For Morgan Maureze, winemaking isn’t just a profession—it’s in his blood. A fifth-generation vintner with deep French roots, Morgan grew up between the vineyards of Saint-Émilion and Muscadet before moving to Napa Valley as a child. Today, after decades spent learning from some of the world’s best estates and winemakers, Morgan is carving his own path with Ampleur Cellars, a micro-production wine brand built on vision, integrity, and deep personal meaning.
“For me, it was wanting to have something that I can proudly say is mine and have the family back in actual wine production as an owner,” Morgan says, reflecting on the loss of his family’s historic property in France. “It’s been almost 20 years waiting.”
After studying viticulture at UC Davis and completing his master’s in Bordeaux, Morgan interned with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, where he conducted high-level research on whole-cluster fermentation and stem inclusion. “They wanted me to redo an experiment they had done 20 years earlier… but with the best analytics money has to offer,” he recalls. “Yet their winemaking was the simplest I’d ever seen. That was truly eye-opening.”
His experience spans continents and cult wineries—from Chile to Dominus, Ovid, Dalla Valle, Marciano Estate and Seven Apart. But launching Ampleur, his own brand, represents something much deeper to Morgan: a return to roots, family, and legacy.
Morgan founded Ampleur with longtime friend and sales partner Andrew Wesson. The two first worked together at Marciano, where Morgan was director and Andrew handled national sales. “I’m not a wow guy. I’m the quiet guy that works behind the scenes,” Morgan says. “But I know what I’m doing.” Their synergy was instant.
Ampleur is built on a philosophy Morgan calls “affordable luxury.” With pricing around $150, it’s aimed at consumers who want exceptional quality without billionaire-level exclusivity. “We’re not backed by billions of dollars; it’s just us. But we know what tastes good. We know what looks good. We know what feels good.”
Fruit sources matter deeply to Morgan, and he’s leveraged his network to secure blocks from Napa’s prestigious Hayne Vineyard. “That was pure good friendship… being nice paid off,” he says. A future white wine is also in the works. He has a Sauvignon Blanc coming and a white wine from Hyde Vineyard—a nod to his Muscadet heritage and a personal passion for white wines. “People love white wines, and I love making them,” he says.
As for the winemaking, Morgan lets the fruit lead. “The vision is not to do something that’s overly rich or 100% new oak. Respect the fruit, don’t over-oak it. The oak is just a light season, kind of like salt.”
Despite Ampleur’s modest size—about 160 cases for their first vintage—the ambition is clear: to build a legacy brand on quality, care, and deep respect for the craft. “Sometimes if you’re too greedy, it’ll bite you in the end. But it’s just us. We don’t fly in a private jet. I drive my used Nissan.”
With Ampleur, Morgan Maureze isn’t chasing trends. He’s honoring generations past, embracing the land, and crafting a future rooted in humility and excellence. And for wine lovers seeking sincerity in every sip, that’s a story worth toasting to.
Wines tasted in this article
2023 Ampleur Cabernet Sauvignon Hayne Vineyard
Tasted as a barrel sample, the Cabernet is fresh, complex, and fruity, with notes of black raspberry and lush dark cherry. It is full-bodied, fleshy, and ripe with a juicy core and exhibits rich and layered characteristics, showcasing its depth beautifully. The wine opens to reveal floral expressions, balanced with the wine’s rich mid-palate, before revealing additional layers and a clean finish. This beauty will have no problem aging to its 15th birthday and beyond.
Projected Score: 92–94
