From France to Napa: How Winemaker Morgan Maureze is Crafting a Legacy with Ampleur Cellars
Morgan Maureze, a fifth-generation winemaker with deep roots in both Muscadet and Saint-Émilion, shares the origin and philosophy behind Ampleur Cellars, his boutique wine project in Napa Valley. After a significant family dispute led to the sale of his family estate in France, Morgan returned to California to rebuild his career, working with top wineries such as Dominus, Ovid, Marciano Estate, and Seven Apart under the mentorship of Andy Erickson. It was at Marciano Estate that he met his future business partner, Andrew Wesson, formerly of Schaefer Vineyards. Together, they founded Ampleur Cellars with a shared vision of "affordable luxury"—producing site-specific, small-production wines that reflect elegance, restraint, and authenticity without billionaire backing. Drawing on Morgan’s education and thesis work with DRC in Burgundy, the wines emphasize subtlety over showmanship, modest oak use, and the purity of fruit. The name "Ampleur," a French term referring to magnitude and texture in wine, was chosen to honor Morgan’s heritage; securing the trademark involved acquiring the rights to “Magnitude” to protect the brand. Still, Ampleur remains focused on growing organically and responsibly, crafting wines that reflect both legacy and integrity.
