Press Release: Tablas Creek Vineyard Announces New Winemaking Leadership, Promoting Chelsea Franchi and Craig Hamm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paso Robles, CA — Tablas Creek Vineyard is pleased to announce a new chapter in its winemaking leadership, promoting Chelsea Franchi to Director of Winemaking and Craig Hamm to Winemaker. The promotions reflect the continued growth of the estate's production team and a long-planned transition that positions two longtime Tablas Creek leaders at the forefront of the cellar.
Both Franchi and Hamm have spent their careers at Tablas Creek developing deep knowledge of the estate's vineyards, wines, and philosophy.
Chelsea Franchi joined Tablas Creek while studying Agricultural Business and Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly, beginning in the tasting room before moving into the cellar after graduating in 2008. She was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in 2009 and has been a central figure in planning, management, and cellar leadership ever since. In 2020, she was recognized by her peers as Paso Robles Cellar Worker of the Year. As Director of Winemaking, Franchi will oversee all cellar operations, guiding the winemaking team through harvest, blending, and bottling while continuing Tablas Creek's focus on transparency and education through her long-running Notes from the Cellar blog series.
Craig Hamm, promoted to Winemaker, brings more than a decade of hands-on experience at Tablas Creek. A Templeton native, Hamm grew up working in his family's vineyard before gaining cellar experience at Meridian and Justin. Since joining Tablas Creek in 2013, he has become an indispensable member of the production team, known for his attention to detail, calm leadership during harvest, and familiarity with the winery's native fermentation program. In his new role, Hamm will play a lead part in day-to-day winemaking decisions and the execution of Tablas Creek's cellar operations.
Supporting this transition, longtime Winemaker Neil Collins will step into the role of Director of Production, reflecting his expanded focus on both vineyard and cellar operations. Collins has served as Tablas Creek's Winemaker since 1998 and has played a key role in shaping the estate's farming and winemaking philosophy. His new position allows him to concentrate on long-term production strategy while supporting the next generation of leadership.
"I have considered it a great honor to be the winemaker at Tablas Creek Vineyard over the past couple of decades." Said Collins. "One of the things that I have taken great pride in is the building of a great cellar team. I cannot imagine hands that I would feel better about passing the reins to than Chelsea's. For 18 years, we have worked side by side; she is irreplaceable to me. Craig has worked with us for 13 years and is accomplished in the cellar, of course, but much more than that. He brings creativity and a great drive to always push the wines to the next level; he is smart, ambitious, and driven. These two, with the help of assistant winemaker Amanda Collins and Cellar Master Kaitlyn Glynn, will without question bring our wines to new heights of excellence. I'll watch with pride and pleasure. Neil.”
The new leadership structure ensures continuity while recognizing the contributions of a team that has grown together over many harvests, positioning Tablas Creek for its next era of winemaking.
About Tablas Creek Vineyard
Founded in 1989 as a partnership between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard is a pioneer of Rhône varieties in California and a leader in regenerative organic farming in Paso Robles.
