Jérôme Aubin

Owner 

Jerome Aubin, owner of Artisan Barrels & Tanks, possesses extensive experience in the cooperage and winemaking industries. He previously established and managed the American subsidiary of a leading French cooperage from the Cognac region, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the barrel trade through collaborations with coopers and winemakers in both France and California. Mr. Aubin holds a BA in Business (International Trade) from the Paris School of Business and a Master of Strategic Management for Medium-sized Firms from the University of Reims, located in the Champagne region of France.

Driven by a desire to deepen his understanding of winemaking and viticulture, he augmented his formal education with courses at Santa Rosa Junior College and participated in numerous harvests in Napa and Sonoma, working alongside esteemed winemakers and consultants. From 2001 until 2016, Mr. Aubin has also produced wine under his own label, Verve for Aubin Cellars, crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from select cool-climate vineyards in California and the Pacific Northwest, including those in the Russian River, Alexander Valley, and Willamette Valley appellations.
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Mr. Aubin's primary responsibilities at Artisan Barrels & Tanks encompass general management and business development. He also maintains strong relationships with a portfolio of key clients in the prominent wine-producing regions of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Oregon, and Southern California.

​Phillip Taratko

Pacific NW, Canada, East Coast, Greater Northern California

Phillip joined the team at Artisan Barrels & Tanks at the end of 2021. Prior to this, his experience was in winemaking in Oregon and New Zealand. Phillip has extensive experience in the wine cellar as well as out in the vineyard. He has worked as Associate winemaker, Cellar Master, and Vineyard Technician at a several reputable wineries and vineyards.

His education was split between the University of Oregon, and Université Lyon 3 Jean Moulin in Lyon, France. His degree focused on business management, romance languages, and comparative literature. Phillip has also completed sommelier certifications, and has much experience in hosting wine tastings.
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Phillip’s main sales territories are Northern California, the Pacific North West, Canada, and the East coast of the United States. 

  Artisan Barrels & Tanks, Inc. also includes two employees to help with the growth of the sales agency ​​​

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Tina Milliken

Nicole Merciari

Office Manager
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Logistics Manager

Tina Milliken our office manager is responsible for running our Oakland hills office and all facets of the business including accounting, barrels sales support, and wine sales. 

Nicole Merciari our logistics manager also assists with barrels sales support and marketing. She works very closely with Tina Milliken in our Oakland Hills office.

                                                                                          
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Artisan Barrels is the exclusive United States representative for Tonnellerie Rousseau of Burgundy and Artisan Barrels Selection, sourcing from France, Hungary, and the USA. We also proudly represent Nomblot of Burgundy, manufacturers of concrete tanks; Lejeune of Bordeaux, specializing in stainless-steel tanks; Clayver of Italy, Biopythos of France and Novum of Oregon are all producers of ceramic (stoneware, porcelain and terracotta) amphorae/jars. 


We focus on supplying North American wineries with premium oak barrels, tanks, casks, puncheons, and small barrels, handcrafted in France, Hungary, and the US by Artisan coopers, as well as boutique concrete and stainless-steel tanks from esteemed manufacturers in France. We are committed to providing personalized service to winemakers through individual barrel tastings, evaluations, and consultations. All our barrels are guaranteed for one year, with local coopers providing prompt repairs and maintenance. Nomblot tanks are guaranteed for 5 years (2 years on fittings), while our stainless-steel Lejeune tanks and Rousseau French oak tanks & casks are guaranteed for 2 years.


With an emphasis on service and a commitment to superior wine ageing, Artisan Barrels & Tanks is dedicated to delivering the highest quality oak, concrete, and stainless-steel tanks, ceramic vessels, and fine oak barrels, all reflecting an artisanal philosophy and approach.