THE SMUGGLER
IT ALL STARTED WITH VIRGIL
Virgil Kipper was born and raised on the family farm in North Vernon, Indiana, and moved to Detroit, Michigan in the late 1920s during Prohibition to work for his uncle, Peter Holdreith, who owned a prominent Detroit restaurant called the Holdreith Chop House. Virgil worked as a waiter by day and smuggled booze from across the river in Canada by night supplying the restaurant during Prohibition.
Virgil also was a family winemaker who made wine all his life for family and friends to enjoy. The Smuggler’s Son commemorates the family winemaking and bootlegging heritage of the winery’s namesake.
Virgil Kipper marries Dorothy Reichle 1945.
May, 1959. at home in their Redford Township backyard vineyard. Virgil and Dorothy Kipper here with their 6 children: Patricia, George, Robert, Margaret and twin boys, Michael and Matthew.
Virgil Kipper Army WWII
Patricia, the oldest, making wine with her dad.
Winemaking was always a family affair. Here Pat and George help their dad during crush.
THE SMUGGLER’S SON
THE LEGACY LIVES ON
Matthew, the youngest son of Virgil and Dorothy Kipper, was born in Detroit Michigan in 1959. As a boy, Matthew and his twin brother Mike were by the side of their dad Virgil making wine in the basement from the grapes grown in their backyard in Redford Township, Michigan. Virgil retired when Matthew and his brother were 10 years old. Matthew and Mike moved with their parents back to their hometown of North Vernon, Indiana, where they lived on a small farm. Virgil’s winemaking continued in Indiana with almost any fruit that was available at the time. Matthew and his family enjoyed the wine at family meals and special occasions.
Matthew went on to earn his degree in Biology/Chemistry from Indiana University. Matthew spent most of his professional career at Genentech. While working at Genentech as a Senior Director of Field Sales, Matthew spent a great deal of time in the Napa and Sonoma wine growing regions developing a love for their wines and rekindling an interest to make wine as his father had done all his life. Matthew began making wine as an amateur winemaker in Michigan using California fruit that was shipped into Detroit. Over 10 years, Matthew’s wines earned over 28 medals in amateur wine competitions throughout the U.S. Every fall the basement of his Farmington Hills home was transformed into a busy winemaking extravaganza. Friends and family would help with the production and were paid in wine and food.
Matthew retired after 19 years with Genentech. Upon retirement, the family purchased a second home in Napa and in 2007 produced their first amateur wine using fresh Napa fruit and the winemaking skills Matthew had perfected over the last 10 years. The quality of this first vintage made in the garage in Napa was outstanding and was assisted and encouraged by connections and friends in the wine industry. The decision to go commercial was made.
Matthew and his friend John Hanhauser founded Virgil’s Vineyard in Napa, California as a commercial winery in 2008. The goal of the winery was to make the best possible red blend of their favorite varietals on a micro-production basis and honor the bootlegging legacy of Virgil Kipper in Prohibition Detroit. Thus was born, the wine: The Smuggler’s Son.
Matthew spends most of his time in Napa and Detroit with his wife of 36 years, Jennifer. Their children are still part of the tradition and enjoy the fruits of his labor and have been instrumental in the e-Commerce and Direct-to-Consumer part of the business.
Matthew is THE SMUGGLER’S SON.
A WINE FOR OUR TIMES
Through our micro-production winery we focus on developing wine best enjoyed as Virgil did… with his family and friends.
We uncork our wine and raise our glasses to you. Cheers!
Matthew & Jennifer Kipper