The Murphy Family
Bill Murphy
Founder & CEO
Bill Murphy is the CEO and co-founder of Clos LaChance Winery. He runs day-to day management operations in all aspects of the business. He retired in 2000 after 30 years in the high-tech business as Director of Internet Marketing at Hewlett-Packard. His passion for wine was invoked in his formative years after working part-time jobs at the local white-tablecloth restaurant in Lawrence, MA. A move to Northern California created the opportunity to make wine on a hobby level. Clos LaChance was born from this hobby “run amok,” and Bill’s true passion in life has been “unearthed”—to develop a successful family wine business. Throughout both his careers in technology and the wine industry, Bill has been very active in industry and non-profit advisory boards. He currently resides as Chairman of the Board of Visitors and Fellows at U.C. Davis’ Department of Viticulture & Enology.
Brenda Murphy
Founder & President
Brenda Murphy’s maiden name (LaChance) was the inspiration for naming the family winery. Brenda graduated from Rivier College with a degree in education. After teaching for nearly 7 years, Brenda raised her two children, Cheryl and Kristin. She is now directing Clos LaChance’s daily operations, including managing the staff, Human Resources, Compliance, Accounts Payable and Insurance. Brenda is also a gourmet cook, and contributes to the e-mail newsletter with recipes; each one paired carefully with Clos LaChance’s wines. Brenda loves to showcase her namesake wines at local gourmet stores, talking food and wine with other enthusiasts.
Kristin Murphy
vice-presidenT
Kristin Murphy, Bill and Brenda’s youngest daughter, built the highly successful Events business from scratch, hosting over 50 weddings annually since 2002. She also manages Clos LaChance’s corporate events and the Direct Sales Channel, which includes the Wine Club, Internet and Tasting Room. Her customer service skills and attention to detail have been a considerable asset in managing these high-touch pieces of the Clos LaChance “empire.” Kristin also enjoys spending time in the market calling on accounts and pouring wine at tastings. Kristin lives in Santa Cruz with her husband Steve (Clos LaChance’s Winemaker) and her two children.
CHERYL MURPHY DURZY
CEO & FOUNDER OF LIBERATION DISTRIBUTION (LIBDIB.COM)
Cheryl Murphy Durzy is the founder and CEO of Liberation Distribution. Before her latest enterprise, Cheryl served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Clos LaChance Winery. She had worked alongside her family for 15 years, having spent the early part of her career in high-tech public relations. She sits on several industry boards, including the California Sustainable Wine Association and Free the Grapes. She received certificates from the OIV Wine Marketing Program and the Court of Master Sommeliers. Cheryl lives in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose with her husband and two children.