Dan Murphy

winemaker & owner

Born and bred in Columbia Falls, Montana, Dan disappeared after high school to make a living and spent the next thirty-two years trying to return. He spent most of that time in California working for an automation company and later owning and operating a mobile wine bottling business. As it was difficult to find work in the Flathead Valley, he realized he had to either bring jobs with him or start a company—that company became White Raven Winery, an opportunity for Dan to fuse his passions for art, physics, and chemistry. To further Montana’s viticultural presence in the greater world of wine and compliment his work at White Raven Winery, Dan serves as the President of the Montana Grape and Wine Association (MTGWA).

A veteran (Marine Corps), Dan is married to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, whose artwork appears on the winery’s corks and walls. If he’s not at the winery and it’s not hunting season, Dan can be found floating the Valley’s rivers or fishing. His favorite wine? The Montana grown Marquette, mostly because, so far, each year’s harvest is very different, which means the winemaker’s choices or (happy) mistakes are that much more interesting to discover!

Meredith Hanson

Assistant WINEmaker & Event DeCANTRESS

Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the Hi-Line town of Havre, Montana, Meredith brings boundless optimism and her brilliant, fast-paced brain to our team. Her journey thus far has been an adventure guided by her inner voice and, ultimately, her heart’s true north. Initially this led to an undergraduate degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from the University of Montana. But, when the time came to start medical school, her inner voice lead her instead to Yellowstone Cellars in Billings, Montana, where her love for winemaking ignited- like a firework! It was as if, at that moment, her heart’s compass had found its true north. Fueled by her characteristic optimism and her now emboldened inner voice, she took a leap and opened the FIRST wine bar in the Flathead Valley, "Tailing Loop.” There, she discovered her calling did NOT lie in the conventional path of healing people as a doctor but rather in the art of uniting people as a WINEmaker—a different yet equally significant form of medicine... the kind that's good for the soul. Then the provocateur of change, the pandemic, hit- ultimately resulting in the unavoidable closure of her beloved wine bar. But Meredith’s love of winemaking and passion for cultivating an inclusive atmosphere only became stronger. Lucky for us she accepted a position at White Raven Winery and Vineyard! When she’s not busy in our cellar, Meredith's a painter, jazz pianist, and pottery enthusiast! As for her favorite wine...Amarone she says, “…is a testament to the endless artistry that goes into winemaking.”

Wil Nieman

Head Cellar Master & Lab Rat

Also born and bred in Columbia Falls, Montana, Wil graduated high school with Dan and spent the next twenty years in the Navy. One of his tours was in Italy, where he took part in an agritourism program and learned what it means to appreciate wine in the company of friends. After retiring from the Navy in 2011, Wil returned to the Flathead Valley and became the first member of the White Raven team, where he has thoroughly enjoyed learning the nuanced process of wine-making. On that note, he was responsible for White Raven’s 1st Gluhwein (a.k.a Christmas in a Glass) and has overseen the process every year since!

Wil is married to a Southern woman, and all that entails, and loves woodworking, cooking, Montana, and all that entails. While his talents are many, you can see the result of his woodworking craftsmanship by simply visiting our winery - as Wil is responsible for much of its beautiful interior. Finally, Wil believes there are only two types of wines: ones you like and ones you don’t. One thing is for sure - if Wil is in the tasting room when you visit, his signature sense of humor will be served up alongside your wine! Don’t worry, we think the odds are pretty good you’ll acquire a taste for both!