Behind The Science

The Family Coppola

From the time he was a child, Francis Ford Coppola had such a keen interest in engineering and technology that his family nicknamed him ‘Science.’ Over the years, Francis has paid tribute to a number of scientific achievements by naming wines and spirits after some of history’s greatest minds. With The Family Coppola’s new property in Oregon, Francis wanted to endow the estate with a name that honored the scientific accomplishments of Maison de Broglie, a noble house of France, whose contributions to physics and quantum theory resulted in a Nobel Prize for Louis de Broglie, a man whose contributions were critical to quantum mechanics.

Winemaking has been a Coppola family tradition for several generations. Agostino Coppola, Francis Coppola's grandfather, used to make wine in the basement of his New York apartment building using concrete vats he constructed himself. With Domaine de Broglie, The Family Coppola continues their familial tradition of winemaking in the renowned Dundee Hills of Oregon.

Dave Petterson
General Manager/Winemaker

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dave Petterson lived overseas most of his young adult life in Saudi Arabia, England, and Kuwait as his father’s work led the family to international locations. After moving back to the United States, Dave graduated high school in Florida, and went on to attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York where he studied archaeology, geology, and geography.

After graduation, Dave moved out west to attend Portland State University where he earned his Master of Science in cartography geographic information systems. After graduation, he began working for the Portland regional government. There, he met his wife Emily whose family owned Panther Creek Cellars at the time. He then began to help working harvests in the cellar and eventually started working full-time as Assistant Winemaker in 2003.

In 2007, Dave met the McClintock family, owners of Vista Hills Vineyard. He began working for them as the General Manager/Winemaker as they grew from a vineyard to a winery featuring a new wine label, tasting room, wine club, and wholesale program.

The Family Coppola purchased Vista Hills in 2018 and Dave has continued to work as the General Manager/Winemaker as the winery is remodeled and rebranded into Domain de Broglie.

Corey Beck
President & Director of Winemaking and General Manager

President & Director of Winemaking and General Manager Corey Beck has more than 20 years of experience in the wine industry. Corey began his career in viticulture quite by accident, tagging alongside his grandfather who was the vineyard manager for Napa Valley’s renowned Chateau Montelena. Born and raised in Calistoga, Corey spent summer vacations working in the vineyards.

Upon earning his degree in Fermentation Science from the University of California at Davis, Corey returned to Chateau Montelena as their Cabernet Sauvignon Cellar Master, working with grapes his grandfather had planted in the 1970s – from the same vineyards that gained international recognition in the famous Judgment of Paris tasting. Wanting to broaden his repertoire, Corey joined Inglenook (formerly Rubicon Estate, Niebaum-Coppola) in 1998 as their assistant winemaker.

In 2006, the Coppola family purchased the historic Château Souverain property in Sonoma County, providing a home for the ever-popular Diamond Collection wines, and appointed Corey as director of winemaking and general manager. In the four years following what would become Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Corey worked alongside Francis to help revitalize the property and expand the wine operation. In 2010, after extensive renovations, the winery debuted new tasting rooms, two restaurants, a swimming pool, a movie gallery, a performing arts Pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Not only did Corey oversee major components of the hospitality renovation, he also made improvements to the bottling line and winemaking facility. He grew the wine portfolio into the eleven distinct wine brands available today. His personal vision for Sonoma County wines can been seen in brands such as Francis Coppola Reserve, Director's Cut and Director's, showcasing Sonoma County’s unique appellations and vineyards. In 2014, Corey was promoted to president of Francis Ford Coppola Winery overseeing the overall business, while simultaneously continuing his role as director of winemaking.

In addition to managing a compelling destination winery, Corey and his team have created a strong grower relations program that their growers rely on and admire. From their hands-on techniques in the vineyards to their valuable winemaking goals and analytical feedback, Corey and his team are often regarded as leaders in the wine industry, known for their innovative and engaging approach to their network of 150+ grape growers.

A respected member of the Sonoma County community, Corey currently serves as president of the Sonoma County Vintners and is regularly involved in a variety of wine industry symposiums and advisory councils.

When asked about his true winemaking passion, Corey’s answer is always Petite Sirah. It’s not just Corey’s favorite varietal, it was a passion of his grandfather’s and one of the primary reasons Corey chose winemaking as a career.