Staff

	Amber, The Winery Dog Amber is a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a super personality and distinct grace. Amber’s main responsibilities at Clos LaChance include eating, sleeping, keeping the staff constantly entertained with her antics, and guarding over the Library Wine Stash. Her hobbies include running laps around the office, barking at visitors, and chewing up her squeaky toys.
	Bill Murphy, Co-Founder and 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, Co-Founder and President Brenda Murphy Brenda’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.
	Cheryl Murphy Durzy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Cheryl Murphy Durzy, Bill and Brenda’s oldest daughter, is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Clos LaChance. She has been working alongside her parents for nearly 10 years, having spent the early part of her career in high-tech public relations. Cheryl spends the majority of her time working with her five sales managers to further develop the Clos LaChance brand amongst the wholesaler network. In addition, Cheryl manages the direct sales channel and marketing for the brand and the other business units. She sits on several industry boards, including the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association. Cheryl is currently studying for the Advanced Level of the WSET, having passed the Intermediate level in 2006.
	Kristin Murphy, Director of Events, CK Vines, & Bay Area Bottling Kristin Murphy, Bill and Brenda’s youngest daughter, manages the additional Clos LaChance Business Units, including CK Vines, Weddings and Corporate Events, and Bay Area Bottling. Having built the wineries successful event business from scratch, Kristin has recently taken over management of the new bottling business, Bay Area Bottling. 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.