News

Napa Valley winery Colgin Cellars appoints new COO

10 August 2023 By James Evison

LVMH-controlled cult Napa winemaker Colgin Cellars has announced Neil Bernardi as its chief operating officer.

The move will see Bernardi, who is a seasoned executive with over twenty years of leadership experience in the wine industry, oversee the overall operations of the business, and report directly to chairwoman and founder Ann Colgin and CEO Joe Wender.

Previously, Bernardi was the vice president and general manager of The Duckhorn Portfolio’s Kosta Browne, Canvasback, and Goldeneye wineries. Bernardi holds a B.A. in Italian and a B.S. in viticulture and enology from UC Davis and is currently a stage three Master of Wine student. He has served on the board of directors and as a guest lecturer for Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute.

Founded by Ann Colgin in 1992, a 60% controlling stake was sold to the LVMH Group in 2017, with the remaining 40% equity in the business held by Colign and Joe Wender, who maintained their leadership roles. Through the strategic partnership, the brand sits within LVMH’s Vins d’Exception Group, which includes Château Cheval Blanc, Château d’Yquem, and Domaine du Clos des Lambrays.

Colgin Cellars’ reputation was originally rooted in four wines – Tychson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariad Napa Valley red, IX Estate Napa Valley red, and IX Estate Syrah — and is located at the northern end of IX Estate in the Pritchard Hill area of Napa Valley, offerings views of Lake Hennessey.

Colgin said of Bernardi’s appointment: “Selectivity defines all our decisions at Colgin Cellars; Neil’s thoughtful, precise leadership approach similarly reflects this. Neil’s diverse skillset, with proven experience as an executive, winemaker, and winegrower, is truly an asset to Colgin’s small, nimble team. We look forward to his stewardship of the winery, serving as a collaborative force in maintaining and continuing the vision to craft wines of the highest caliber that, at their heart, bring people together and inspire memories, with the same focus, passion, and reverence that guided our first thirty years.”

Bernardi said: “What Ann and Joe have accomplished at Colgin Cellars is extraordinary. In only three decades, their passion and dedication have established Colgin Cellars not only as one of America’s greatest wineries but also as an elite producer shoulder-to-shoulder with benchmark cabernet producers the world over. I am honored to join such an accomplished team and to assist in building upon the winery’s legacy of excellence.”