Winemaker
Cody Hurd
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
i. Biography
Cody Hurd’s work at Priest Ranch is built around a simple winemaking principle: the wine should show what the property can already do. In that framework, the cellar is not a place to override the site but to register it carefully, with patience and repetition doing more than heavy intervention. The result is a winemaker’s role defined by attention to vineyard character first, then disciplined translation in the cellar.
Coming Up
A start in 2010 as a vineyard and cellar team member at Priest Ranch / Somerston Estate in Napa Valley, CA gave Cody Hurd direct access to both sides of the estate operation. That early work tied the career to the daily realities of the property, moving between vineyard and cellar and building familiarity with the pace of the site. From there, he advanced through assistant winemaker, cellar master, associate winemaker, and, from 2023, winemaker at Priest Ranch in Napa Valley, CA. The progression maps a career shaped by time on the property and by a steady accumulation of responsibility rather than abrupt change.
Where They Are Now
As winemaker at Priest Ranch, Cody Hurd keeps the work centered on site expression. His stated goal is clear: “My goal is to make wines that showcase the best of what the property has to offer.” He extends that through another plain-spoken brief: “I want our wines to be an expression of this land and its heritage. My job is to work alongside our amazing team to bring out the unique characteristics of the property.” Taken together, those lines describe a cellar practice focused on clarity, land, and team execution, with the vineyard setting the terms.
Signature
Snake Oil, Peacemaker, 2022 Priest Ranch Peacemaker, 2022 Priest Ranch James Joshua, and 2024 Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc sit in the Priest Ranch portfolio as the clearest markers of Cody Hurd’s work. The list shows a cellar built around the property, with each named wine carrying the same site-based approach while still holding its own place in the lineup. That range points to a winemaker working within a defined estate voice rather than outside it.
In Their Words “I want our wines to be an expression of this land and its heritage. I believe that great wine starts in the vineyard, and my job is to work alongside our amazing team to bring out the property’s unique characteristics.” “I want our wines to be an expression of this land and its heritage. My job is to work alongside our amazing team to bring out the unique characteristics of the property.”
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Cody
What is Cody Hurd's current role?
As of 2026, Cody Hurd is Winemaker.
Where did Cody Hurd work before?
Cody Hurd's earlier career included Priest Ranch / Somerston Estate, Priest Ranch, and Priest Ranch.
