Colgin Story - Colgin Journey

Inspired by History, Forging the Future

For nearly three decades, Colgin Cellars has been dedicated to enriching and sustaining the hallowed history of Napa Valley wine production. Our goal has been to craft elegant and profound wines that inspire memories.

Since 1992, Colgin Cellars navigates the exciting future of Napa Valley wine with the same focus, passion, and reverence that guided our first thirty years.

Colgin Cellars produces exquisitely handcrafted red wines using only the finest neo-classical winemaking methods in concert with small yields, gentle handling, attentive sorting, and meticulous blending.

Credit, James Altman, for last photo.

1988: Ann Colgin attends Napa Valley Wine Auction and falls in love with the Napa Valley

1992: Ann sources fruit from the Herb Lamb vineyard to craft her first wine

1995: The first vintage of Colgin is released

1996: Ann purchases a historic vineyard site originally planted in 1861, re-planted in 1881, later removed in early 1900s

1997: Ann replants 3.5 of the original acres at her historic property and names it Tychson Hill, in honor of Josephine Tychson who owned and farmed the property in the 1880s

1998: Ann Colgin and Joe Wender purchase a 125-acre parcel over-looking Lake Hennessey and begin planting a 20-acre vineyard as well as building the winery facility

1999: The first vintage of “Cariad” is produced

2000: Ann Colgin marries Joe Wender on 09/09 at the newly named IX Estate

2000: The first vintage of “Tychson Hill” is produced

2000: Vines are planted at IX Estate including 4 acres planted to Syrah

2002: The first vintage of “IX Estate” and “IX Estate” Syrah is produced

2005: Colgin named “One of the Fifty Greatest Wine Estates in the World” by Robert M. Parker

2007: Colgin adds a one-acre parcel at the top of Tychson Hill

2014: Colgin adds a two-acre parcel to the southern end of Tychson Hill

2016: Colgin celebrates their 25th vintage

2017: Colgin Cellars becomes a strategic partner with LVMH and Bernard Arnault, and a member of Vins de Exception alongside Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau D’Yquem and Domaine du Clos des Lambrays

Ann Colgin, Founder & Co-CEO

Joe Wender, Co-CEO

Paul Roberts, COO & Master Sommelier

Allison Tauziet, Director of Winemaking

In 2017 we agreed to the exciting opportunity to become a strategic partner of the LVMH group. The only American wine label to be part of their Vins de Exception Group, Colgin Cellars is included with Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau D’Yquem, and Domaine du Clos des Lambrays. We are honored to be partnered alongside these historic properties as we work to produce incredible wine from some of the most exciting wine regions in the world.