In 1990, Derek founded Codera Wine Group and created Blackstone Merlot. Two years later, he purchased a former apple cannery in Graton that had been converted into a winery. After seven successful years, Blackstone was sold, Codera was dissolved, and Derek launched Purple Wine Company.

His ability to understand consumer preferences led to a series of successful brands. Avalon helped make Cabernet Sauvignon more accessible. Mark West became a major success and earned the Impact Hot Brand Award twice before being sold to Constellation Brands. In 2013, Derek introduced Raeburn, a Russian River Chardonnay that quickly gained national recognition. Within eleven years, Raeburn grew to 250,000 cases and became a top ten brand across multiple varietals before being sold in 2026.

In 2014, Derek expanded into whiskey, breaking ground on a distillery in Graton. He recognized that the region’s temperate climate would allow for a slower and more balanced aging process. By 2015, the distillery began laying down its own distillate while also sourcing older barrels from established producers. Redwood Empire Whiskey launched in 2019 and quickly developed a strong following among whiskey enthusiasts.

The brand draws inspiration from Northern California’s redwood forests, once spanning over 400 miles of coastline. Today, less than three percent of those forests remain, preserved in part thanks to conservationists like John Muir. Many of these iconic trees, including Pipe Dream and Emerald Giant, inspired the names of the brand’s whiskies. Redwood Empire has become not only a leader in California whiskey, but a serious player in the broader American whiskey category.

Giving back is central to the brand. Redwood Empire supports Save the Redwoods League, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting these forests, and partners with Trees for the Future to support global reforestation. Together, these efforts have helped plant more than 1.7 million trees, with more added each year.

Driven by a commitment to bold California whiskey, the company has built the largest inventory of aging whiskey in the state while producing only four barrels per day. In 2025, operations moved to Mare Island, increasing capacity to 14 barrels per day. Even with this growth, production remains intentionally small compared to much larger distilleries. Every decision is made with care to create whiskey that is smooth, complex, and expressive of its Northern California roots.

Outside of work, Derek enjoys skiing, surfing, and traveling with his wife and three children. He has a deep appreciation for Barcelona and often visits to experience its culture. He is especially fond of the gin and tonic, a signature drink of the region, and enjoys sharing it with friends and family.