Winemaker and Co-Owner

David has over 30 years of wine industry experience and leadership in the Mid-Atlantic wine region. He began his winemaking career in 1987 at Loudoun County Virginia’s first winery, Willowcroft Farm Vineyards. In 1997 he became the winemaker at Breaux Vineyards, also in Loudoun Co. In 2011 he formed a partnership with Randy and Jennifer Thompson to create Big Cork Vineyards in Washington County, MD. 

David holds a degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech. He has extensive knowledge and experience in vineyard operations and winemaking techniques. He has spoken at numerous industry seminars and has consulted for many wineries. David is widely recognized for his award-winning wines, having garnered the Jefferson Cup in Virginia, the Jack Aellen Cup, and both the Maryland Governor’s Cup, the Winemasters Choice, and the Comptroller’s Cup numerous times. Of particular note is his creative work with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Nebbiolo, Viognier, and Russian Kiss, a blend using Eastern European grapes. Recently, Tempranillo and Vermentino have been added to the vineyard portfolio. 

In 2022 he was recognized as one of Maryland’s most influential people by the Baltimore Daily Record. Currently he is the winemaker and co-owner at Big Cork Vineyards, located in Rohrersville, MD where he oversees 42 acres of vineyards and bottles 8,000 cases of wine per year.