J News You Can Use

J Brut Rosé - A Top Sparkling Pick by Sunset Magazine

2012-01-24T10:20:00.000-08:00

J Brut Rosé, Russian River Valley

Rich and toasty, with tangy red fruit-raspberries, cranberries-and a resiny underbrush layer!

ABOUT J

Foundedin 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-ownedSonoma County winery. The Winery continues its 25th Anniversary celebration.

JVineyards & Winery focuses on non-vintage Brut, Vintage Brut, and Brut Rosésparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estatevarietal wines, all produced from grapes farmed primarily within SonomaCounty’s Russian River Valley appellation.

TheJ Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center and Bubble Room is located at 11447 OldRedwood Highway, south of Healdsburg. To learn more, or to join the J WineClub, go to www.jwine.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook.

J Vineyards & Winery Attains Certified Sustainable Status

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

Sonoma County just got a little greener. J Vineyards & Winery, specialists in Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wines, has achieved certified sustainable status through the California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance (CSWA). The sustainable certification covers all vineyard and winery operations.

J Vineyards & Winery, located minutes south of Healdsburg, owns ten estate vineyards sprinkled throughout the Russian River Valley, totaling more than 250 acres of planted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris grapes.

John Erbe

“For the past two years, we’ve been diligently working on aligning J with CSWA’s commitment to wine quality,” said John Erbe, J Vineyards & Winery Viticulturalist. “Our estate vineyards have been planted utilizing the latest techniques in water conservation, wildlife habitat corridors, and soil erosion reduction.”

J Canfield Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Founded in 2010, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance program is a third-party verification and certification process maintained by CSWA. The program, based on 227 “best practices,” is designed to ensure environmental stewardship, the conservation of energy and natural resources, and socially equitable business practices. CSWA’s certification program has been a positive environmental awareness catalyst for more than 1,500 of the State’s top vintners and growers.

Judy Jordan

“Reducing, reusing and recycling is not just a slogan at J,” says Judy Jordan, Founder and President. “This has been my vision for J since its founding 25 years ago. The business practices we have implemented over the past three years are keys to a healthier future.”

Some of the green initiatives J has embarked on include:

• The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and cover-crop programs throughout the winery’s ten estate vineyards as a means to protect riparian habitats. IPM methods are also used to build soil tilth while attracting beneficial insects.

• Replacing all inefficient incandescent lights throughout the winery with new, high-intensity, lower energy lighting.

• Recycling all paper, corks, and glass used throughout the winery.

J Recycling

• Reducing water used throughout the winegrowing and winemaking process.

• The computerization of refrigeration compressors to reduce energy consumption, coupled with energy-efficient cooling towers.

• Replacing existing water boilers with higher-efficiency heaters that work in stages.

• A reduction in the weight of our sparkling and varietal wine bottles.

• Using low VOC paints throughout the winery.

ABOUT J

Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery. The Winery is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

J Vineyards & Winery focuses on non-vintage Brut, Vintage Brut, and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris varietal wines, all crafted from grapes farmed primarily within Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation.

The J Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center and Bubble Room is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway, south of Healdsburg. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com. You can also follow us on Facebook.

J Visitor Center

J Employee Holiday Lunch at the Dry Creek Kitchen!

2011-12-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Our sparkling Founder &President Judy Jordanprovided the employees with a fabulousHoliday lunch last Friday at the Dry CreekKitchen in Healdsburg, specially prepared by Chef De Cuisine,Dustin Valette, which was an amazingly delicious and elegant diningexperience.

J Employee Holiday Luncheon

We started with a remarkable “Slow Cooked White Leek Soup” with Toasted Brioche, Truffle Crème Fraiche & Verjus Caramel, paired with the 2010 J California Pinot Gris.

Then a mouthwatering “Whole Roasted New York Strip Loin” with Candied Red Onion, Smoked Potato Puree & Black Garlic Emulsion, paired with the J Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

In addition, Pastry Chef, Yulanda Santos, prepared a delectable dessert, Dark Valrhona Chocolate Fondant with Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream, Peanut Brittle & Port Gastrique.

For the chic food& wine lovers, Dry Creek Kitchen offers an outstanding dining experience tomake any occasion a memorable one!

Dry Creek Kitchen Dining Room

We salute theDry Creek Kitchen crew for providing JVineyards & Winery an outstanding Holiday Luncheon:

Dan Prentice, GM

Drew Munro, Sommelier

Wade Nobles, Restaurant Manager

Dustin Valette, Chef De Cuisine

Yulanda Santos, Pastry Chef

A Tale of Two Harvests, by J Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse

2011-11-30T11:51:00.001-08:00

Melissa Stackhouse

The2011 harvest can be summarized as a tale of two harvests: the harvest before the rain and the one afterthe rain.

Theharvest began on August 22, with our first pick of Pinot Noir for sparkling wine. The entiresparkling wine harvest went smoothly. There were no dramatic weather events,and the fruit benefited from cool morning fog and warm afternoon sunshine. From a winemaking perspective, callingpicks in the field was straightforward. Atypical harvest day for the winemaking team began in the vineyard, walking therows, tasting fruit, surveying the vines’ health. While assessing maturity ofthe sparkling fruit, we also monitored the grapes for our varietal wines: PinotGris, Pinot Noir, andChardonnay. The sparkling fermentations were incredibly aromatic and yieldedvery high-quality base wine. The team is impressed with the sparkling vintage,and eager to blend this year’s Cuvée 20 and Brut Rosé.

Aswe progressed through harvest, the Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir began making theirentrance. Quality was spectacular forthese varieties. I was particularly excited about the Pinot Noir that we sourcefrom J’s estate vineyards within the RussianRiver Valley. One vineyard in particular, Bow Tie, wasmost compelling. Located on WestsideRoad on the outskirts of Healdsburg, it is a warmer, cool-climate vineyard, themakings of a world-class site. The fruit did not disappoint, nor have the winesthat are presently aging in barrel.

Bow Tie Vineyard

Mostwinemakers hit a certain point in harvest when watching the forecast becomes anhourly event. It is quite common in Northern California to receive early autumnrains. And this year was no different. Most of our fruit was in the winery priorto any heavy rain, with the exception of Chardonnay. This is a varietal that is early to break bud,but late to ripen.

Jewell Ranch Vineyard & Russian River Valley Estate Chardonnays

The first batches ofChardonnay were somewhat low in sugar but we did get well-developed flavors. Then came the rains and with them botrytis.Unfortunately, we had to leave one vineyard unpicked. The result is a significantly small crop ofChardonnay from this vintage; but, what we were able to get in before the rainsshould result in some racy and flavorful wines. I am looking forward to tasting it as the blend develops.

J Vineyards & Winery

J Vineyards & Winery Founder & President Judy Jordan Wins Women’s Initiative "Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award"!

2011-10-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

Judy Jordan

Judy Jordan,Founder and President of J Vineyards & Winery, has been named a “WomanEntrepreneur of the Year in the North Bay.” The award is given by Bay Areanonprofit Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment and recognizes women businessowners in the Bay Area who:

Have been successful despite the barriers thatexist for women business owners
Exemplify how business ownership and leadershipis beneficial for women
Have a positive impact on the local community orthe community at large
Advance their business through innovation

The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes thesewomen entrepreneurs and their businesses for their leadership and positivecontributions to their communities. Jordan will be recognized at the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year AwardsCeremony on Tuesday, November 15th at the Mill Valley Community Center in MillValley.

Approximately 600 businesses were nominated for the awardthroughout the Bay Area and more than 42 women will be honored with the WomanEntrepreneur of the Year in regions throughout the Bay Area. For more information and a complete list ofwinners, go to www.womensinitiative.org.

About Women’sInitiative

For more than 22 years, Women’s Initiative for SelfEmployment has been providing low-income, high potential women with thebusiness training, funding and ongoing support to start their own business andbecoming financially independent. Thewomen who go through the training significantly increase their income andassets while launching businesses, creating jobs and stimulating the localeconomy.

About J Vineyards& Winery

Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery isan independently-owned Sonoma County winery. The Winery is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

J Vineyards & Winery focuses on non-vintage Brut,Vintage Brut, and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,and Pinot Gris Estate varietal wines, all crafted from grapes farmed primarilywithin Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley appellation.

The J Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center and Bubble Roomis located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway, south of Healdsburg. To learn more, orto join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com. You can also follow us on Facebook.

THE PERFECT GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON - J GIFT CARDS!

2011-10-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

J VINEYARDS& WINERY

GIFT CARDS

THE PERFECTGIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Shareyour love of J this holiday season. Purchasea J Gift Card and eliminate the hassle of hauling wrapped packages throughairport security or paying extra baggage fees.

Betteryet, surprise someone with a J Gift Card before the holiday season and watchhis or her face light up like Holiday lights.

Purchasea JGift Cardby calling 888-594-6326, visiting our website at www.jwine.com, or dropping by our Visitor Centerwhere we will offer a complimentary tasting* of our J Brut Rose for each personpurchasing a J Gift Card in our Visitor Center.

J Gift Cards can be loaded in $50increments from our website or any denomination in the J Visitor Center. The JGift Card is perfect for purchasing wine* or J merchandise from our boutique.

(*You must be 21 years of age to purchase & taste wine)

J Harvest News from our Winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse, Friday, October 7, 2011

2011-10-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Melissa Stackhouse, J Winemaker

TheJ harvest of 2011 continues to roll on. We are nearly finished with PinotGris and Pinot Noir. Early sampling of our 2011 Russian River ValleyEstate Pinot Noir shows a vintage across the board that is nothing less thanexquisite. Most of the lots are still in tank, on the skins andfermenting. A few Russian River Valley Pinot Noir lots are already inbarrel, having been drained and pressed last week. These wines will be goingthrough malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will beaged for about nine months. We expect blending to begin in early spring.

Melissa Stackhouse Admiring J Estate Pinot Noir Grapes

Andhappily, we completed our sparkling wine harvest weeks before the rain began tofall. The sparkling lots are all tucked away in tanks awaiting assemblage. We will begin blending thesewines at the end of October for tirage bottling in early February. The 2011 sparkling wine vintage can be characterized with one word —spectacular!

Spectacular Night Harvest in Nonny's Vineyard

Ourmajor challenge this harvest, however, has been with Chardonnay. Chardonnay is always the variety that takes a hit when the Russian RiverValley weather becomes marginal. The seven-day forecast will hopefullybring us warmer and drier weather. We’re keeping our fingers crossed andhope to finish this year’s harvest by the end of next week.

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wewill keep you posted on our progress.

Best Regards,

Melissa Stackhouse, J Winemaker

J’s Tasting Room Stands Among the Best in the West, by Kasey Wilson of The Dish

2011-09-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Tasting Temptations

Sonoma’s J Vineyards takes the guesswork out of food pairing

Wine Access - The Dish, by Kasey Wilson

October / November 2011

At J Vineyards, food and wine go hand-in-hand. J’s tasting room stands among the best in the West.

The winery’s owner, Judy Jordan, has been a Sonoma pioneer in her efforts to create an elegant food-and-wine experience for visitors. Touting both sparkling and traditional Burgundian still wines, Jordan offers guests a luxurious take on Sonoma County hospitality.

Judy Jordan, J Founder & President

In 1996, she purchased the former Piper Sonoma winery in Healdsburg, in the heart of California’s Russian River Valley. A few years later, in 1999, she opened J Vineyards’ tasting room. Going beyond basic wine tastings, staff members offered small food items to complement each wine, showing how what’s in the glass marries with what’s on the plate.

Eight years ago, Jordan hired Mark Caldwell as executive chef. His job: to create a variety of “ahhh-inducing” dishes to partner with her wines.

Mark E. Caldwell, J Executive Chef

The Signature Bar in the tasting room has art as cool as its bubbly. It’s backed by an impressive 18-by-24-foot, floor-to-ceiling, metal-and-glass installation by Napa Valley artist Gordon Huether. It’s washed with acid and mineral dusts to give it the warm hues of copper. Embedded in it are sparkling nuggets of glass lit by fiber optics, evoking the bubbles in a flute of sparkling wine.

J Signature Bar

On weekends, an enhanced tasting is offered in the Bubble Room, overlooking the gardens and lily pond. As part of this experience, Caldwell prepares several courses to go with a half-dozen wines, all served in the luxuriously appointed salon. Jordan believes Caldwell’s cooking is a perfect match to J’s wines; both wines and dishes have balance, elegance and subtlety.

J Bubble Room

“There’s a lot of experimentation and playing with flavors at J,” says Caldwell. “I reduce down sparkling wines to make different vinaigrettes, or to make a sauce for oysters on the half shell; or I’ll marinate strawberries in a reduction of our rosé and mint. I’ll also pour sparkling wine on dessert, so it foams up at the last second.”

His experimentation has led to one answer to the ongoing challenge of pairing asparagus with wine. “What I’ve learned,” says Caldwell, “is that steamed asparagus brings out a metallic flavor with wine. If you sauté or roast asparagus, it caramelizes, and shows nicely with the earthiness of a pinot noir.”

His impeccably wine-friendly recipes vary from succulent lobster-shellfish cakes with saffron aïoli (paired with J Cuvée 20 and the 2009 California Pinot Gris), to chilled carrot-curry soup (see recipe; best with the 2008 Chardonnay and J Vintage Brut). He uses two ’08 pinots — the Russian River Valley, and the Nicole’s Vineyard — in a reduction to accompany pan-roasted beef sirloin. Even sweets are deserving of pairings, with a dessert of citrus olive-oil cake with rose petal parfait matched to J Brut Rosé.

With an owner intent on upholding gracious wine country hospitality and a chef crafting unforgettable wine and food pairings, J’s tasting room stands among the best in the West.

Chilled Carrot-Curry Soup Recipe

Photo by Lenny Siegel

Here, Mark Caldwell shares his recipe for a silky, Madras curry-spiked carrot-curry soup. It’s wonderful chilled, but can also be served warm.

2 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. young fresh carrots, scrubbed then chopped
1 bay leaf
3 Tbsp. Madras curry powder
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 can (14 oz/398ml) unsweetened coconut milk
3 cups chicken stock

In a heavy medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and garlic; cook until onions are softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and 1 tablespoon of curry powder and cook for 5 minutes. Add bay leaf and chicken stock. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer soup for 15 minutes. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of curry powder and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir in coconut milk and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.

Pour coconut-curry mixture into soup and stir well. Purée (in batches) in a blender until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 2 hours. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

J Wine Match: 2009 J Vineyards Viognier, Hoot Owl Vineyard

J Harvest News from our Winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse, Monday, September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Harvest Update by Melissa Stackhouse, VP of Winemaking

Monday, September 19, 2011

With The Cooler Weather, We Wait

I walked through Nicole’s Vineyard early last Friday, tasting fruit that’s slated to be picked over the next few weeks. With the foggy, cool mornings, we’re running a bit behind schedule while Mother Nature warms up.

Nicole's Vineyard

I had the same thought about our Bow Tie Vineyard, located on Westside Road. The clusters are still a couple of weeks from ripening. The vine canopy looks healthy, and the 10-day forecast is for 85-degree daytime temperatures. It’s a Pinot Noir winemaker’s dream forecast.

Bow Tie Vineyard

I should be ecstatic. And I am. But my adrenaline was so revved up during our sparkling wine harvest, which at this point is 80% complete, there’s a part of me that wants to charge forward.

Full disclosure…I’m an impatient soul. I do understand the importance of long hang-time and the maritime influences that can sometimes bring the harvest to a grinding halt. I do appreciate and expect a slow ripening, the respiration of acid, waiting for that phenolic ripeness of the grapes seeds, and above all, cheering on those intense flavors we’ve come to expect in our wines. I’m so excited to get my hands on these beautiful grapes that it’s difficult for me to wait on Mother Nature.

As with every harvest, I have no control. The pace is never in our hands and it unfolds differently each year. I have no doubt this will be an extraordinary year for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir grapes, but this waiting is killing me!

J Vineyards & Winery Barrel Room Video!

2011-08-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

J Vineyards & Winery Prepares the Barrel Room

for the Pinot Noir Varietal Wine Harvest!

Melissa Stackhouse, J Vineyards & Winery VP Winemaking

J Barrel Room YouTube Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8oWmlJb-Z0

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently owned Sonoma County winery. The winery kicks off its 25th Anniversary celebration this year on Saturday, September 17, 2011. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

J Harvest News from our Winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse (8/29/11)!

2011-08-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Melissa Stackhouse, J Vineyards & Winery VP of Winemaking

The 2011 harvest is now underway for sparkling wine and I'm thrilled to be part of the J winemaking team. I’m also excited about becoming well-versed in the nuances of sparkling wine production. At J, however, the future is all about varietal wine.

So far the weather has been steady and predictable. Just enough fog in the evening and early morning to moderate the pace of ripening, and just enough sun and heat during the day to move the sugar levels in the right direction.

A faint aroma of the first fermentations is now wafting through the cellar. The winemaking and vineyard teams are out in the vineyards monitoring the grapes, focused on the weather forecast to ensure our decision-making is tethered to sound information. The next couple of weeks will be very busy.

As for varietal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, we’re expecting to start picking for the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in about two weeks, assuming the weather cooperates! Our Chardonnay destined for the Russian River Valley blend is expected to ripen by mid-September.

The most magical thing about harvest is the twists and turns as we go through it. We don't have a crystal ball to tell us what the weather will be like, or what sort of vintage this will be. A good friend mentioned once that if there was such a thing as a crystal ball, we'd be making crystal balls rather than wine. My response to that was, maybe, but it wouldn't be as fun!

J Vineyards & Winery Harvest Celebration Video!

2011-08-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Check out our J Vineyards & Winery Harvest Celebration YouTube video featuring Founder & President Judy Jordan blessing the grapes. Special bonus feature, the crowning of Melissa Stackhouse—Queen of Winemaking.

Melissa Stackhouse & Judy Jordan

J Harvest Celebration Video Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3gobdWVbyI

J Vineyards & Winery Begins Harvest on Monday, August 22, 2011!

2011-08-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Wineries prepare for harvest to begin next week

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

JOHN BURGESS/Press Democrat
John Erbe, a viticulturlist with J Vineyards & Winery,
checks the sugar levels of pinot noir grapes on Thursday.
Erbe believes the Healdsburg winery will start the harvest on Monday morning.

There’s excitement in the air as winemakers across Sonoma County hurry through final preparations, or catch their last bit of rest, before the onslaught begins.

The North Coast grape harvest is expected to kick off next week, several weeks later than normal as a result of cool spring weather that slowed the maturation of the region’s $1 billion grape crop.

Melissa Stackhouse, Winemaker with J Vineyards & Winery

“I have the pre-harvest butterflies a little bit, and a general sense of hope that you have before harvest,” said Melissa Stackhouse, winemaker for J Vineyards & Winery of Healdsburg. “Because who knows, it could be really stellar. Harvest unfolds as we’re going through it, and that’s the nice mystery about it.”

In the wee hours of Monday morning, grape pickers will set out at J Vineyards to begin picking pinot noir and chardonnay grapes used to make sparkling wines.

The winery expects to harvest about 20 percent fewer grapes than normal this year, spokesman George Rose said. Rains in June simply knocked the flowers off the vine, so there were fewer berries in each cluster, he said.

“Our winemaking team definitely is gearing up for what they like to refer to as war,” Rose said. “It’s a very grueling process.”

Despite the cool temperatures, vineyards in Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley have accumulated about five or six more days of warm temperatures than the same time last year, said Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

“We’re going to have the long hang time that winemakers want for flavor depth, but I think we’re in a better position than last year,” Frey said.

The lighter crop is making some grapes ripen faster on the vine, said Chris Bowen, vineyard manager for Hunter Farms in Sonoma Valley. With fewer grapes, the sugar produced by the leaves makes its way inside the grape faster, he said.

Bowen estimates Hunter Farms will start picking pinot noir grapes for sparkling wines in the middle or end of next week for Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards.

“I’m hopeful that we don’t have another harvest like last year, because last year was just slam-bang. We had no letup,” Bowen said. “It would be nice if things went smoothly. They never do.”

Bowen is expecting to harvest about 25 percent fewer pinot noir grapes than an average year. Chardonnay grapes don’t look quite as bad, and some of his merlot and cabernet grapes look good, while others don’t.

To the west in the Russian River Valley, Iron Horse Vineyards is poised to start picking grapes for its sparkling wines in about 15 days, based on the sugar content of the grapes, winemaker David Munksgard estimated.

“It’s kind of like crystal ball-ing right now,” Munksgard said.

When J Vineyards starts picking, Munksgard can practically set a clock and assume Iron Horse’s grapes will be ready for picking within a week or two.

Iron Horse is racing to get bottling done now so it can hopefully give the crew a long weekend off before the madness of harvest begins.

“There’s all kinds of obstacles in your way, but at the end of the day, after all the agonizing and worry about the harvest, it’s suddenly here,” Rose said.

Copyright © 2011 PressDemocrat.com — All rights reserved. Restricted use only.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110818/BUSINESS/110819462/1350?p=1&tc=pg

Featured Club J Members "Ingrid Korgemagi & Bob Lillie"

2011-08-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

FEATURED MEMBERS

What Ingrid & Bob Have To Say About J Vineyards & Winery!

“Sharing a fun photo of my friend Tara and I enjoying J Brut Rosé this summer at Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. We visited J last May and did a very thorough tasting with Ron Clark (Mr. Suspenders) and enjoyed the wine and the company so much that we joined the Wine Club! J was the most memorable of the trip, primarily because of Ron. We are looking forward to coming out again for a visit to J!”

- Ingrid Korgemagi & Bob Lillie

Ingrid Korgemagi & Tara Sheff

Enjoying J Brut Rosé on Lake Cumberland, KY

J NV Brut Rosé

How long have you been a J Club Member?

Ingrid & Bob: Since May 2010!

What do you like best about Club J?

Ingrid & Bob: Getting J Wine Club shipments sent to our friends in Ohio, Jim & Tara Sheff (also J Wine Club Members), as wines can’t be sent to Kentucky, and most J wines are typically not available here in Kentucky retailers, which is sadly most of the J product line.

J Vineyards Nicole's Pinot Noir

What is your favorite J Wine & Food Pairing?

Ingrid & Bob: My personal favorite is the Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir with basically anything. My husband Bob makes excellent homemade pizza and we'll pull out a bottle for pizza or to accent any other great meal with friends. Being avid boaters, there can be a J Wine paired with appetizers before dinner.

We have really enjoyed the Vin Gris with homemade Applewood smoked pork chops.

J Vineyards Vin Gris

Special Interests you would like to share about you?

Ingrid & Bob: We are avid boaters, tech junkies, and consumers of good food and wine, both at home and on trips cross country. It's not uncommon for us to go out with close friends and have a four hour dinner as the focus of our night out!

To inquire about becoming a Featured Club J Member, please contact Elisa Brennan at elisa@jwine.com, or visit our J Tasting Room and the Wine Specialists will be happy to obtain your feedback and photo.

We look forward to seeing you featured on the J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page!

Bubble Lady - Judy Jordan has built J Vineyards and Winery into a top-name sparkling wine house, Press Democrat, July 23, 2011

2011-07-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Bubble Lady

Judy Jordan has built J Vineyards and Winery into a top-name sparkling wine house

By VIRGINIE BOONE FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 3:00 a.m.

SCOTT MANCHESTER / For The Press Democrat

With J Vineyards sparkling wine in hand, Judy Jordan, Founder and President of J Vineyards & Winery and second generation vintner, during her 50th birthday party cruise on the San Francisco Bay on the Empress of Sausalito motor yacht on Saturday night June 11, 2011.

Judy Jordan was only 25 when she leveraged the resources and knowledge of her dad, Jordan Winery founder Tom Jordan, to launch her own sparkling wine house, J Vineyards & Winery. A geology graduate and college tennis star out of Stanford, she settled on the Russian River Valley as her base.

“If I were talking to the 25-year-old who started this company and I remember enough about her, she was spicy and spunky,” Jordan recalled. “At that time I really believed that nothing could get in my way, and I was so passionate about sparkling wine and about geology and about the Russian River Valley.”

Recently 50, she's still at it, having turned J into a marquee name in Sonoma County and a popular bubbly brand across the country. Along the way, she has survived floods and down markets, winemaker changes and a move into varietal wines. As a single, very much working mom, she is also raising two kids, Nicole and Robert, now in their teens.

“What I didn't know at 25 was how many times I was going to run up against walls and how many times you think you're on a certain path and are sure that's the right path and bam. You hit a wall,” she said.

Judy Jordan, 1987

“And how often, with a big sore on your head, you move back from it and go, okay, that hurt, and finding how to get around that wall and finding a path that works.

“I'd say, don't get so wrapped up in the emotional swings. Now what I know is, you get through it. Sometimes it has not been a pretty landing, but I have ended up on my feet.”

Emotional swings indeed. The ambient lighting in Jordan's winery office gives off an air of calm, as does the soft-spoken, deliberate Jordan, tall and still athletic with blonde, short-cropped hair.

So singularly committed to making sparkling wine, Jordan still is mired in a business that's not always joyful. She is committed to a product that's expensive to make and subject to the weather, market fickleness and a never-ending parade of competitors and Johnny-come-lately trends in taste and price.

J Sparkling Wine

“You either continue to make smaller quantities at very high quality and you position your wines that way, which is what we choose to do,” she said, “or you make a lot of wine. After 25 years we're all-American, high-quality from Russian River Valley vineyards, but we also like to think of ourselves as fun, as joyous and attainable.”

Adaptation has been key. In the last year Jordan has hired former Kendall-Jackson public relations king pin George Rose to take on J's communications needs. She also has lured winemaker Melissa Stackhouse away from La Crema to make J's sparkling and varietal wines, starting this harvest. She takes over from Jordan's personal friend George Bursick, who wanted to go back to consulting.

Melissa Stackhouse, J Vineyards & Winery Winemaker

“What appealed to me about coming to work for J is Judy's offbeat sense of humor and sharp independent streak,” said Rose. “She brings a sense of fun and a uniquely all-American spirit to the winery that, when mixed with hard work, brings out the best in people.”

Stackhouse is happy to get back to making more artisanal pinot noir and chardonnay, noting that “Judy is very focused on producing world-class varietal wines from her 10 Russian River Valley estate vineyards.”

J Sparkling, J Vineyards Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, J Pinot Gris

In the early days, the wines were made in an old, ramshackle prune processing barn without indoor plumbing and a leafy roof. In 1995, it flooded under five feet of water.

The first release, a 1987 J Vintage Brut, came into the market in 1991 at about the exact moment the Gulf War in Kuwait began. Jordan and her team pounded every strip of pavement across the U.S. to sell 4,000 cases in 32 cities.

Sales eventually added up, and Jordan was able in 1997 to buy the Piper Sonoma winery, another sparkling producer, on Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg, where J still sits. Included in the deal were 118 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

J Vineyards & Winery Entrance

Jordan now owns 10 vineyards laced throughout the Russian River Valley, leveraging one to get another one and paying off debt as she went so she could be ready to grab more vineyard land.

“I do believe things go in phases,” she said. “That's the great opportunity in life, to re-invent and re-engineer yourself to be relevant for new times. It's very important to stay relevant and avant-garde.”

Convinced of sparkling wine's ability to pair with a wide range of food, Jordan was among the first in Sonoma County to devote a part of J's tasting room to food and wine pairing, starting in 1999. The Bubble Room remains popular.

J Bubble Room Experience

Now she's pushing forward with J pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris to further make that point. After all these years, she doesn't want to have all her eggs in the sparkling wine basket, stressing that she likes and needs diversity.

“I had a midlife crisis a few years ago, a teenage crisis because I wasn't quite midlife yet. Midlife is at 60, I hear,” she joked.

“I purchased this winery back in 1997, and it was a very big deal for me. I put a little bit of money down and had to pay it off with lots of debt and (was) mortgaged up the wazoo. It forced me to make the decision in the early 2000s, what did I want to be when I grew up? A big sparkling wine house or did I want to be high quality? I chose the latter.”

Her decision to broaden has been challenging because people often tell her that if you're a sparkling wine house you're not capable of being a quality pinot noir or chardonnay house.

J Barrel Room

Producing High-Quality Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

“I'm very competitive by nature, and I'm like, okay, says who?” Jordan countered.

Her brother John agrees. He is CEO of Jordan Vineyard and Winery, the Alexander Valley winery started by their parents, Tom and Sally Jordan.

“Judy has always been fiercely independent and unafraid to approach the business in her own way,” he said.

Ultimately Jordan is proudest of the fact that her kids have witnessed her evolution.

J Vineyards Pinot Noir

“It's a joy to have built a business as a single mom and have my kids see what that's like, to go through the ups and the downs,” she said.

“I've been scurrying around and scurrying around the last 25 years, and now I feel this is home, I can settle down.”

SCOTT MANCHESTER / For The Press Democrat

Judy Jordan, Founder and President of J Vineyards & Winery and second generation vintner, tries on the captain's hat on the Empress of Sausalito motor yacht during her 50th birthday party cruise on the San Francisco Bay on June 11.

CELEBRATE J's ANNIVERSARY

A celebration of J's 25th Anniversary will be held September 17 at the winery's Visitor Center and Bubble Room, in tandem with the winery's annual harvest event. The festivities are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature specialty food producers and tastings of past, present and future J wines. Admission is $55, which includes a commemorative glass and culinary creations by J's Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell.

To purchase tickets in advance, call 431-5430. http://www.jwine.com

Virginie Boone is a freelance wine writer based in Sonoma County. She can be reached at virginieboone@yahoo.com.

Introducing Melissa Stackhouse!

2011-07-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Melissa Stackhouse Video Link!

J Vineyards & Winery, the Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wine producer, has appointed Melissa Stackhouse as its new Vice President of Winemaking.

J Vineyards Nicole's Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir

Stackhouse will lead a dedicated winemaking team in solidifying J’s 25-year reputation as a top Sonoma County sparkling wine house, and build on the winery’s budding estate-driven varietal wine program.

“Melissa brings a wealth of Russian River Valley experience that will lift J to a new level of Estate-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris winemaking,” said J Vineyards & Winery Founder and President, Judy Jordan. “She possesses a unique ability to connect with people, but it is her amazing skill as a winemaker that defines her, and will help shape my vision for J.”

Melissa Stackhouse, VP Winemaking

Stackhouse is a graduate of the University of California at Davis where she earned a Bachelor degree in Viticulture and Enology in 1998. She was Winemaker at La Crema from 2003 to 2010, and most recently, Pinot Noir Winemaster for all Jackson Family Wines.

J Nicole's Estate Vineyard, Russian River Valley

ABOUT J
J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg. The winery focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate 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. The winery is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page

Featured Club J Members "Brad & Donna MCLean"!

2011-07-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

Featured Members

Brad & Donna MCLean

At the J Visitor Center Fountain

What Brad & Donna Have To Say

About J Vineyards & Winery!

"Thank-you so much for the fun time we had at the winery. What a special experience it is every time we visit, and this one has certainly been a topic of conversation ever since we got home. Thanks again for the wonderful visit, and the fantastic wines!"
–Brad & Donna

How long have you been a J Club member?

Brad & Donna: We just became members this visit, but we’ve loved the wines for years!

What do you like best about Club J?

Brad & Donna: Having access to regular shipments of the glorious wines. They are sometimes hard to find here in Alabama, so we have our shipments sent to friends in Georgia. It gives us a great excuse to go and visit them, and share some good wine and fun times.

What is your favorite J Wine & Food Pairing?

Brad & Donna: J Chardonnay with fresh grilled salmon, wild rice pilaf with grilled portabellas, and grilled asparagus. YUM!

Brad & Donna’s Special Interests

They Would Like To Share!

Our rescue cats are named "J" Chardonnay,
Napa Cabernet, and Sonoma Cutrer.

This is our "J" Chardonnay; she is the princess in our cat family, and definitely our most lovable, by far. But all 3 of them are very friendly to everyone. Not your typical cats. Maybe it’s all in their names.

"J" Chardonnay

This is her brother Napa………

And her other brother Sonoma………

And here are all three of them together…..…

"J" Chardonnay, Sonoma & Napa

And here’s the family photo from when they were kittens……..

It has been difficult to get one since then.

–Brad & Donna

To inquire about becoming a Featured Club J Member, please contact Elisa Brennan at elisa@jwine.com, or visit our J Tasting Room and the Wine Specialists will be happy to obtain your feedback and photo.

We look forward to seeing you featured on the J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page!

Here’s our new J Brut Rosé in a clear bottle with a sexy black J! Look for it at J Vineyards & Winery or your favorite retailer or restaurant this holiday season!

2011-06-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

The new J Brut Rosé video shows the bottles going through the inspection light to ensure all the bottles are in perfect condition. Prior to the inspection light, the bottles were disgorged. Following the inspection the bottles will have the foils added to the top and neck of the bottle and allowed to rest for another 3-6 months before release.

Do you know how sparkling wine is made? Here is a brief overview of J sparkling wine production from the vineyard to the bottle:

Harvest & Vineyards

All grapes for our J sparkling wines are hand-harvested into small quarter ton bins and placed as whole clusters, without destemming, into our special Coquard press for a gentle pressing cycle. The grapes for our J sparkling wines were selected from J’s Estate Vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Our vineyards yield a balanced crop of clean, flavorful grapes that exhibit bright, lush aromas.

Press

What makes the Coquard so special? No need to rotate the press as it operates like a basket, less production of solids and phenolic extraction, less processing on the front end, producing higher quality juice.

Ferment

All vineyard lots are kept separate as are cuvée and taille fractions. Cuvée is the “free-run” juice, highest quality, most flavors, acid, and best balance. Taille is the “press” juice, good structure but requires higher psi for yield. All juice is fermented at cool temperatures (~ 60oF) to preserve fruit and aromatics.

Assemblage (blending)

Each lot is evaluated and the cuvées are blended to the highest standards.

Filter + Sugar + Yeast

Once the blends are made the wine is filtered, and a small amount of sugar is added for the secondary fermentation. After secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine ages for an average of 36 months in our cool cellars. The day of bottling, yeast is added and the bottles are secured with a bidule, a small plastic cup that fits in the bottle's neck and into which the sediment eventually settles. A crown cap secures the closure.

Tirage

The bottled wine is stored in a cool warehouse, on its side, where the second fermentation completes in about six weeks. By conducting the second fermentation in a sealed vessel, this captures the CO2 which is a normal by-product of fermentation (YEAST + SUGAR = CO2 + EtOH), giving sparkling wine its bubbles! The rest of the time on tirage is spent aging - allowing the yeast to breakdown and adds complexity to the wine that enhance bouquet, flavors, and mouthfeel. Longer tirage time also means smaller bubbles.

Riddle

The bottles are transferred to our riddling racks where they go through a series of twists and turns to collect all the yeast cells and sediment into the neck of the bottle.

Disgorge

After riddling, the bottles “rest” for a period of 1-3 months neck down in a cold room. This allows the yeast cells to compact, and by keeping the wine cool it’s easier to disgorge. The neck of the bottle is frozen, freezing the yeast so when the crown cap is removed, the frozen yeast is blown out by the pressure from the second fermentation, clarifying the wine of any sediment. A small amount of dosage (reserve wine + sugar) is added back to the wine for balance.The bottle is then corked with a wire cap, foiled, and allowed to rest for another 3-6 months before release.

Enjoy J!

J Vineyards & Winery

11447 Old Redwood Highway

Healdsburg, CA 95448

707.431.5400 - Main

707.431.3646 - Vistor Center

Terra Sonoma Tasting at J Vineyards & Winery, July 16, 2011 | 11am - 4pm!

2011-06-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Terra Sonoma Tasting at J Vineyards & Winery

July 16, 2011 | 11am - 4pm

J Visitor Center

Event open to: All Welcome

Local food artisans Justin Miller and Karin Warnelius founded Terra Sonoma in Geyserville, CA, determined not to let a single grape go to waste. They will be sharing their grape-based culinary creations with us — Verjus and Saba.

Verjus is made from un-ripened green grapes and is an excellent alternative for recipes that call for vinegar or vinaigrette. Saba is a thick, sweet syrup made from the “must” of fermented grapes and makes a delicious topping on ice cream, or can be used to sweeten cookies, polenta, or yogurt. Justin and Karin produce these chemical- and pesticide-free products following current sustainable farming standards.

Mark E. Caldwell

Join us for a sampling of these culinary delights and learn how they are made. J Vineyards & Winery Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell will prepare hors d’oeuvres incorporating both ingredients.

Tastings of the Terra Sonoma food products are complimentary with the purchase of a J Signature flight ($20 per person) or a Bubble Room flight ($60 per person). No reservations at the Signature Bar are necessary, but reservations in the Bubble Room are recommended.

Link to Event Page: http://www.jwine.com/News/Events/EventsDetail.aspx?id=51

Ultimate Russian River Valley Tasting Experience in the J Bubble Room!

2011-06-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Not familiar with the ultimate J Bubble Room Russian River Valley tasting experience?

Well, now you can take a video tour of the J Bubble Room with J’s Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell and see what luxury awaits you in this beautifully appointed full-service tasting salon!

The Bubble Room is the ultimate Russian River Valley tasting experience. In a beautifully appointed full-service tasting salon, you and your guests will enjoy an exclusive tasting including rare Russian River Valley library and small-production wines, served with delicious wine country fare from our Executive Chef, Mark E. Caldwell.

The Bubble Room is open Friday through Sunday; seatings are available at 11:00, 12:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Guests over 21 are welcomed.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Please submit a reservation request and a member of the J team will contact you. Or phone us at 707.431.5430.

Bubble Room Tastings are $65 per person and $50 for Club J Members.Learn about Club J membership

Discover other ways to experience J Vineyards & Winery, including the J Signature Bar and hosted tours.

View our detailed map and directions to find us. We look forward to hearing from you and scheduling your next visit.

See our current menu for an example of this unforgettable tasting experience:
Current Bubble Room Menu

Take a video tour of the Bubble Room with

Executive Chef Mark E Caldwell

Featured Club J Members "David and Rachelle Ybarra"!

2011-06-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Featured Members

David and Rachelle Ybarra

Photo taken at J Signature Bar

How long have you been a member of Club J?

David and Rachelle Four Years!

What do you like best / enjoy about Club J?

David and Rachelle We always make this our very first stop because we love the location, its fun and the bubbly is so good! The staff always greets everyone with a smile and really knows their wines.

What is your favorite J Wine & Food Pairing?

David and Rachelle J Vineyards Nicole’s Vineyard Pinot Noir & J Vineyards Nonny’s Pinot Noir paired with creamy polenta withsautéed crimini mushrooms!

Special Interests you would like to share about you.

David and Rachelle: Wines are our passion aside from our children. We love Zin's and Pinot's.

To inquire about becoming a Featured Club J Member, please contact Elisa Brennan at elisa@jwine.com, or visit our J Tasting Room and the Wine Specialists will be happy to obtain your feedback and photo.

We look forward to seeing you featured on the J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/J-Vineyards-Winery/47700428072?ref=ts

J VINEYARDS & WINERY NAMES KERRY MANAHAN-EHLOW VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING

2011-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Kerry Manahan-Ehlow

Kathryn Lindstrom, CFO/General Manager of J Vineyards & Winery, today announced the appointment of Kerry Manahan-Ehlow as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Manahan-Ehlow will oversee all sales, marketing, and direct-to-consumer efforts for the winery.

“After successfully establishing J as a top Sonoma County sparkling wine producer, our Founder & President, Judy Jordan, has set her sights on becoming a leader in Russian River Valley estate-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietal wines,” said Lindstrom. “Kerry brings the experience and know-how to translate our vision into a reality for our distributors and our customers.”

Manahan-Ehlow was previously Chief Operating Officer at Foley Family Wines, managing global sales, marketing, and PR duties across 16 domestic and 5 New Zealand wine brands. She is a 25-year veteran of the wine industry who has owned her own consulting business, and has worked across a broad spectrum of iconic brands, including Robert Mondavi Winery, Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery, Matanzas Creek Winery, and Kendall-Jackson Winery.

She is an active member of the Sonoma County Vintners Senior Leadership Team, worked with the UC Davis Graduate School of Management students on wine marketing and studied Communications and Public Relations at California State University at Fullerton.

J Vineyards & Winery has recently expanded its sales efforts across the country, adding Kevin Nissen as Northeast Regional Sales Manager based in New York; Rick Choate, Southeast Regional Sales Manager based in Florida; and Diane Denham, Central Regional Sales Manager based in Texas. Two weeks ago, the winery tapped Melissa Stackhouse as VicePresident of Winemaking.

“For the past 25 years, J Vineyards & Winery has followed an independent path of elegance and authenticity in the wine business,” said Manahan-Ehlow. “I’m proud to be a part of an energized J team and plan on laying the foundation for another 25 successful years.”

ABOUT J VINEYARDS & WINERY

J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway southof Healdsburg. The winery focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate 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. The winery kicks off its 25thAnniversary celebration this year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

“PINOT & PIZZA” COMES TO J VINEYARDS & WINERY SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 — 11a.m. to 4 p.m.

2011-05-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Chef Mark E. Caldwell and Andrea Mugnaini

J Vineyards & Winery teams up with Healdsburg-based chef and author, Andrea Mugnaini, for a “Pinot & Pizza” food and wine event at the Visitor Center. Mugnaini will be employing a large portable wood-fired pizza oven, and along with J Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell, will create tasty pizzas featuring organic farm fresh vegetables, artisanal cheeses from Bellwether Farms, Fra’Mani handcrafted salumi, and O Olive Oil.

All pizzas will be paired with J Vineyards Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir wines. Mugnaini will also sign copies of her new book, “The Art of Wood Fired Cooking.” The cost is $15 per person for Club J members; non-Wine Club members, $25 per person. Reservations are not necessary as tickets will only be sold on the day of the event.

For more information, please call (707) 431-5430 or (707) 431-3646.

About J Vineyards & Winery

J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg. The winery focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate 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. The winery kicks off its 25th Anniversary celebration this year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

J VINEYARDS & WINERY TURNS TWENTY-FIVE

2011-05-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Richard Paul Hinkle is a contributing editor to Quarterly Review of Wines and is also the author of nine wine books. QRW is one of the publications that I deeply respect and enjoy, BTW, because of their high standards of story contents and the wine writers’ profiles.

Congratulations, Judy… May you have another 25 years of fabulous success!

J VINEYARDS & WINERY TURNS TWENTY-FIVE

By Richard Paul Hinkle

“A mind expanded by a new idea never returns to its former size.” Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

One of the things we learned about California wine in recent years is this: It matters where the grapes are grown. Not just a little, but a whole lot. In fact, it’s pretty much what separates world-class wines from everything else.

The good news is that, once California wine producers learned this lesson, winemakers jumped in with both feet. Growers began to understand that they were not just growing grapes, but rather that their end product was, in fact, the very definition of terroir.

Once these lessons began to sink in, crop levels dropped, attention was paid to matching the right variety with each specific plot of land, clones and rootstocks mattered, and trellis systems were assessed and reassessed. A “question everything” mantra came into play bringing with it great and enduring rewards.

There was once a small tasting room that boasted this sign on the back wall: “You don’t have to be an astrophysicist to make fine wine.” The joke was, of course, that the winemaker was a retired NASA astrophysicist.

Well, it also certainly doesn’t hurt to be a geologist who just happens to run a top shelf winery. At J Vineyards & Winery that fact came in handy when Founder and President Judy Jordan began to realize that many of her best vineyard acreage was better suited to varietal wines than they were for the sparkling wines. The winery’s motto is “A Legacy That Sparkles,” but the future was pointing in a new direction.

[Judy Jordan in 1987]

“My roots in the soil, as you suggest, do come honestly,” she says with a wily grin. “As a trained geologist (she earned an Earth Sciences degree from Stanford University), I have come to know how terroir is the foundation in the creation of world-class wines. The magnificent alluvial soils found in the Russian River Valley were formed over the millennia and play an important role in our ability to make great wine. I am fortunate to be accompanied on this journey of exploration by top viticulturist, John Erbe, and now, our new Vice President of Winemaking Melissa Stackhouse. Both are experts on all aspects of the Russian River Valley terrain.”

Jordan continues, “In 2010 we embarked on a new direction for J. With the official launch of our estate varietal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, we are staking our legacy on the terroir of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. This unique viticultural appellation is our home. It is where we farm 254-acres of cool-climate grapes, planted on a myriad of rootstocks and clones, and all located along the loam and gravel benches and hillsides on the edges of the Russian River.”

“While we remain dedicated to our sparkling wine program, our varietal estate wines clearly represent the next generation of J Vineyards & Winery. The new varietal packaging, featuring a more subtle version of our classic J “paintbrush” logo, is designed to distinguish the varietal table wines from our sparkling wines. The new labels reflect all the distinctive elements that comprise the very definition of terroir — soil, water, air, plant life, and the human touch.”

When Judy Jordan took over the former Remy facility, immediately adjacent to Rodney Strong Winery, south of Healdsburg, she set out to produce top flight sparkling wines exclusively. But over the years, the fruit of her Russian River Valley vineyards quietly began to assert itself. In small and subtle ways it let her know that, perhaps, varietal wines ought to become a more important part of her portfolio.

“We did GPS mapping of our ten Russian River Valley Estate vineyards,” say Viticulturalist John Erbe. “We took core soil samples to get to know every striation, to the point where we’re not guessing anymore. We all agreed that you have to be willing to shake things up every now and again.”

That reward came two-fold: First, in the richly-textured, full-bodied Pinot Noirs that immediately gained the attention of the wine press; second, in the timing of the introduction. With the recent recession putting a damper on the nation’s need to celebrate, J’s low-key rollout was just the right tone to establish itself as an important Pinot Noir producer.

Of course, every smart winery owner is looking for the next big thing. And at J, it is Pinot Gris. “There’s an Oregon style, an Italian style, a French style, and there’s even an Okanagan Valley style, but there’s no definitive California style — yet,” says Jordan. “There’s a serious business upside in having J develop a California style for this varietal. With 25 years of sparkling wine under our belt, we wrote the book on crisp and clean.”

To that end, J has created a “California” appellation Pinot Gris — drawing fruit from Monterey, Clarksburg (in the Sacramento River Delta) and Russian River Valley — a wine that is, in fact, is crisp and clean, a “fun” wine with a screw cap, sold at a reasonable price. The wine itself is a vinous delight, with a bright steely-lemon-lime core, a touch of Golden Delicious apple, and a tangy hint of lavender in the finish.

[Judy Jordan today]

With the winery turning a vibrant quarter century old this year, Judy Jordan — an exciting, energetic and elegant force in her own right — knows that vitality requires constant burnishing.

“As an entrepreneur and mother of two, I have worked hard to shape a successful wine company that is the essence of elegance and balance,” says Jordan. “Our sparkling wines, featuring the distinctive yellow ‘J’ signature, are instantly recognized around the country by consumers, whether in a restaurant or a retail outlet. Here in our Visitor Center Signature Bar and Bubble Lounge tasting rooms, we offer innovative food-and-wine pairings that demonstrate the extensive range of both our sparkling wines and table wines. It’s an exciting time to be in the wine business. As long as we keep learning and expanding our horizons, it will remain so.”

J SPARKLING & VARIETAL

WINE TASTING NOTES

J Cuvée 20 Russian River Sparkling Wine ($22): You’ve got to love the brisk, right-to-the-point pear and apple zestiness that defines this sparkler, but it’s the fresh cream component that allows this wine to round out and settle in on your palate deliciously.

J 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($28): Flush with ripe Fuji apple sappiness, this wine spreads out nicely with a hint of butter, the tang of hazelnut, all delectably balanced to handle anything from shellfish to sole in a cream sauce.

J 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($35): The scent of rose petals draws you in, backed up by fleshy black cherry fruit in the middle and finish, spiced with a hint of sage to make your mouth water. Pair this with a juicy slab of beef or lamb, brushed with butter-sautéed mushroom sauce.

http://www.wine-blog.org/

Featured Club J Member "Barbara Croteau"!

2011-05-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Featured Member

Barbara Croteau

Photo taken at J Signature Bar

How long have you been a member of Club J?

Barbara Eight Years!

What do you like best / enjoy about Club J?

Barbara The great wines and great people who work here. Great events and the Bubble Room is the best!

What is your favorite J Wine & Food Pairing?

Barbara J Vineyards Pinotage with Santa Maria tri-tip.

Special Interests you would like to share about you.

Barbara Look forward to gardening, hiking and snorkeling on the Big Island in my impending retirement.

To inquire about becoming a Featured Club J Member, please contact Elisa Brennan at elisa@jwine.com, or visit our J Tasting Room and the Wine Specialists will be happy to obtain your feedback and photo.

We look forward to seeing you featured on the J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page!

MELISSA STACKHOUSE NAMED VP OF WINEMAKING AT J VINEYARDS & WINERY

2011-05-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

Photography by George Rose

J Vineyards & Winery, the Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal wine producer, has appointed Melissa Stackhouse as its new Vice President of Winemaking.

Stackhouse will lead a dedicated winemaking team in solidifying J’s 25-year reputation as a top Sonoma County sparkling wine house, and build on the winery’s budding estate-driven varietal wine program.

“Melissa brings a wealth of Russian River Valley experience that will lift J to a new level of Estate-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris winemaking,” said J Vineyards & Winery Founder and President, Judy Jordan. “She possesses a unique ability to connect with people, but it is her amazing skill as a winemaker that defines her, and will help shape my vision for J.”

Photography by George Rose

“I look forward to walking Judy’s Estate vineyards with an eye on the fast-approaching 2011 harvest,” said Stackhouse. “Winemaking at J will retain its intimacy and authenticity, rooted in the soil, clones, and everything Mother Nature has to offer.”

Stackhouse takes over the winemaking duties at J following the departure of winemaking veteran George Bursick, who has gone on to develop Bursick Wine Consulting.

ABOUT J
J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg. The winery focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate 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. The winery is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

Club J Featured Wine Club Members Jan & David Dahlke!

2011-04-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Featured Members

Jan & David Dahlke

Photo taken at J Signature Bar

How long have you been a member of Club J?

Not sure, though we are in our tenth year of being J fans. I was first at the property in the mid-80s when it was Piper Sonoma. Was visiting the wine country from Alaska, where I grew up and began my career.

What do you like best / enjoy about Club J?

We thoroughly enjoy the J experience and the treatment we receive from the cast of characters on the J staff.

The hospitality is friendly, superb, always!! Can't single out anyone in particular, all are terrific!!

The Bubble Room is our favorite. We are there monthly and with every menu change.

It's great to stop by for our club pickups, to celebrate something, or just because...

What is your favorite J Wine & Food Pairing?

We like to experience all of Mark's pairings. The "chocolate" menu was terrific. Who would of "thunk" you could use chocolate the way that Mark did?!

It's great that the recipes are available. We do "try this at home," often.

Special Interests you would like to share about you.

Being virtually retired, we like to travel the highways visiting family, friends and wine areas around the country. And, not necessarily in that order!!

We look forward to seeing you featured on the J Vineyards & Winery Facebook Fan Page!

Judy Jordan & Mark E. Caldwell are featured on “Tony & Kasey’s Best of Food & Wine” radio show!

2011-04-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Listen Up! “Tony & Kasey’s Best of Food & Wine” radio show that aired on AM 650 based in Vancouver, British Columbia featured J Vineyards & Winery Founder & President Judy Jordan and Executive Chef, Mark E. Caldwell on April 21, 2011.

Kasey Wilson & Anthony Gismondi

Tony, Kasey, Stu & Art of “Tony & Kasey’s Best of Food & Wine” radio show had the ultimate Russian River Valley tasting experience in the beautifully appointed J Bubble Room as they enjoyed an elegant lunch paired with J Vineyards & Winery sparkling & varietal wines, prepared by Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell and his exclusive team. Their ultimate tasting experience was elaborated during their radio show interview with Judy & Mark.

(From left to right at the J entrance)

Art Factora - Radio Engineer, Anthony (Tony) Gismondi - Radio Host, Kasey Wilson - Radio Host, Stu Ferguson - Radio Producer

(From left to right in the J Visitor Center)

Kasey Wilson - Radio Host, Anthony (Tony) Gismondi - Radio Host, Judy Jordan - J Founder & President, George Rose - J Communications Director, Art Factora - Radio Engineer, Stu Ferguson - Radio Producer

Elegant J Bubble Room Lunch Menu

Pan Roasted Local Beef Striploin, Parsley Potatoes Purée, Asparagus, Pinot Noir Reduction

Paired with

2008 J Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

2008 J Vineyards Pinot Noir, Nicole's Vineyard

Citrus Olive Oil Cake, Rose Petal Parfait, Soft Cream, Strawberries

Paired with

J Brut Rosé, Russian River Valley

Tony & Kasey’s Favorite J Pairing:

2008 J Vineyards Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Chilled Carrot-Curry Soup

If you missed the live interview from Hotel Healdsburg last night, not to worry, links to the radio interviews are easily available to you per the following link: http://www.am650radio.com/Episodes.aspx?PID=1745

Judy Jordan & Mark E. Caldwell

The Best of Food & Wine in Sonoma - April 21st, 2011 Part 1 with Judy Jordan (timestamp begins at 43:30).

The Best of Food & Wine in Sonoma - April 21st, 2011 Part 2 with Judy Jordan & Mark E. Caldwell (at the beginning of the podcast).

Kasey & Tony

About the Show
Tony and Kasey’s Best of Food & Wine Show has been a weekly tradition on Vancouver radio since 1997. Anthony Gismondi and Kasey Wilson hosted over 650 shows at CFUN 1410 for more than 12 years and will be heard every Thursday evening from 6 - 7 pm on All-time Favorites AM 650 in Vancouver.

Each week, the talented duo will entertain, educate, and talk food and wine with many of the top players in and outside of Canada. Kasey and Tony will set the table for the weekend pointing you to great wine buys, the best in restaurant dining and all things connected to food and wine - in prime time from 6 to 7pm weekly on Thursdays.

The Best of Food & Wine has broadcast on location from food and wine festivals in New York, Seattle, Sonoma County, Banff, Victoria, and Whistler. Among the guests who have joined Tony and Kasey: Julia Child, Gordon Ramsay, Piero Antinori, Anthony Von Mandl, Howard Soon, John Bishop, and Rob Feenie.

Website: http://www.am650radio.com/

About the Hosts
Anthony Gismondi
Anthony Gismondi is one of North America’s most influential wine critics. He is Editor-in-chief at Wine Access, Canada’s national wine magazine and has been a weekly wine columnist for the Vancouver Sun since 1989. Anthony is also founder and Publisher of gismondionwine.com.

Kasey Wilson
Kasey Wilson is an Award winning Vancouver-based food and travel writer, Broadcaster, Author, food editor, and restaurant reviewer. She is Editor of Best Places Vancouver and Food editor of Wine Access magazine. Kasey is also an on-Line contributor to Conde Nast’s concierge.com and gayot.com.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast for J Vineyards 2009 "Barrel 16" Chardonnay

2011-04-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

June 2011 Issue

92 POINTS!

2009 J Vineyards “Barrel 16”

Chardonnay Russian River Valley

This small-production Chard is a real success for J. It’s comprised of their best fruit from warmer and cooler parts of the valley. The flavors are complex, ranging from apricots and tangerines to lemons and golden mangoes, while oak adds lovely notes of buttered toast and créme brûlée. Drink now. —S.H.

Merchants & Millers Olive Oil Company at J Vineyards & Winery, May 7, 2011

2011-04-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Merchants & Millers Olive Oil Company

May 7, 2011 / 11:00 - 5:00pm

J Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center

All Welcome

Our friends from Merchants & Millers Olive Oil Company, John Hadley and Kevin Rogers, will be here at J to share their award-winning products: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Meyer Lemon Olive Oil. We think these are two of the best olive oils around. These talented millers have created Sonoma County olive oils of superior quality with the right amount of fruitiness, bitterness and pungency. Come by and visit with John and Kevin while you enjoy your J Winery tasting experience!

No reservation necessary for this event.

This event is complimentary with a J Signature Flight or a Bubble Room Flight.

Star Listing for J Sparkling & Varietal Wines from Ronn Wiegand of Restaurant Wine

2011-04-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

J Vineyards & Winery’s sparkling wines are among the best produced in California!

- Ronn Wiegand, Publisher of Restaurant Wine

EXCELLENT & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

J VINEYARDS 2008 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY

An excellent Chardonnay in an elegant, soft, complex style. It is full bodied, smoothly textured, long on the palate, and persistent on the finish, tasting of peach, grapefruit, vanilla, toast, pineapple, and lemon. Long aftertaste. BF, 40% new French oak, ML. Great value.

EXCELLENT & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

J VINEYARDS 2009 COOPER VINEYARD PINOT GRIS RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Fine Pinot Gris, in a full bodied, crisp, moderately intense style. It is round, nearly dry, and long on the palate, with apple, grapefruit, yellow plum, and lemon grass flavors. Unwooded.

EXCELLENT & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

J NV BRUT CUVÉE 20 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Light pale yellow color. Fruity and complex in style, this wine has lemon peel, apple, honey, pineapple, and grapefruit character, with overtones of roasted nut and modest oak. Crisp and long on the palate, with a persistent finish. Excellent value.

49% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Meunier. 25% barrel aged. Aged 3+ years on the yeast.

EXCEPTIONAL!

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

J NV ROSÉ BRUT RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Wonderful sparkling rose. Pale salmon pink color. Fragrant and complex in aroma, this is a medium bodied, supple wine, with firm underlying acidity, and a very long finish, tasting of plum, roasted nut, baked cherry, rosehips, pineapple, and lemon peel.
56% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay. Aged 3 years on the yeast.

Four Stars & Excellent - Quarterly Review of Wines for 2008 J Vineyards RRV Chardonnay!

2011-03-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Four-Star California Chardonnay!

Best of the Best California Chardonnays

2008 J Vineyards Chardonnay

Russian River Valley

Nice, crisp, well-knit, toast and lemon curd flavors. Excellent! Wines of Exemplary Character and Quality - benchmarks of their type!

By QRW Tasting Panel