Fifth generation Taplins founded Taplin Cellars in 2011 to share the magic that this valley holds. By 2016 they incorporated the next generation into the board responsible for long-term planning.
To manage the short-term, the Taplins work with a talented team: vineyard managers Doug Wight and Erik Dodd; winemaker Julien Fayard; and general manager Sylvia Taplin.
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Stephen grew up in St. Helena in a home where eating good food and chatting after a meal were part of daily life. He spent his career practicing medicine and doing National Institute of Health (NIH) funded research, before working at NIH. Now that he is back in his hometown, he is pleased to volunteer with the St. Helena Historical Society and explore the rich history of the Napa Valley. When he can carve out time from volunteering and working with his family on the winery, Stephen can be found sculpting stone. He has pursued this art for over 20 years, and several of his works adorn the Taplin property. Throughout his life, the perfect way to end the day has been those moments when interesting work, great food, and fine wine intersect and lead to memorable conversation after a meal.
Bill is proud of his family history. He takes after his father, Ken Taplin, and his great-grandfather Harvey Lewelling, and enjoys woodworking and tinkering with all things mechanical. Bill maintains a collection of old farm machinery and a pair of antique motorcycles, as well as a mechanical and woodworking shop. As an engineer in a large, international engineering firm, Bill uses his talents to design and build water treatment plants, as well as keep the ranch and winery running on all cylinders. He also devotes time to his fruit trees and vegetable garden, because he loves to cook and enjoys seeking interesting wine and food pairings.
Adam is pleased to represent his generation of Taplins in the business. When not pursuing his career leading design teams for a global digital business transformation agency, he can be found with his family in and around the vineyards, soaking up every moment of life on the ranch. He enjoys the variety this brings – one moment monitoring water meters, the next tasting cabernet blends for a future release. Along with his wife, Toni, Adam is currently in learning mode and looking forward to shaping the future of the business as it unfolds over time.
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers, producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, bringing out what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil, and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence. Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for several years before launching his own projects. Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business from ESA France and his Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France, and in 2011, he received his MBA from UC Davis.
Julien shares our outlook on making wine. Growing up in a French winery family, he trained in classical Old-World winemaking before striking out for the new world of Napa Valley terroir. Julien works closely with us and our vineyard management team to craft our wine with a minimalist’s grace. Instead of forcing the wine with aggressive intervention, he prefers to coax it along and let the site speak for itself.
Hailing from west Sonoma, Peter has worked in almost every facet of the hospitality industry. He first learned to cook at a small Italian restaurant and later received a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University after a tour serving with the Marines.
Cooking for fine dining establishments in Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco, Peter quickly worked his way up the ranks to Sous Chef before shelving his knives to manage front of the house operations. Having a passion for all things food and beverage he has returned to Napa to pour some good wine with the great guests who visit. His enthusiasm for the valley and its offerings come through in his personal experience and storytelling.
This is Roger. He mostly naps, but occasionally protects us from squirrels during vineyard walks.
