J VINEYARDS WRAPS UP 2009 HARVEST

J VINEYARDS WRAPS UP 2009 HARVEST
Completed Before Heavy Rains Arrive

HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA — (November 9, 2009) — J Vineyards & Winery wrapped up its 2009 harvest in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley on October 9, and not a moment too soon. It started pouring rain on October 12. Despite the rain, cheers were heard on the winery crush pad with the loudest coming from winemaker George Bursick, a veteran of 31 North Coast harvests.

Bursick looked quite pleased with the overall quality of the fruit and expects to make exceptional wines from the 2009 vintage. He also breathed a sigh of relief, dodging a typhoon-influenced storm that dropped some of the heaviest amounts of rain ever recorded in October in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“It’s a great feeling to have all the grapes in the winery just as the October deluge began,” said Bursick. “The long, cool growing season in our Estate vineyards and throughout our independent grower vineyards provided an excellent opportunity for the grapes to achieve perfect phenolic ripeness and superb fruit flavors,” he added. “Given the samples I’ve tasted so far, I expect 2009 will be another banner year for our Russian River Valley wines.”

For most of the growing season, weather conditions along the Russian River Valley could not have cooperated more fully for vineyard managers. The growing season was generally uneventful, marked by slightly cooler than average temperatures and highlighted by fewer heat spikes in June, July and August. A late burst of heat in September kicked harvest into high gear, and although one rainstorm made its way through Sonoma County the same month, it was just light enough to settle the dust.

J Vineyards viticulturist John Erbe agrees with the assessment. “The overall cool weather combined with warm, but not hot, afternoons allowed the grapes to ripen at a nice, even pace,” he said. “There were no weather issues, and the progress of this harvest, ending before the onset the first major fall storm, proved to be well-timed.”

Erbe added, “This ‘almost perfect’ ripening period produced grapes with uncharacteristically small berries which contributed to ‘low juice-to-skin’ ratios, creating wines of unusual depth and concentration. In most cases, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir berries were less than one-quarter inch in diameter.”

J Vineyards & Winery is unique in that for twenty years, the winery was focused entirely on producing highly acclaimed Russian River Valley sparkling wines. With the arrival of George Bursick in 2006, however, the winery began a program of high-end Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietal wines. There is also a Vin Gris, a Viognier, and a Pinotage in the Russian River Valley portfolio sold exclusively at the winery. A seductive Pinot Gris is made by the winery, although a good portion of the fruit is presently sourced in cool climates outside the Russian River Valley, and this will be the case until additional vines can be planted.

The sparkling wine harvest began in early August, with grapes picked for their optimum acidity and low sugar levels, a necessity in making world-class méthode champenoise. Upon the completion of the sparkling wine harvest, it was then time to pick grapes for J’s signature Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. J’s varietal wine program now represents about fifty percent of the winery’s production, and more than a few lots from the 2009 Harvest are being considered for special single-vineyard designations.

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TASTING J WINES
A visit to the J Vineyards & Winery “Signature Bar” and “Bubble Room” is a must for anyone headed to Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley. J’s two tasting salons are the perfect hip locations to sample the current vintages and catch up on the latest winery news and information. The Signature Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings are $20 per person for a selection of five wines.

The Bubble Room features a three-part seasonal food and wine experience prepared by Executive Chef Mark Caldwell. The menu is designed to highlight the “terroir” of each of the six wines in the pairings. The cost for the Bubble Room tasting is $60 per person and reservations are encouraged.

J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg. For more information call (707) 431-3646 or go to www.jwine.com.

Media Contact:

George Rose

(707) 431-5233

georgerose@jwine.com

Jewels and J

The setting was perfect - a beautiful sunny day in the California wine country, a waterfall flowing into a small stream, leaves turning into their fall colors of purple, lavender, gold, and rose, and an elegant contemporary winery ready for tasting and Dilek Sezen.

Visitors at J Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg were treated to a cornucopia of pleasures on October 17 – Jewels and J – a coupling of brilliant gemstones and extraordinary wines.

Colors shone inside as well. At five stations, wines were paired with jewels of a similar hue. A table of wine-related objects d’art greeted guests as they entered, as did glasses of Chardonnay.

Pinot Gris complemented dazzling South Sea pearls and lustrous pink and white pearls. Brut Rose' partnered with pink shades of fine jewelry.

Upstairs in the hip tasting salon, Dilek displayed and explained rare color gems. Red rubies, sapphires, spinels, and rubelites were paired with Pinot Noir. Brown and champagne color diamonds, brown topaz, and orange zircons were matched with Vintage Brut. Mediterranean-inspired hors d’oeuvres were a delicious addition.

Guests were invited to model the jewelry. And they did - with a wine glass in one hand, a ring or bracelet on the other, and big smiles on their faces. A good time was had by all, and a harmonious relationship was born.

We sincerely thank J Vineyards and Winery for their warm hospitality.

Many thanks to Mandy Scott Flowers: www.mandyscott.com

Please call to arrange a personal appointment: 415.810.1002,

1757 Union Street at Octavia, San Francisco

J VINEYARDS & WINERY TO BECOME EXCLUSIVE SPARKLING WINE SPONSOR OF WELLS FARGO CENTER FOR THE ARTS

50 Mark West Springs Road Santa Rosa California 95403
Box Office: 707-546-3600

For Immediate Release November 10, 2009
Media Contact:
Kristi Buffo, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts - 707-527-7006
George Rose, J Vineyards & Winery - 707- 431-5233

J VINEYARDS & WINERY TO BECOME EXCLUSIVE SPARKLING WINE SPONSOR OF WELLS FARGO CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Santa Rosa, CA (November 10, 2009)—J Vineyards & Winery located in Healdsburg, California in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley is joining Santa Rosa’s community non-profit arts center, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts as its exclusive sparkling wine sponsor. Beginning November 16 with the performance of Champions of the Dance, J’s Méthode Champenoise Cuvée 20 Brut Non-Vintage will be available at all performances, events, and annual fundraising activities. Proceeds from the one-year exclusive partnership, which includes financial and in-kind donation, will benefit the Center’s arts and education programs, including its Education Through the Arts program serving 30,000 students annually.

Founded in 1981, the non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts hosts an impressive 1,000 events with 500,000 patrons and visitors annually. “Their consistent messaging is to enrich, educate and entertain members of this community,” says J Founder & President Judy Jordan. “And I am delighted to share this ambitious vision with Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.”

“We’re excited to offer our patrons the added opportunity to enjoy J’s signature sparkling wine at our performances and events,” says Rick Nowlin, the Arts Center’s executive director, “and, grateful for the generosity of J Vineyards and Winery. Our mission and our programs rely on contributions such as this—enabling us to present world-class performances and education programs serving children and families, and nurture the arts in our community by providing a home for six local performing arts companies.”

Judy Jordan recognizes J Vineyards & Winery’s sponsorship with Wells Fargo Center for the Arts as “the latest in great pairings.” “At J Vineyards & Winery we are committed to providing wines of unparalleled quality and to creating an experience that enhances the lives of our guests,” says Jordan. “Our core values embrace a strong sense of community and we are hopeful J’s sponsorship will promote art, the North Bay community and all the wonderful citizens in this county.”

About J Vineyards & Winery
Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery produces site-specific, cool climate and Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, as well as the highly lauded J Sparkling Wines. J’s Healdsburg Visitor Center has elegantly showcased sparkling and varietal wines with artisanal food pairings since its opening in 1999. The sophisticated contemporary setting offers wine tastings at the signature bar or table service in the private tasting salon…..The Bubble Room.

About Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
A non-profit community arts center, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is home to world-class performances, nationally recognized education programs, contemporary sculpture, and many popular events. The Arts Center is located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country and ranked among California’s top performing arts presenters. Together with its resident companies, the Center presents more than 100 performances each year in music, dance, theater, renowned speakers, and comedy; and education programs serving 30,000 children and adults annually. Owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, the Center relies on charitable community donations to achieve its mission—to enrich, educate, and entertain.

Winner of Best Winery Tasting Room via Sunset Magazine!

Best Winery Tasting Room: J Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg, CA

The vibe: Sleek, artful, and very much about good bubbles with food: On weekends, spring for the sit-down pairing ($60) in the Bubble Room, for inspired food like the "BLT"―foie gras, applewood-smoked bacon, heirloom tomato, and mâche on toast points with the J Brut Rosé. Sips to try: J "Cuvée 20" Brut, J Pinot Gris, and J Robert Thomas Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Extras: Stellar still wines along with the sparklers. $20 tasting fee (5-wine pour); 707/431-3646.

Runners-up: Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla, WA; Robert Sinskey, Napa Valley; Press Club, San Francisco.

J NV Cuvee 20, A Sparkling Choice - Martha Stewart Living!

Made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grown in California’s Russian River valley, this sparkling wine (NV, $20) has bright citrus flavors but a silky texture and doughy notes that give it distinction and complexity.

Matt Lee and Ted Lee, Martha Stewart Living