Owner
Randolph McElroy, Jr.
Growing up on a farm in Goochland,
Randy always had an affinity for agriculture. After over twenty years in the
construction business, Randy wanted to get back to his roots. His love for wine
and the land led him to the wine business.
Randy has created a truly spectacular winery with a focus on exceptional wines and gracious
hospitality. Albemarle County is the home of some of the finest Virginia
wineries. As a native Virginian, it was natural for Randy to choose
Albemarle county to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning a winery. Randolph has
two children Ellie and Edmund.
Interested in learning about the wine industry in the rest of the world, Matthieu set
to traveling and working, first to Italy, then to South Africa, and finally to Virginia
in 2003. After enjoying three years making wine at Afton Mountain Vineyards, Matthieu is
now working as a winemaking consultant to a number of Virginia wineries and is helping
to increase the region's understanding of winemaking by teaching classes for Piedmont
Valley Community College.
Winemaker
Matthieu Finot
With Matthieu’s mother's family of viticulturalists coming from Crozes Hermitage in the Rhone Valley and his father a wine lover,
Matthieu was predisposed to continue his family's pursuit of winemaking and enjoying. At the end of high school Matthieu went to
Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy, to begin his study of viticulture and oenology. After successfully receiving his BTS degree in
viticulture and oenology, Matthieu began to practice his trade in different wine regions around France (including Rhone Valley,
Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, and Jura).
Interested in learning about the wine industry in the rest of the world, Matthieu set to traveling and working,
first to Italy, then to South Africa, and finally to Virginia in 2003. After enjoying three years making wine
at Afton Mountain Vineyards, Matthieu is now working as a winemaking consultant to a number of Virginia wineries
and is helping to increase the region's understanding of winemaking by teaching classes for Piedmont Valley Community College.
General Manager
Wendy Wilson
Born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Wendy has a wealth of experience in selecting fine wines
for both the hospitality industry and fine dining establishments. Her international experience has exposed
her to wines from across the world, which she knowledgeably speaks to in regularly scheduled lectures. In
2003, Wendy made Charlottesville, Virginia her home where she now manages First Colony Winery.
Tasting Room Manager
Martha Soden
Originally from Indiana, Martha came to Virginia in 2001 to attend James Madison University.
During her time there, she studied abroad in Antwerp, Belgium earning a Concentration in European
Business. After graduating with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, she went on to
become a manager in the award-winning dining services program at Virginia Tech. She moved to
Charlottesville and joined the First Colony team as Tasting Room Manager in early April of 2007.