Samantha Rudd grew up in the heart of the Napa Valley on Rudd Estate, founded in 1996 by her father Leslie Rudd. From an early age, Samantha embraced the responsibility bestowed upon her by her late father to improved the land, the wine, and the lives of the people in the Napa Valley that make it all possible.

Growing up on the Estate alongside her mother and father, Samantha remembers well the lessons about stewardship, earned success and an uncompromising dedication to excellence, which remain her guiding principles in both fine winemaking and owning a restaurant.

Samantha devoted numerous years outside the family business learning from some of the best négociants in Paris, and wineries in the world, including Château Margaux and Spottswoode, both female led estates in a largely male directed industry, before returning to Rudd Estate in December 2015.

Following the passing of her father, Samantha committed to showcasing the Napa Valley and its wines at PRESS by partnering with Chef Philip Tessier in the evolution of the restaurant though their shared vision and values. Some of her fondest memories of the Napa Valley community are from meals at PRESS, and she looks forward to both honoring the wineries that built the Napa Valley and highlighting exciting newcomers alongside Chef Tessier’s culinary talents. PRESS earned its first Michelin Star under the leadership of Samantha and Chef Tessier in 2022. Expanding upon the culinary footprint of PRESS, the team will open a new concept called Under-Study in 2025.