Helen Turley Wines

The name Helen Turley is synonymous with greatness, toughness, and ingenuity in Napa Valley’s fine wine scene. Hailing from a non-drinking family in Georgia, Turley made her way to the California coast in the 1970s and has held a lifelong career as an influential winemaker and “superconsultant." Her 2019 induction into the California Hall of Fame cemented her status as one of wine’s most important figures, leaving a long-lasting imprint on Napa’s top wine estates.  

From Cornell to Mondavi: Helen Turley Winemaker

Studying biology and chemistry at Cornell University gave Helen Turley the perfect foundation to make world-class wines and tend to vineyards. Though her family did not drink alcohol, Turley fell in love with wine during her time in New York. After marrying her husband John Wetlaufer, the pair packed up their belongings and moved to California’s famed Napa Valley to pursue careers in wine. After doing various work in labs for wineries, Turley landed a job at the famed Robert Mondavi Winery in 1977. By working in the lab, she learned the fine details that went into each bottle and picked up a few tips on promoting a wine brand from Napa’s top businessman, Robert Mondavi. Eventually, Turley worked at Chappellet Winery in a similar position before moving to Kentucky for a few years, then returning to Napa in the 80s. 

Helen Turley Wines

The renowned winemaker has worked on some of Napa’s most iconic wines, including Bryant Family, Pahlmeyer, Peter Michael Winery, Colgin Cellars, Kapcsandy, and more. Her experience as a head winemaker began in the mid-1980s, leading the charge at the famed BR Cohn Winery. Founded in 1984, Turley worked with the estate founder and Doobie Brothers manager, Bruce Cohn, to shed any doubts about the estate’s seriousness, receiving 93 points from Robert Parker for the inaugural Cabernet Sauvignon. Next, Turley moved to Peter Michael Winery in 1987, transforming the winery into one of Napa’s most prolific estates. As the founding winemaker, she helped to mold California’s distinct style of Chardonnay in Knights Valley. Additionally, Turley grew the brand’s flagship label, Les Pavots, based on a blend of red Bordeaux varietals.

After leaving Peter Michael Winery in 1989, Turley entered the 90s and began her “superconsultant” era, when she specialized in consulting on young, growing estates across Napa looking to break into the region’s emerging cult status. Her most impactful consulting gig was at the Bryant Family estate, which had been in operation for a few years, but had yet to break into Napa’s mainstream. Enter Turley, who took Bryant Family wines to unseen heights, rapidly making the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon into Napa’s newest cult wine. Her work for the winery began in 1992 and lasted an impressive ten years. With the help of her husband, the pair oversaw the replanting of the estate’s vineyards and created the monumental 1994 vintage, in which Robert Parker described the wine saying, “I predict this wine will turn out to be a legend!” Unfortunately for both parties, the relationship became muddied at the end of 2002 when Turley and Wetlaufer sued the estate for a breach of contract. She was later awarded $250,000 in unpaid salary.

While working at Bryant Family in the 90s, Turley also consulted Colgin Cellars and Pahlmeyer, where she had a similar impact. In 1992, Turley met Ann Colgin and helped secure a parcel of grapes from Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain. That year’s inaugural vintage became highly acclaimed, setting a standard for Colgin Cellars as a Napa powerhouse.

Completing the trinity for Turley’s 90s consultancy was her work at Pahlmeyer, where she worked from 1990 to 1999. During her time at the estate, Turley urged Jayson Pahlmeyer to acquire his own vineyards rather than procure grapes from negociants. She stated, “If you want to be a First Growth, you have to have your own vineyards.” As a result, Pahlmeyer acquired five vineyards across Napa Valley, blending grapes from different terroirs to create a special Proprietary Red Blend. Ironically, it was the acquisition of many vineyards that drove Turley away from the project, who felt Pahlmeyer was becoming too ambitious of a project for her. 

Helen Turley’s Marcassin Winery

In 1991 Turley and her husband opened up Marcassin Winery on the coveted Sonoma Coast. At the start, many criticized the winery’s opening, believing the climate was too cold to grow wines of any worth. However, like many other times in her career, Turley was two steps ahead of the game and knew there was great value in the terroir. 
Marcassin wines have been compared to the greatest Grand Cru wines of Burgundy by Robert Parker and were even called “Burgundy’s lost Grand Cru” by Stephen Tanzer of Vinous. Through low production, an exclusive mailing list, and little to no marketing, the brand has created an aura of extreme mystery. Only 2,500 cases are produced each vintage, making acquiring the special Pinot Noir and Chardonnay a prize for collectors. 

Helen Turley Winemaking Genius

“She insists on high-density plantings, low yields, harvesting at 24-25 degrees Brix, whole-cluster pressing, wild-yeast fermentations, new heavy-toast French oak barrels, and letting Chardonnay sit on the lees for a year.”
- Decanter Magazine

Helen Turley’s singular winemaking style and focused, perfectionist attitude have allowed her to create some of Napa Valley’s greatest wines and help shape the region as a mecca in fine wine. From her own Marcassin to the iconic Bryant Family, Turley’s imprint on Napa will never fade and her bottles will live on for decades. Explore our collection of Helen Turley wines and experience what truly sets this winemaker apart from the rest!