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A Follow-Up to Our 1999 Interview with (August 12, 2001) This week, I chatted briefly with Napa Valley winemaker Mark Aubert about what's been going on in his career since our 1999 interview. Here's a brief rundown. I'll be expanding this section soon, when we both have a little more time. APJ: So what's doing, Mark? How is Aubert Wines coming along? MA: It's coming along very well. In 2000 my wife and I bought a 7 acre chardonnay vineyard on the Vine Hill appellation near Forestville-Sonoma. It's planted to 4 old clones of chardonnay—Hudson, Hyde, Calera Corton-Charlemagne, and Mt. Eden selections. We're really excited about the quality of the vineyard and our first harvest will be in 2002. APJ: Anything else? MA: Plenty! In the same appellation—just down the street from our vineyard—I've planted another 6 acres of chardonnay and 1.5 acres of pinot noir. The chardonnay clones are Mt.Eden, Hudson and a very special selection from Le Montrachet. The pinot is from a famous source in Vosne-Romanee. APJ: What's been happening at Peter Michael since you left them? [NOTE: Mark was the full-time winemaker at Peter Michael Winery—famed for their Sonoma Chardonnays—until 1999, when he made the jump to consultant and producer.] MA: We're still closely connected. They asked me to consult with them and we've hired Luc Morlet to be winemaker in charge. He was formerly with Newton. Also, Peter Michael Winery has agreed to sell Aubert Wines 5 to 7 tons of chardonnay from their estate vineyards. APJ: What about the Sloan start-up? MA: I oversaw a high-quality 2000 vintage, but as of April of this year, I did not renew my winemaking role. Working at Sloan was just taking too much time away from Colgin and my new Chardonnay plantings. APJ: Speaking of Colgin, what's happening there? MA: We've started construction on Colgin's new winery. It's a very innovative design utilizing gravity feed, a two tier grape sorting system—and what a view of the hills around Napa Valley! Also, we've just finished grafting 20 acres of new estate vineyard around the winery. APJ: What kind of vines? MA: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot—even 3 acres of Syrah. APJ: Mark, thanks so much for the update. Let's talk again soon. CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information about Aubert Wines, write to: Aubert Wines, P.O. Box 828, Calistoga, CA 94515-0828 or send an email by clicking here. CLICK HERE to go to the 1999 Mark Aubert Interview Back to interviews contents page
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