Born in France’s Cognac region, François Vignaud has built his life around studying and working with wine. He moved to Napa nearly a decade ago to develop the hospitality operation of the Harlan family’s most recent project, Promontory, alongside Will Harlan. François then transitioned into the role of Director for Harlan Estate, where he is thrilled to work alongside Founding Director, Don Weaver, to continue to build relationships across the world for the future. 

Before moving to the Napa Valley at the beginning of 2014, François worked for wine businesses in various regions of France, Italy, and California, developing marketing strategies and hospitality programs at wineries and chateaux including Opus One, Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château Lynch-Bages, and Château Kirwan.

François studied at the Paris-Sorbonne, where he received both his BA in Geography and a Master’s specializing in Wine Geography, before earning a Master’s in Wine and Spirits Management at BEM Bordeaux Management School.

PARTICIPATING EVENTS:

Wine Seminar: Four Decades of Excellence, Harlan Estate