David Pearson

David Pearson serves as Executive Chairman of Joseph Phelps, where he is responsible for overseeing all of the Maison's operations and strategic development.

From 2004 to 2020, David held the position of CEO of Opus One Winery, which was founded as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Prior to joining Opus One, he served as President of Rancho Arroyo Grande, a ranch and vineyard estate located in California’s Central Coast. From 1996 to 2003, David served in a management capacity with the Robert Mondavi Corporation where he was Vice President, General Manager of Byron Vineyards & Winery and before that, Vice President, General Manager of Vichon SARL, responsible for the establishment of wine growing operations in Languedoc, France. Prior to that, he spent time with Heublein, Inc. as a senior sensory scientist in Heublein’s Research & Development division, and as Marketing Brand Manager at Palace Brands, an operating unit of Heublein.

David holds a B.S. in enology from UC Davis and an MBA in international business from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

David served on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Vintners from 2014 to 2020.  He also served as a trustee of the UC Davis Foundation from 2014 to 2020. He joined Festival Napa Valley’s Board of Directors in 2014.