Rudd Family

Leslie’s journey into the food and beverage industry began when he joined his father’s alcoholic beverage wholesale distribution business in Wichita, Kansas. Not content with the business’ growth potential and sustainability, he successfully transformed the industry structure within the state by introducing the concept of exclusive distributors in order to incentivize investment in brand building. Today, thanks to Leslie’s foresight, Standard Beverage Corporation has grown to be the state’s largest alcoholic beverage wholesaler and represents most of the world’s premium quality brands.

Leveraging his understanding and experience in the premium alcoholic beverage industry, Leslie expanded into the premium food market successfully launching and investing in several national restaurants as well as adding the iconic Dean & DeLuca, a national purveyor of fine foods, housewares and wines, to the portfolio in 1996. The most recent addition to the restaurant group is PRESS Restaurant, a modern steakhouse located in St Helena, California. Although each of these ventures shares a commitment to excellence and appreciation of artisan products, the winery is the only one of the businesses to bear the family name.

Leslie, his wife, Susan, daughter, Samantha, and their four dogs have made their home in the Napa Valley since they purchased the winery in 1996. Samantha graduated from university in 2010 and has been working full-time at Rudd Oakville Estate in the fields as well as the cellars since graduating in May. She is continuing her education by learning global best practices in the wine industry through a series of international internships, beginning with France in January 2011. Upon completion of her international experience, Samantha intends to return to the family winery, and in the words of her father “work her way up from the bottom.” Samantha shares her father’s passion for the land, and Leslie is encouraging her to make her mark improving the winery so that her future children will have an opportunity to do the same.