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Red Grape named Business of the Year

The Red Grape has been named the Business of the Year by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Owners Sam and Carol Morphy opened the Red Grape, at 529 First St. W., a little more than 10 years ago.

“This is really exciting,” said Sam Morphy.

Jennifer Yankovich, the chamber’s CEO, said, “Your business is an exemplary employer and top tax revenue generator to the City of Sonoma. A local dining hotspot, the ‘family’ of Red Grape employees are a testament to its success and reputation as a favorite restaurant for everything from business lunches to special occasions.”

Yankovich added, “Your commitment to community has been tremendous over the years. From donations to charity events, sponsorship of golf tournaments to community clean-up and landscape projects, the Red Grape is a significant supporter of so many youth and service organizations including Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Teen Center, Sonoma Valley Boys & Girls Clubs and Sonoma Valley Rotary.”

Sam Morphy said he had been in the restaurant business when he was in his 20s but had been doing other things for about 20 years, before opening the Grape. He said after retiring and moving back to Connecticut, he and his wife discovered thin-crust pizza.

“We spent a year in Connecticut learning about thin-crust pizza before we moved back to Sonoma,” he said. They started remodeling the week before the 9-11 tragedy in 2001, and opened the Red Grape in January 2002.

Now, their children are involved in the restaurant.

The Morphys and the Red Grape will be honored by the chamber at a luncheon tentatively scheduled for noon, Friday, Oct. 12, at the Sonoma Golf Club.

 “The chamber is honored to recognize the Red Grape, and both of you, for your outstanding contributions of industry excellence and community support. Thank you for representing the best of Sonoma Valley business,” Yankovich said.