Ken Kupperman oversees all aspects of vineyard and land management for Gran Moraine and Jackson Family Wines’ properties in Willamette Valley. Originally from Kansas City, Ken was born into a farming family and developed a love for the outdoors. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and the University of Arkansas with master’s degree in horticulture, he worked in Israel studying drip irrigation and gained experience in the production of apples, pears and kiwifruit.
With a longtime interest in winegrowing, he transitioned into the wine industry in 1998, when he joined Wente Family Estates as director of viticulture. While living in California, Ken and his wife spent time in Oregon and found it to be an exceptional place to live and work. In 2007, he accepted a position with Premier Pacific Vineyards farming their Willamette Valley and Washington vineyard portfolio, including Gran Moraine and Zena Crown Vineyard, which Jackson Family Wines would later purchase.
Ken joined Jackson Family Wines as director of vineyard operations in 2013, and was promoted to Vice President of vineyard operations in 2018. He feels fortunate to work with some of the best vineyard sites in Willamette Valley.