Colgin Replaces Helen Turley with Mark Aubert

Thomas Garrett
Posted: April 15, 1999

Winemaker Mark Aubert is leaving his post at Peter Michael Winery in California to replace Helen Turley at Colgin, maker of Napa Valley cult Cabernets. This isn't the first time Aubert has followed Turley's act; he was also Turley's successor at Peter Michael, where she worked until 1989.

Aubert, who has crafted the highly regarded Peter Michael wines since 1990, will continue to consult for the Knights Valley winery until the end of the year. Peter Michael is known for its vineyard-designated Chardonnays from Sonoma County and Napa Valley as well as its Cabernet-based blend, Les Pavots.

Colgin has garnered accolades for its small-production, deeply concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, which Turley has made since its first vintage in 1992. Turley -- a high-profile California consultant who makes wines for Bryant Family Vineyard, Pahlmeyer, Martinelli and her own Marcassin label -- left Colgin at the beginning of this month.

Ann Colgin, owner of Colgin and head of Sotheby's wine auction department in Los Angeles, said that the two had come to a "mutual feeling that it was time to go our different ways." Though Turley's name has been closely associated with Colgin, she does not own any equity in the winery.

Colgin currently produces 500 cases of wine with grapes purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard in Napa Valley. Its production will almost double once the winery's new 2.5-acre Tychson Hill Vineyard in St. Helena matures.

Along with his move to Colgin, Aubert plans to take on other projects, including the development of his own Aubert Wines brand. He also announced that he will be working for a new Napa Valley winery called Sloan, which will be producing its first Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from its 13-acre estate in 2000.

Aubert indicated that he left Peter Michael to focus on his own project and make a name for himself as a high-profile winemaker. "It is really hard to leave Peter Michael," said Aubert. "But with all the big-name consultants like Helen Turley and Tony Soter slowing down, this is the opportunity to become the next big thing."

For more on Peter Michael Winery and Mark Aubert:

July 31, 1997
Silk and Satin

For more on Colgin:

November 30, 1997
Lady in Red

For more on Helen Turley:

December 15, 1998
California's Progress

August 31, 1995
Ms. Finesse