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President

Patrick Duffeler was born in Brussels, Belgium and educated in the United States. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Finance from the University of Rochester, New York. He began his career at Eastman Kodak in Rochester.

In the early 1970’s, he became the Director of Marketing for Philip Morris Europe, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. He developed the Formula 1 motor racing team (the Marlboro team) which won consecutive World Championships. He also created the company’s leisurewear operation.

During the 14 years Mr. Duffeler spent overseas, he traveled extensively not only in Europe but also in Latin America, the Far East, Middle East, and Africa. He became involved in the wine industry in Burgundy, France and developed relationships with Burgundian and other French producers. He developed an interest in the hospitality industry, particularly in the Relais & Chateaux association, and participated in a study for the development of a country hotel in Beaune (the old, walled city of Burgundy).
In the early 1980’s, he was named President of Fragrances Selective in New York City with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and Barcelona, Spain.

Mr. Duffeler and his wife, Peggy, founded the Williamsburg Winery in 1985, an operation which has grown to become the largest winery in Virginia, and a well-respected producer of premium wines. Mr. Duffeler has served for nine years on the Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board, having received appointments from three different Governors.

In 2004, he was appointed to that Board’s successor, the Virginia Wine Board, by Governor Warner. Mr. Duffeler has also served as the President of the Virginia Wineries Association and plays an active role in the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic and the Vintage Maymont Auction. Mr. Duffeler was named the Wine Industry Person of the Year in 1998 by the Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board for his role in promoting the wine industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia.