Quick Takeaways
- Ludovic Dervin has served as Senior Winemaker and General Manager at Stags' Leap Winery since 2022, succeeding longtime winemaker Christophe Paubert.
- He is a native of France's Champagne region with a viticulture and winemaking degree from the University of Reims.
- Before Napa Valley, his career spanned Piper Sonoma, Kendall-Jackson and Hartford Court, and 17 years as Head Winemaker at Mumm Napa.
- His approach blends Old World technique with the distinctive terroir of the Stags Leap District estate vineyard.
From Champagne to Napa Valley
Every wine in the current Stags' Leap Winery lineup, from The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon to the Audentia Cabernet Sauvignon, passes through the hands of Senior Winemaker and General Manager Ludovic Dervin. He joined the estate in July 2022, drawn by its centuries-old history and its position within the Stags Leap District appellation.
"I am constantly inspired by my surroundings here, on the estate at the base of the Palisades mountain range," Dervin has said of the role. "I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to exercise my passion and creativity in winemaking at one of Napa Valley's most iconic and storied wineries."
A Career Built Across Three Continents
Dervin grew up in France's Champagne region, foraging for wild mushrooms among some of the world's most storied vineyards. He initially studied microbiology before returning to his roots and pursuing enology, earning his viticulture and winemaking degree at the University of Reims.
| Era | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Early career | Flying winemaker | Greece, South Africa, California |
| Mid-1990s | Research enologist, Piper Sonoma | Sonoma, California |
| Late 1990s | Winemaker, Kendall-Jackson and Hartford Court | Sonoma County, California |
| 2002–2019 | Head Winemaker | Mumm Napa, Napa Valley |
| 2022–present | Senior Winemaker and General Manager | Stags' Leap Winery |
Before settling in Napa Valley, Dervin spent three years as a "flying winemaker," working across Greece, South Africa, and California to learn Old World and New World techniques side by side. He relocated to California permanently in the mid-1990s, joining Remy Martin's Piper Sonoma before moving to Kendall-Jackson and Hartford Court, where he worked on the 1998 launch of the Verité luxury program. In 2002, he became Head Winemaker at Mumm Napa, a role he held for 17 years, including winemaking projects in Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada.
Continuing an Estate's Legacy
Dervin succeeded Christophe Paubert, who led winemaking at Stags' Leap for 13 years before retiring to France. The two worked side by side through a full harvest to hand off the estate's vineyard blocks and winemaking style, a tradition Dervin has continued in the years since.
"I look forward to taking the leap into its newest chapter," Dervin said at the time, a sentiment that has held true across the vintages he's overseen since.
You can taste his approach directly in the current release of The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, which earned 96 points from JamesSuckling.com in December 2025, or explore the full lineup in the Cabernet Sauvignon collection. To go deeper on the estate's winemaking philosophy, visit our Winemaking page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current winemaker at Stags' Leap Winery? Ludovic Dervin has served as Senior Winemaker and General Manager since July 2022.
Where is Ludovic Dervin from? He is a native of France's Champagne region and holds a viticulture and winemaking degree from the University of Reims.
What did Ludovic Dervin do before joining Stags' Leap Winery? He worked as a flying winemaker across Greece, South Africa, and California, then held roles at Piper Sonoma, Kendall-Jackson, and Hartford Court, before spending 17 years as Head Winemaker at Mumm Napa.
Who was the winemaker at Stags' Leap Winery before Ludovic Dervin? Christophe Paubert led winemaking at the estate for 13 years before retiring to his home country of France.
What wines has Ludovic Dervin made at Stags' Leap Winery? He oversees the full current estate lineup, including The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon and the Audentia Cabernet Sauvignon.
