Doug Hill has been developing and managing vineyards for 40 years. He has extensive viticultural experience in site and rootstock selection, pest and disease control, vine productivity and canopy management. Doug also produces wine under the label Hill Family Estate and has a keen understanding of how growing practices impact phenology and wine quality.

Doug and his team at Oak Knoll Farming manage over 700 acres of premium wine grapes in Napa and Sonoma. Over the course of his career, Doug has assembled and a team of supervisors and viticulturists who enjoy long tenure with Oak Knoll Farming.

With deep knowledge of how things have been done and an open mind to how things will be done in the future, Doug and his viticultural team receive over 25 hours each of continuing education annually in the areas of virus and pest control, fertility practices, soil health, vine productivity, trunk disease management, vineyard mechanization and more.

Over the course of his career, Doug has farmed grapes for noted winemakers and brands including Quintessa, Pedregal Vineyard for Ramey, Luc Morlet, Immortal Estate, Lambert Bridge, Chappellet, Tamber Bey, Lewis Wine Cellars, AXR, Alpha Omega, Young Inglewood, Behrens Family, and others including Duckhorn, Black Stallion, Far Niente, Silver Oak, Stag’s Leap Winery and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

Bio

Coming home to Sonoma County in 1978, after earning a degree in Plant Sciences at Cal State Fresno and traveling extensively in Latin America, Doug learned the art of vineyard management while employed by Sonoma-Cutrer. After settling in Yountville, Doug managed the extensive holdings of the Jaeger family before starting Oak Knoll Farming. His long tenure in Napa has familiarized him with the Valley's microclimates and soils, enabling him to pioneer new varietals and growing regions; Doug planted the first vineyards in American Canyon and brought the first Albarino to Napa Valley.

As a third generation California farmer, Doug is experienced in finding practical solutions to the challenges that arise in vineyard development projects, and strives to utilize environmentally conscious land management practices.

Doug was a founding board member of Napa Community Bank. He is a past president of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group. He also has participated on the Industry Advisory Board to the Foundation Plant Services at the University of California, Davis, and as a board member of the Napa County Farm Bureau.