Bill and Jane Ballentine of William Cole Vineyards in Saint Helena have appointed “Colonel” Doug Berlogar as their Director of Sales. Doug, formerly a Manager of Reynolds Family Winery in Napa is a native to the valley and has spent over a decade in hospitality in various roles and capacities. In this role Doug will be growing their DTC sales through their allocation only list in Saint Helena and throughout the Country while creating a long-term vision for the future of the brand. Bill and Jane Ballentine are thrilled to have their team completed with another native Napan.
Doug Berlogar BIO
Born and raised in Napa Valley, Doug spent the last 12 years learning, honing and sharing his love for wine, food, fun & all things Napa Valley. His first job was for famed sparkling wine producer Domaine Chandon in Yountville. It was there that he caught the wine bug that brought him to work for Auberge du Soleil and then Dean & DeLuca, where he began doing wine pairings for nearly 70 different Napa Wineries and was featured on television shows “In Your Kitchen” & “In Wine Country”
Doug went on to work for the likes of, Michael Chiarello, Falcor Wine Cellars and most recently, Reynolds Family Winery. Awarded the title of “Colonel” from the Govenor of Kentucky in 2009 for his outstanding accomplishments in wine country, Doug says, “It just goes to show you, you NEVER know who you’re going to meet in this business, which is why you have to show everyone a good time. The most important thing to all of us is that our fellow oenophiles return to share in our passion and celebrate the beauty that is Napa Valley.”
About William Cole:
William Cole Vineyards is one of the Napa Valley’s smallest artisan producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. Tucked away in a historic three story winery, built in 1876 and one of the Valley’s first stone wine cellars.
In 1999, William and Jane Ballentine set out to create a superb Cabernet Sauvignon of outstanding quality. In order to do so, they had to restore their gorgeous building to accommodate such a dream. After several years of restoration, they finally achieved their vision. Inside their 5,000 square foot wine facility, William and Jane run all wine-making and wine-growing of the 3 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon themselves. “Just as a great chef must be present at all stages of his meals preparation, so must a great wine maker.” William has said.
Their 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvee Claire is 80% sourced from their estate vineyard directly in front of their property. The other 20% of Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a select few specific vineyards that William has grown up knowing very well in his families almost 100 year old experience in the Napa Valley.
Crafted like the finest Bordeaux wines; the William Cole Cabernet Cuvee Claire is designed from the start to ensure intensity and ripeness in the wine itself. Intensity with subtly, strength with elegance, and longevity with approachableness; some of the finest wines in this world can stand the test of time as well as give a symphony of flavor and complexity. With only 400 to 500 cases produced each year, and primarily spoken for by collectors and allocation members, William says, “Our wine is all about flavor and feel. We only want to make the best Cabernet Sauvignon possible, and I take every step to make sure that happens with each and every vintage we produce.”
William Cole Vineyards is all about passion to William, his wife Jane, and their two children Cole and Claire. “This is a long term commitment,” William says. “What we don’t achieve in my lifetime for this estate, my children most likely will. We are pleased with what we’ve achieved so far and we’re excited about our children carrying on our family legacy of making fine wine.”
