Our People

James Cole Team

At James Cole, we believe that exceptional wine is best enjoyed with exceptional company. Our close-knit team is more than just hospitality professionals – we're passionate storytellers, dedicated to creating an unforgettable experience for every guest.

OUR TEAM

We believe in fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can discover new wines, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and feel right at home.

Driven by a commitment to excellence and a genuine love for what we do, we strive to provide top-tier hospitality without pretense. We're here to guide you through our portfolio, share our knowledge, and answer your questions, all while ensuring your visit is as enjoyable and memorable as the wines themselves. These are our people.

Our Story

Vineyards

James Harder

James was born and raised in a rural farming community just outside of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). At an early age he would follow his grandfather around on the family ranch and learn the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes with working the land in a family farming business. In 1992, James graduated with a degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia and started in the wine business (with Vincor International), the day after his college graduation. Over the next seven years, he quickly developed a deep passion for the industry, rising from the ranks of sales representative, assistant brand manager, brand manager, marketing director and then Vice President of Marketing. As luck would have it, James’ wine career in Canada resulted in occasional business trips to the Bay Area where he met his future wife, Colleen Cramsie, through a mutual friend.

James moved to San Francisco to be with Colleen just one year from the day they met—they married exactly a year later. It was the year that they married (in 2000) that James & Colleen purchased their 11-acre property on Silverado Trail and went to work on realizing their dreams. Marriage and planting a new vineyard was just the beginning for James that year—he also left the comforts of corporate America to veer off and start his own company with his good friend, Jim Regusci, producing several wines from various parts of the Napa Valley. James has become a highly-regarded, well-respected vintner in the Napa Valley. However spending time with his wife, Colleen, daughter Marleigh and son Tyson, brings him the greatest joy in life.

Colleen Harder

Colleen is a native Californian, born and raised in Whittier (Los Angeles county). After earning her BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, Colleen started her career in direct marketing with a specialization in financial services. After spending a year on-site with a banking client in Canada, Colleen started her own agency in San Francisco with her current business partner, Bara Oscodar. Through the years of Colleen’s demanding and all-consuming work schedule, she often found solace by visiting the Napa Valley. Often retreating to the Valley for a weekend on her own to help reenergize and maintain some level of work/life balance.

Upon meeting James in 1998, she immediately saw the future she had been longing for, but never saw coming to reality. He soon became her husband, best friend and soon-to-be business partner. Just months prior to James and Colleen’s wedding, James took Colleen to the property (now known as James Cole Winery) with the vision that this would be were they would start their family and build their future. So in 2000, they sold their house in San Francisco and then the real work began—starting in the vineyard through to construction plans for the winery. Amidst this adventure, Colleen gave birth to their beautiful little girl, Marleigh, in 2005, and then their baby boy, Tyson, in 2007. Seven years after their journey began, Colleen and James opened the doors to their tasting room on the Silverado Trail in October of 2007.

Dustin Moon

Pronouns
He/Him

What I do at James Cole
Drink wine, describe wine, and entertain guests, but that only encompasses part of the job. In reality, it's to be flexible, wear many hats, and be ready for anything!

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Stories, Cars, Wisdom

Favorite Hobby
My favorite hobby, to no one's surprise who has spent more than ten minutes around me, is cars. I love cruising in them, exploring their limits on track, restoring them to their former glory, and especially detailing them to make them shine!

Favorite James Cole Wine
Hands down, Privado. The complexity that Cabernet Franc brings, coupled with the elegance of Merlot, really speaks to the balance of flavors and texture I desire in a bold red wine.

Favorite Food Pairing
My favorite wine pairing has to be Il Mostro with slow smoked, baby back ribs. The way the dark fruits and spice of the wine pairs with the savory flavors of the ribs is pure comfort food decadence.

Favorite Album
This is quite a hard choice, but if I'm being honest and since "Greatest Hits" albums were not against the rules, it's got to be Journey's Greatest Hits. I know all the words to every song and still listen to this album in my car alone, singing at the top of lungs!

Kate Kalinowski

Pronouns
She/Her

What I do at James ColeI give guests an educational yet playful wine experience, set in the beautiful and magical estate of James Cole winery. They enjoy elegant wines that marry both styles of the old and new world, with the guidance of a hospitable sommelier.

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Intellectual, compassionate, and reliable

Favorite Hobby
Tennis

Favorite James Cole Wine
Privado for everyday, but if I’m in the mood to make it fancy, then Suede.

Favorite Food Pairing
Il Mostro with bacon wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese.

Favorite Album
The 2007 Studio Album by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Patrick Kotary

Pronouns
He/Him

What I do at James Cole
I get to work with the coolest people in Napa Valley, sharing our amazing creations with the world.

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Silly, caffeinated, empathetic.

Alyssa

Pronouns
She/Her

What I do at James Cole
Creatively promoting some of the best wines in the Napa Valley!

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Easygoing, unserious, kind

Favorite Hobby
Reading and cycling

Favorite James Cole Wine
I’m a Cab Franc lover, so definitely Privado. Mud’s Kitchen is a close second.

Favorite Food Pairing
Anything with goat cheese and Rosé

Favorite Album
The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy. I love the hard-hitting electronic production paired with the chaotic punk vocals. RIP Keith Flint.

Ed Feuchuk

Pronouns
He/Him

What I do at James Cole
I get to support a group of amazing people make, serve, and sell beautiful wines.

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Like being useful.

Favorite Hobby
Wild, reckless travel.

Favorite James Cole Wine
2005 Malbec

Favorite Food Pairing
Malbec and roasted lamb neck.

Favorite Album
Easy Living by Paul Desmond

Bertus van Zyl

Pronouns
He/Him

What I do at James Cole
I manage all of the winemaking activities from grape to bottle with our awesome cellar team. I also work closely with our vineyard management partners at the estate and our grower partners to ensure we receive the highest quality grapes for our program.

My Vibe in 3 Words:
Adventurous, Curious, Positive

Favorite Hobby
Hiking

Favorite James Cole Wine
Each of the James Cole wines hold a special place in my heart. These winter months had me reaching for Privado and Umbral though I am very excited about the release of the 2021 Pinot Noir.

Favorite Food Pairing
I am a sucker for butter basted rib-eye steak with fresh thyme with any of our wines.

Favorite Album
Allman Brothers Band - Eat A Peach