Andrew Murray Vineyards
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Jim and Fran Murray |
| Headquarters | Los Olivos , United States |
Area served | Central Coast, California |
Key people | Andrew Murray (winemaker) |
| Products | Rhône grape variety wines (Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache blanc) |
Andrew Murray Vineyards is a winery owned by a family, located in Los Olivos, California, within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County, California. The estate focuses on cultivating Rhône grape varieties including Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache blanc. It is also a member of the distinguished Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.
History
The winery was established in 1990 by Jim and Fran Murray following the sale of their restaurant businesses in southern California. Their son, Andrew Murray, now oversees winemaking operations. Situated on a 200-acre estate in the Santa Ynez Valley, the vineyard has earned acclaim for its Rhône-inspired wines.
Born on February 1, 1972, Andrew Murray was raised with a deep connection to the wine trade, traveling through France’s Rhône Valley alongside his family and participating in winemaker interviews. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in enology and viticulture from the University of California, Davis and refined his expertise in Syrah production through an internship in Australia. At just 19 years old, he crafted his first wine, with the winery’s debut vintage arriving in 1993.
Following the sale of the original vineyard site in 2006, Andrew obtained leases throughout California’s Central Coast to source grapes and opened a new winery facility in Los Olivos on land owned by the Firestone family. Recognized for his unconventional approach, Andrew Murray Vineyards transitioned exclusively to screw-top closures beginning with the 2006 vintage, motivated primarily by concerns over cork failures.