Our Staff

 

Daniel Morgan Lee, Winegrower

Born and raised in Turlock, CA, Dan's early wine education was stealing sips of his parent's Mateus and Lancer's Rose. After high school, Dan headed to UC Davis with some of his ag buddies to pursue a veterinary/medical degree. While enjoying college life, Dan's academic vision cleared when he discovered he could drink wine and make a career out of it as well. His undergraduate and graduate studies were in microbiology with an emphasis on viticulture and enology. Dan's first winemaking stop was at Jekel Vineyards in Monterey County. Next stop was at Durney Vineyard in Carmel Valley and then consulting with a few wineries. In 1982, Dan and his wife, Donna, started Morgan Winery. In 1996, they bought the Double L Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands and planted it to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown organically. While pursuing his career dreams, Dan's greatest joys are his children, twins--Annie and Jackie, and son, Josh.

Donna Lee, VP - Finance

Dan met his wife Donna after she migrated north from Southern California to pursue a banking career in the Salinas Valley. Donna kept her day job for several years after the winery's inception, eventually managing the Central Coast Region for Wells Fargo's Commercial Banking Division. But the growth of the winery and their family eventually convinced her to "retire" from banking in 1997. Now, along with riding herd on their three active school-aged children, Donna oversees the financial and administrative side of the winery (being careful not to interfere with the very capable office staff). Drawing upon skills acquired during her 20-year banking career, Donna is the resident skeptic, devil's advocate and risk manager. "I'm the counter-balance to Dan," she says, "it makes for a great partnership."

Gianni Abate - Winemaker

Gianni started working in the wine industry in the San Joaquin Valley where he was raised by a wine drinking Italian family. Working for companies such as Bronco, Delicato, and Woodbridge he laid a good foundation for his winemaking career. Gianni’s love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought him to the Central Coast in 2002.

Gianni comes to Morgan Winery from the Robert Mondavi Corp. on the Central Coast. His experiences on the Central Coast have taught him to balance the science and the art of winemaking. He has a tremendous palate, which is necessary to produce world-class wines. Gianni likes to make wine and he loves to make wine better.

Elise Faur - Director of Sales

At a young age Elise was immersed into the wine and food industry . Her parents worked in the restaurant industry and Elise joined them when she was not in school. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Philosophy. While earning her undergraduate degree Elise worked at fine dining restaurants; during that time she began to learn about and take serious interest in wine.

After UCLA Elise moved to the University of Hawaii where she earned her Masters in Hospitality and Travel Industry Management. Elise held positions such as Wine Director, General Manager and Food and Beverage Director at luxurious Hawaiian resorts. From hospitality management Elise moved into distribution as the fine wine manager for a large distributor on the Big Island. Finally, Elise moved to the production side of the wine industry. Most recently she was Regional Sales Manager for Jordan Vineyards and Winery. There she oversaw all west coast markets, the western mountain regions, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, and South America.

In addition to her extensive background in the business of wine, Elise is a certificate recipient from the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds an Advanced Certificate with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Jan Neilson - Southwest Sales Manager

Jan Neilson is the Southwest Sales Manager for Morgan Winery. Jan is a native to the Monterey Peninsula area where she graduated from Monterey Peninsula College with a Liberal Arts Degree. Jan's interest in the wine industry and the desire to succeed has allowed her to be a key player in the Sales/Marketing team at Morgan Winery. Her ten year tenure with Morgan is proof how much she enjoys what she's doing at an establishment that produces a great product! If you need to know what's going on with Morgan in California and the Southwest .....Ask JAN!!

Tom Tomlinson - Eastern Regional Sales Manager

Tom Tomlinson (aka T2, or "Dudamus") hails from Birmingham, Michigan. During his tenure at the University of Michigan, Tom participated on the National Skeet Shooting circuit, earning a national championship in the process. It was during these travels that he first developed a passion for fine wine. Following graduation, with a degree in Business Administration, Tom moved to Venice, Florida and worked for a local wine and spirits shop. After moving up the road to sunny Sarasota, he began his career in the distribution of fine wine, working for National Distributing Company in Off-Premise wine sales. One year later, with an urge to be self-employed, Tom opened and managed a fine wine and spirits store.

In 1992, he sold the store and resumed his wholesale career with Southern Wine & Spirits, eventually becoming the Restaurant Division District Manager. Tom built this team to be the number one in performance for the entire Central Division of Southern. Tom's next career move was with Pacific Southern Wine Company, working with their fine wine portfolio, including Morgan. His love of Morgan wines led to his current position. In his spare time, Tom and his wife Elyse both share a mutual enjoyment of wine and fine dining. He will also readily accept an invitation to shoot clay targets, golf, and fish.

Yolanda Murdock - Wine Club Manager

Yolanda Murdock, new to the wine business, has been with Morgan Winery since February 2000.  A native of Monterey/Salinas areas, Yolanda has a degree in Business Administration and has applied her knowledge and experience in accounting/administration in banking, broadcasting, and the hospitality industries in the Monterey Peninsula area. Born in Germany to full blooded Italian parents, Yolanda is no stranger to having wine on her dinner table and hopes to further enhance her knowledge of the wine industry.

Deborah Canepa - Tasting Room Manager

Deborah was born and raised in Carmel and still resides there. After venturing out into the world visiting and living in other cities (Santa Barbara, Stockton), states (New York) and countries (Fiji), she was away long enough to appreciate the unique beauty of the Monterey Peninsula and returned. She joined the hospitality industry in her early 20's and has spent her entire career in some aspect of this rewarding industry. Wine has always been one of her passions and wine knowledge usually a part of her job description. With her great love of people and wine, the Morgan tasting room was a perfect match.

Carmen Maldonado - Cellar Master

Carmen was born in Texas, but has been a long time resident of Salinas Valley. He is the senior member of the winery staff, having started with Morgan in 1988. Carmen has progressively obtained greater responsibilities. His Current position is Cellar Master. Carmen directly oversees his two cellar workers, Jose Hernandez and Miguel Morfin. Together, they perform all the operations necessary for the aging, finishing and bottling of Morgan wines. The picture above shows Carmen in his natural element - on the forklift. He is an indispensable (and an exceptional forklift operator, easily managing our barrel racks and warehouses). Perhaps most importantly Carmen is the undisputed king of the Morgan Friday barbecue pit, a duty for which we all thank him weekly.