NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Napa Wine Company and Ghost Block Estate Wines have appointed Priyanka Dhar French as director of winemaking and winemaker, respectively, marking a significant leadership addition to the two Napa Valley-based ventures.
The announcement, made May 15 by managing partner Andrew Hoxsey, highlights French’s extensive technical background and experience in luxury winemaking. Hoxsey emphasized that her “deep technical expertise, luxury winemaking experience, and a visionary mindset” are essential to the ongoing growth and innovation of both Napa Wine Company and Ghost Block.
French most recently served as winemaker at Signorello Estate, where she played a pivotal role in the winery’s resurgence following the 2017 Atlas Fire. During her tenure, she oversaw the development of a new 20,000-square-foot winery and 18,000-square-foot wine caves, all while refining the estate’s core wine offerings. The new facilities at the 100-acre estate officially reopened in June 2024. Signorello’s winemaking is now led by Michael Costley.
Born and raised in Mumbai, French discovered her passion for winemaking during a college visit to Sula Vineyards, an experience she later described as “love at first sight.” That formative moment led her to pursue a master’s degree in viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis. Her career includes harvest stints in Bordeaux, New Zealand, and Napa Valley, followed by key roles at prestigious wineries such as Dalla Valle Vineyards and Stags’ Leap Winery.
In her new dual role, French will oversee winemaking and production operations at Napa Wine Company — one of the region’s earliest custom-crush facilities — and spearhead winemaking at Ghost Block Estate Wines, focusing on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc sourced from estate vineyards in Oakville and Yountville.
“It’s an honor to join Napa Wine Company, which has served as an incubator for iconic Napa brands like Pahlmeyer, Schrader, and Pine Ridge,” French stated in the official release. “I look forward to helping shape the future of Napa winemaking for the next generation.”
In addition to her professional achievements, French is recognized for her advocacy in sustainability and diversity in the wine industry. She currently serves on the board of directors for Wine Unify and leads the mentorship program for Bâtonnage, an organization dedicated to equity and inclusion within the wine community.
Founded in 1993 by Hoxsey, Napa Wine Company is a family-owned business with 600 acres of certified organic vineyards. Its portfolio includes estate wine labels such as Ghost Block, Oakville Winery, and Elizabeth Rose. French will lead the winemaking team as the company builds on its legacy of quality and innovation.
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