Austin Peterson is the acclaimed winemaker at Ovid Napa Valley, one of Napa’s most prestigious boutique estates on Pritchard Hill. He began his career at Ovid in 2006 as an enologist under the mentorship of Andy Erickson and was later promoted to winemaker, where he has played a central role in shaping the winery’s distinctive voice and style.

A native of Sonoma County and the son of a winemaker, Peterson was immersed in the world of viticulture from a young age. He pursued formal training in enology at the University of California, Davis, even making and selling his own wine to help finance his education. After graduating, he gained valuable international experience with positions in Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina—breadth that informs his thoughtful and terroir-driven approach to winemaking.

At Ovid, Peterson is known for his deep commitment to understanding and expressing the unique terroir of the estate’s iron-rich volcanic soils. His work emphasizes meticulous vineyard observation, experimental farming practices, and a blend of classical and innovative techniques that let the land speak through the wines. Under his leadership, Ovid has continued to receive critical acclaim and industry recognition for its elegant, ageable Bordeaux-style blends.