeremy share a vision: to make wines that reflect the land with honesty, elegance, and purpose.
Wines from Presqu'ile
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