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.