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Ann Colgin and Joe Wender |
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David Abreu and Ann using the extensive sorting system for the Colgin wines |
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Ann Colgin and Alain Raynaud |
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Ann Colgin, Vintner
As a vintner, an art collector and an avid philanthropist, Ann Barry Colgin is a renaissance woman with a playful and elegant personality that imbues everything she does with beauty and passion.
It should come as no surprise that the acclaimed vintner began her career in the world of fine art. The native Texan studied as an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University before heading to London to complete the Sotheby's Decorative Works of Art Course. In London, Ann discovered her inner oenophile, attending wine tastings and dinners that brought the allure of wine alive. "Wine has an incredibly art-like quality that was instantly attractive to me," she says. "The hands of an artist are important, but background influences, such as politics, history, and even personal experience are part of what make the finished product so fascinating and original. Replace politics, history, and experience with terroir, viticultural practices and a talented winemaking team and you're talking about fine wine," she adds.
Ann completed her M.A. at New York University, and was subsequently President of Fairchilds Fine Art, Inc. Wine, and Ann's desire to have a hand in its creation, eventually brought her to the Napa Valley. "My career in art hinged on knowing the best of the best. The rarity factor gave me an appreciation for top-quality, artisanal wines right away and it was only natural to want to share something really special with people who appreciate the painstaking process of creating an extraordinary wine," she says. Each of Colgin's wines has its own distinctive personality that reflects a careful hand that, much like a painter would, leaves room for the muse, for the grape and the earth and the vines to fully express themselves.
The auction world is still a large and important part of Ann's life. She serves as a consultant to the Sotheby's Wine Department and volunteers her charm with a gavel at top charity auctions across the country. Her playful side is most evident behind the auction block, where Ann is known for cheerfully goading and flirting with bidders to garner larger donations. "Giving back to the community is something I value very much," she says. "And if by encouraging bidders, I'm able to give back a little more-then why not?"
To date, Ann's donations of rare verticals and large format bottles of Colgin wines to carefully chosen charities dedicated to health care, community services and the arts have helped to raise over $5 million for these causes. In 2003 Ann was honored by New York-Presbyterian Hospital as the first recipient of the "Ann Colgin Award for Corporate Philanthropy." In 2006 she was the Honoree for the NY City Opera Spring Gala and she was selected as Honored Vintner for the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival.
She shares her verve and zest for life with her husband, Joe Wender, whom she met at a Henri Jayer dinner at Spago in Los Angeles. The two also have an interest in Camille Giroud in Burgundy. And despite busy travel schedules between California and France, and philanthropic commitments around the country, the couple hasn't checked a piece of luggage in nearly a decade. "Life," she says, "is far too short to wait at baggage claim." Ann smiles, and the room gets a little brighter.
Allison Tauziet, Winemaker
Colgin Cellars winemaker Allison Tauziet brings a legacy of success and winemaking talent from both her education and career path at some of Napa Valley's most esteemed producers. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Fermentation Science and French, her passion for wine led her to work as a harvest intern at Domaine Chandon. Her fluency in French, developed through 10 years of study, enabled her to move to France to spend time as an American Intern at the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux. Upon returning to the United States, she joined Far Niente winery as an Enologist. She later became Assistant Winemaker and remained at Far Niente for five years, where she was continuously inspired by the high level of expectations and passion of the late Gil Nickel.
Tauziet joined Colgin Cellars in 2005 as Assistant Winemaker/Estate Manager. "I jumped at the chance to join Colgin Cellars and participate in producing some of the world's most sought after wines," she says.
As Colgin's IX Estate comes into maturity, Tauziet's hands-on experience and knowledge of the Colgin vineyard practices and winemaking philosophy will be crucial in developing and sustaining the endless potential of the property. "Allison Tauziet is an extremely talented winemaker possessing an incredible attention for detail," says Colgin. "We've promoted her to maintain our focus making distinct wines from IX Estate, Tychson Hill Vineyard, Herb Lamb Vineyard and the Madrona Ranch Vineyard (for 'Cariad')."
Tauziet resides in Napa Valley with her husband Xavier, a native of Bordeaux. Allison and Xavier travel annually to Bordeaux.
David Abreu, Vineyard Manager
David Abreu is a third generation native of Napa Valley. He grew up in Rutherford where his parents were ranchers. In 1980 he founded David Abreu Vineyard Management. He focuses on vineyards in the Napa Valley from Oakville to Calistoga and is renowned for his knowledge of the terroirs of the area. He is the vineyard manager for the Tychson Hill Vineyard and IX Estate. David's vineyard workers remain constant from year to year, getting to know our properties intimately, and making informed decisions on pruning, canopy management and crop thinning. The signature of an Abreu vineyard is the meticulous care, which shows in the precise, even rows of perfectly maintained vines. He is a perfectionist.
Colgin purchases grapes from Abreu's Madrona Ranch Vineyard and Thorevilos Vineyards to create the blend for "Cariad."
Alain Raynaud, Enological Consultant
"Dr. Raynaud brings an exciting facet to our team," according to Ann Colgin. "His dedication to neo-classical winemaking techniques and attention to detail are the perfect compliment to Aubert and Abreu." Raynaud collaborates in the exchange of ideas and information to enhance the Colgin Cellars' line." I am greatly impressed with the wines Colgin is producing. This is a personal project I am deeply committed to and will be my only venture in the U.S." said Raynaud.
Raynaud's lineage in wine production dates back to the 15th century with his family winery in Bordeaux. He left the industry to pursue a career in medicine and returned in 1998 to craft some of the most sought after small production wines in Bordeaux, including La Fleur De Gay and La Croix De Gay in Pomerol and Chateau Quinault in St. Emillion. Raynaud supervises the production of Chateau Lascombes, Margaux in which Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, are investors. From 1994-2000 Raynaud served as President of the Union Des Grands Crus De Bordeaux, representing top Bordeaux wines around the world.
Christopher Tynan, Assistant Winemaker and Estate Manager
Colgin Assistant Winemaker Christopher Tynan's passion for wine began several years ago on a 450-mile trek across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago trek. "The journey turned out to be an amazing experience-every night of the journey was spent sharing a meal with other hungry pilgrims from all over the world and that's where I had the 'Now I get it!' understanding of wine's potential to bridge and brighten the lives and cultures it touches," he says.
Shortly after returning to the United States, Christopher left behind his job as General Manager at landmark Celebrations restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico to move to the Napa Valley to pursue his dream of working for a premium winery. First, he worked at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville for a few years, fine tuning his knack for wine and food pairing before taking the leap into the wine business as a lab and cellar intern at Cain Winery in St. Helena. From there, Tynan gained firsthand vineyard experience with GeoVit Vineyard Services, personally monitoring over fifty vineyards per week throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. In 2005, he was given the opportunity to work with the legendary winemaking and viticulture team of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer at Blankiet Estate in Yountville. He joined Colgin Cellars in 2006, working closely with Winemaker Allison Tauziet and Vineyard Manager Davie Abreu to adhere to Ann Colgin's extraordinary standards for excellence in all aspects of the winemaking process. "I'm grateful everyday to get to be living the dream hatched on a dusty hiking trail years ago in Spain," says Tynan. "And working at Colgin Cellars is the icing on the cake," he says.
Beverly Wiles Shotwell, Business and Sales Manager
Beverly has been with Colgin Cellars since 1997 and is an important link to our mailing list clients. She works closely with Ann to coordinate all aspects of the business and ensures that the collaborative effort of the entire team runs smoothly.
As Business Manager and Sales Consultant for Colgin Cellars, Beverly Wiles Shotwell is a key component to the Colgin team, managing everything from day to day operations and finances at Colgin to overseeing the coveted mailing list.
Before joining Colgin in 1997, Beverly pursued a thespian life. She wrote and acted in Hollywood theater for thirteen years, starred in television roles opposite Thomas Hayden Church and Debra Messing and wrote and acted in seven one-woman shows between 1993 and 1997.
She is an avid environmentalist and has been integral to implanting green practices at the winery, from recycling to the purchase of hybrid vehicles.
Beverly is currently studying Italian at Napa Valley College. She traveled to Piedmont in 2002 and 2003 and plans to return to Italy in 2008 to further her passion for and education about Italian wines.
She says she loves calling Napa "home" and is proud to have hiked most of the trails in Napa, Sonoma and Marin.
Sarah Judkins, Hospitality and Public Relations Director
An affinity for food and wine led Colgin Cellars Hospitality and Public Relations Director, Sarah Judkins, on an epicurean odyssey across the United States. Beginning first in her native St. Louis and culminating in the Napa Valley at Colgin Cellars, Sarah coordinates private tastings and events at the winery and manages Colgin Cellars' charity donations.
Her interest in all things culinary was sparked at Tony's restaurant in St. Louis, where, as manager of VIP and private events, Sarah ensured personalized care and attention for special guests at the restaurant under the direction of Chef Vince Bommarito. "Tableside service was a large part of the Tony's philosophy, and it really brought home how essential genuine care for the customer's individual needs are to building and maintaining relationships," she says.
From St. Louis, Sarah moved to Dallas, Texas to work as the Food & Beverage Guest Services Manager for at the Mansion at Turtle Creek. Working under Chef Dean Fearing, Sarah helped to maintain the Mansion's meticulously-detailed customer database and oversaw many of the culinary events at the restaurant. Her increasing passion for food and wine soon brought her to Auberge du Soleil in the Napa Valley. The Auberge Chef at the time, Richard Reddington, introduced Sarah to Ann Colgin and Joe Wender. Her knack for customer service and her intimate knowledge of luxury-level hospitality was immediately apparent to Ann and Joe, and they drafted her to work at Colgin Cellars.
Sarah is an avid runner and snowboarder. She dabbles in mosaic artwork, and while she's proud of her Midwestern roots, is glad to live among the vines of Napa Valley within close distance to Lake Tahoe, one of her favorite snowboarding destinations.
Label design by Tracey Shiffman, Santa Monica, California
Photos provided by Barry Grimes/AD Design Company,
The Robb Report and Misti Layne
Web Site design and allocation software by Bold New World, Los Angeles
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Ann Colgin during vineyard development at IX Estate |
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Joe Wender and David Abreu |
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