Monday, October 25, 2010

J VINEYARDS & WINERY 2010 HARVEST COMES TO A CLOSE!

HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA— (October 25, 2010) — J Vineyards & Winery concluded its 2010 wine harvest last Friday, and not a moment too soon. Early fall rains drenched most of Northern California over the weekend, bringing an end to a most unusual grape-growing season.

“We beat the rains,” said J Winemaker George Bursick. “The irony is that for all the anguish about a late season, we managed to end four days earlier than last year.”

A final load of grapes from Jewell Vineyard in Sebastopol, destined for J’s Russian River Valley Chardonnay, made its way into the winery just as the skies let loose.

“Although harvest started late, the long hang time during a mostly cool summer played an important role in building great acidity and delicious flavors,” said Bursick. “We had to pick around some ripening issues in the vineyard, and crop tonnage is lower than average, but 2010 is going to be another superb year for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers.”

With J’s varietal Chardonnay settling into a slow winter-long “bâtonnage,” (a sur-lie barrel aging technique), and Pinot Noir wines still moving through barrel fermentation, a quick survey of pulled samples reveals a vintage packed with rich color, ripe flavors, and balanced acidity.

Martin Guzman, J Production Director, is happy about the pinot noir wine quality.

The grape harvest for J’s sparkling wines was completed three weeks ago as those grapes are picked at lower sugar and higher acidity levels.

J Vineyards & Winery, located on Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg, focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris varietal wines, produced from grapes farmed primarily within Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation.

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery. J will begin celebrating its 25th Anniversary next year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, please call (707) 431-3646, or go to www.jwine.com.
 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Daenna Van Mulligan, aka The Wine Diva, Presents Favorable Reviews of J Wines from Vancouver, BC!

October 21, 2010


Healdsburg, Russian River Valley, California

A welcome addition to the wines from Sonoma currently available in the Canadian market, J Vineyards recently made its debut into BC and is already making a splash at private wine stores and select restaurants.

Making wines for more than 20 years, J Vineyards' focus is on traditionally made sparkling wines made from: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as single varietal wines such as: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

The J Vineyards project began in 1986 by Judy Jordan. Initially it was proposed as an outlet for making traditional method sparkling wines - a project that began at Judy Jordan's father's winery in Alexander Valley - Jordan.

Recently I tasted the entire line-up of wines that are now available in Canada and can safely say I was very pleased with them all. All present purity of fruit, they are generous and polished and extremely approachable.

J Cuvee 20 Brut NV is 49% Chardonnay with 49% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Meunier. This is an extremely fragrant sparkler floral, exotic citrus, Asian pear and star anise aromas that lead you to expect a sweeter palate. It is creamy and bright with a very dry, crisp finish. $30+

J Rose Brut NV is mostly Pinot Noir with 44 % Pinot Meunier. Vibrant berries, citrus and a suggestion of exotic spice. The palate is a bit firmer than the Cuvee 20, nice richness and finesse with a long creamy finish. $40.+

J California Pinot Gris, 2009 is made from grapes harvested in Clarksburg, Russian River Valley and Monterey. It is aromatic and very inviting with plenty of pear compote and citrus peel throughout. There is a hint of spiciness on the finish and a lingering mouthful of crisp citrus and creamy pear. Delicious. $25+

J Russian River Chardonnay, 2007 is a nice juxtaposition of creamy caramel oak and vibrant fruit. Buttery sweet caramel and citrus with melon aromas flow into a creamy spiced palate that lacks no fresh fruit. Very balanced, if you like oak in your Chard you'll like this one, if you don't like oak in your Chard you'll probably still like it. $45+

J Russian River Pinot Noir, 2007 the focus in making this Pinot Noir is a multi-step (triage) system to remove any unwanted unripe/overripe or stems before fermenting to ensure pure fruit flavours. And it has been achieved - the fruit is pristine, sweet berries and violets, hints of warm fruitcake spice and chocolate. It is velvety on the palate and far too quaffable to sit around for long. $50+


- Daenna Van Mulligan, aka The Wine Diva

Thursday, October 14, 2010

J VINEYARDS & WINERY DEBUTS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN: “A LEGACY THAT SPARKLES”


J VINEYARDS & WINERY DEBUTS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN:
“A LEGACY THAT SPARKLES”

HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA — October 14, 2010 — Russian River Valley wine producer J Vineyards & Winery is set to debut its first national education and awareness advertising campaign this fall. The ad campaign will appear in two November print issues of the Wine Spectator and on the publication’s website.

“A Legacy That Sparkles,” is a full-page ad that speaks to the winery’s 25 years of sparkling wine, and focuses on the winery’s official debut of its Russian River Valley estate chardonnay and pinot noir wines in their new package.

“We are two wineries under one roof,” says J Vineyards & Winery Founder and President Judy Jordan. “Our legacy is, and always will be, J sparkling wine. Our future, however, lies in the exquisite varietal wines produced from our ten estate vineyards.”

The Wine Spectator was chosen as the platform to launch the ad campaign because of the publication’s dominant demographics among savvy wine consumers, restaurant wine buyers, and influential wine trade readers. Accompanying the print advertising will be a month-long online presence at
winespectator.com. The online ads have been designed to direct consumers to J’s website.

J Vineyards & Winery, located on Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg, focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris varietal wines, produced from grapes farmed primarily within Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation.

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery. J will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary next year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, please call (707) 431-3646, or go to
jwine.com.