MEET OUR PEOPLE

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Tom Murphy

The Murphy Companies / Owner & CFO

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HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING?
Our family has been farming and ranching in the Lodi area for more than 125 years. We planted our first vineyards in 1992.

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF FARMING WINEGRAPES?
Mother Nature.

I FARM BECAUSE… 
I was born into a farming family. But I wasn’t always interested in farming. As the third son, I set my sights on a career in the big city (San Francisco). There, I attended college and, later, worked as an accountant in San Francisco’s financial district. Still, I couldn’t stay away from the farm completely: I often came home on weekends to help out. Upon the unexpected passing of my father, I returned home permanently. While living in the Bay Area, I had learned to appreciate where I came from – the farming community where I was raised and the hard work that had shaped the people in that community. I believe I was always meant to be a farmer; it just took me a little longer than some to figure it out. 

HOW HAS THE LODI WINE REGION CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
Improvements in irrigation systems and farming techniques have led to higher quality grapes and wine production.

WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Dishes.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am also a citizen of Switzerland. My mother immigrated with her family to the U.S. when she was a child, allowing me to maintain dual citizenship with Switzerland and the U.S.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER OR START OVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I had another career and chose farming. I will never change again.