The Unfiltered Collection is the national sales division of JH Wine Consulting that builds high-quality, small-production winery brands from around the world and establishes distribution channels within the US and abroad. The wine portfolio is hand-crafted by the world-renowned winemaker Jean Hoefliger -- each wine highlights a different story and expression of a terroir that portrays its raw sense of time and place with a unique style characterized by long, natural, open-top barrel fermentation. The Unfiltered Collection provides a unified and more marketable voice for the smaller wineries that we work hand in hand with to capture the creativity and craftsmanship of our efforts. The team believes that wines resemble their makers, and if you know Jean Hoefliger, you understand the unfiltered nature of this portfolio.
WINEMAKER
Jean Hoefliger
Jean Hoefliger is a man with a quixotic mission: He is inspired and driven by the quest for creative perfection while knowing full well that it is impossible to achieve. An artisan who has always been motivated to push the envelope, Jean relies on a commitment to constant scientific research matched by open-minded, entrepreneurial creativity. With his background in law and international finance and decades of wine industry experience—from Bordeaux and South Africa to Spain, Italy and California—Jean brings to his clients a rare combination of expertise in winemaking, viticulture and real-world business acumen. JH Wine Consulting includes everything Jean Hoefliger loves, from managing farming decisions to crafting world-class wines to managing cellar operations, advising on business strategies and even building and implementing the sales structure for clients. Jean and his team’s passion, knowledge, scientific training and innate ability put them in a unique position to take the best grapes worldwide and transform them into wines and brands worthy of global standing.
PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL SALES
Eric Sothern
Upon graduating from Cornell University, Eric worked in San Francisco’s vibrant restaurant industry for several years before following the call to work in the wine industry. A seasoned wine executive, Eric led sales and marketing efforts for Robert Sinskey Vineyards and the Bespoke Collection before spending six years as Commercial Director of Rhys Vineyards. Eric holds a diploma with merit from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and is a certified WSET instructor. Eric balances his unbounded passion for food, wine and business with similar devotion to family, tennis, guitar and fitness.
WESTERN SALES MANAGER
Brian Sales
Brian graduated from CSU Chico State in 2001, and after a misguided attempt into the Accounting Profession, he found his way into the familiar walls of the restaurant industry. It was here that he discovered his passion for great food, hospitality, and even better wine. Once the obsession with wine had taken root, there was no turning back on his decision to pursue a career within the wine industry. After passing the Certified Sommelier exam in 2010 and CSW shortly thereafter, he began his career in wine sales at The Estates Group of Young’s Market in Northern California. Brian has also held roles as Regional Sales Manager for VINTUS and Treasury Wine Estates before finding a home at The Unfiltered Collection as the Western Regional Sales Manager. He is excited to be a part of the TUC team and the future of these amazing wines.
CONSULTANT
Chelsea Bellows
Chelsea completed her undergraduate degree in Business and Communication at the University of the Pacific. She moved to Napa Valley in 2006, starting at Alpha Omega weeks after it opened, immersing herself in every aspect of the wine industry. From all parts of DTC tasting room hospitality, shipping, wine club, events, and investor management, she worked closely with all departments. Before getting her MBA in 2014, Chelsea took over as national sales manager, spending five years on the road educating, selling and positioning the brand across the country.
It was at Alpha Omega that Chelsea and Jean Hoefliger met, and upon her departure, they decided to partner in both business and life. Following their experience working together, Chelsea has put her passion to work in assisting Jean’s clients to find and fine-tune their vision. She helps wine producers plan their placement in the market and develop the accompanying strategy, forecasting and operational systems to take them there. Among work with clients like AXR and The Debate, Chelsea has stepped in to assist The Unfiltered Collection with a long-term strategy on the market for clients.