Just Released: Two Perfect Pinots. Build Your Case.

Be the first to enjoy our inaugural 2010 J STRATA Pinot Noir, a true gem created by the art and science of winemaking. The heart of J's STRATA Pinot Noir is terroir: the special influences of the vineyard's location, soils, and weather influences.

Aromas of earthy mushrooms, toasty vanilla, cinnamon, and clove give this inaugural wine its punch, while flavors of delicious blackberry and dark cherry greet the palette. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to herb-roasted pork dishes, grilled salmon, and wild game.

Limited Cases Available

Heads up! We're down to the last of our highly lauded 2009 J Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, so grab some before this vintage is history. This lush, ruby-red wine showcases its cool climate pedigree with aromas of wild blackberry and flavors of caramel, cinnamon, and black spice. This Pinot pairs well with earthy foods such as grilled Portobello, smoked meats, and duck confit.

Buy these two perfect Pinots together and you'll receive complimentary shipping and a 10% discount. (J Wine Club members receive up to a 25% discount.)  

Purchase a mix and match case using coupon code: PINOT

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Highly Recommended! - Miami Herald for J 2009 Pinot Gris, California

Beat the heat with cool, crisp wines

By FRED TASKER

June 10, 2010

2009 J Vineyards Pinot Gris, California

Summertime, and the livin' is easy. We tuck away the big cabernet sauvignons and barolos to mellow until fall. We break out the crisp, cool, light-bodied whites to go with fish grilled on the patio or chicken salads packed into picnic baskets.

These days, the wine of choice for such endeavors is pinot grigio. Or pinot gris, if you want to be French about it. It probably originated in northern Italy, where pinot means pine, for the pine-cone shape of the grape bunches, and grigio means gray, for the frequent hue of the grapes.

A decade ago you hardly saw the wine in U.S. shops and supermarkets. Today it's one of the fastest-growing grapes, with California acreage soaring five-fold since 2000.

At its best, pinot grigio is light and crisp, with aromas of camellias, flavors of white peaches and a nice, tart, lime-tinged finish.

At its worst, it's never worse than neutral, unlike, say, a bad sauvignon blanc, which can be absolutely stinky.

In a practical world, this is one of its biggest advantages. From a hideously overpriced wine list, one can always order the cheapest pinot grigio. You might not dazzle your guests, but you won't offend them.

But let's not damn with faint praise. A good pinot grigio is a delight -- fragrant, crisp, light, cool, tangy, refreshing, fruity -- and cheap. That's the other nice thing about it. You seldom see a bottle over $15.

Winemakers know a good thing. They wisely make pinot grigio/gris in ways that emphasize its advantages.

They pick it in the cool early mornings, rush it to the crushing pads, ferment it cool in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and forgo the oak-barrel aging that might dull the intensity of its fruit.

The better winemakers age it on its lies, that is, the detritus of its grape skins, stems and leaves, and stir it occasionally, which adds a silky quality. They bottle it in airtight screw caps because it is best drunk within a year of its release.

Typically, a pinot grigio is lighter, crisper, higher in acid. A pinot gris is fuller, richer, higher in alcohol. In France's Alsace region, a pinot gris might even be slightly sweet.

So, with summer here and vacations nearing, the pinot grigio season has begun.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
• 2009 J Vineyards Pinot Gris, Calif.: crisp and intensely fruity, with flavors of oranges, hints of vanilla, silky texture and a tart finish; $15.

• 2008 Marco Felluga Pinot Grigio ``Mongris,'' DOC Collio, Italy: aromas and flavors of camellias and green apples, silky and smooth, lemon-lime finish; $18.

RECOMMENDED
• 2008 Hahn SLH Estate Pinot Gris, Santa Lucia Highlands: big, bold and creamy, with golden apple flavors and a hint of honey; $20.
• 2008 Murphy-Goode Pinot Grigio, Calif.: golden apples and spice, with a tart lemony finish; $12.50.
• 2007 Robert Pepi Pinot Grigio, Calif.: light and crisp, with green melon and green apple flavors, tart finish; $11.
• Nonvintage Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio, Calif. (pinot grigio, symphony, muscat, viognier and malvasia bianca grapes): light and crisp and slightly sweet, with ripe peach flavors; $7.
• 2009 Woodbridge Pinot Grigio, by Robert Mondavi, Calif. (pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, semillon, other aromatic white grapes): light and crisp, with aromas and flavors of white peaches and tart lime finish; $8.

New Year Greeting From Judy Jordan, Founder & President of J Vineyards & Winery

GOODBYE 2009, HELLO 2010

When I founded J Vineyards & Winery nearly a quarter century ago, I knew I was in for the ride of my life. From our first vintage of sparkling wine made in an old converted prune processing shed to the launch of our new varietal wine program this year, J has carved out a niche built upon wine excellence and elegant hospitality. Our success has exceeded my wildest dreams.

I am very proud of this company and it would not have been possible without everyone’s hard work and dedication. From our winemaking, viticulture and administration, to sales, marketing, and hospitality, everyone at J should be proud of what we have accomplished together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their rock solid support of J Vineyards & Winery.

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. 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.

This past year we embarked on a new direction for J. With the launch of our estate varietal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in new packaging, 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 more than 250 acres of cool-climate grapes, planted on a myriad of rootstocks and clones, and all located along the loam and gravel edges of the Russian River and on nearby benches and hillsides.

My roots in the soil come honestly. As a trained geologist, I have come to know how terroir plays such an important role 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. Accompanying me on this journey of exploration are veteran Winemaker, George Bursick, and Viticulturist, John Erbe. Both have become experts on all aspects of our Russian River Valley terrain, and their dedication certainly shines through in our wines.

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 wines from our sparkling wines. The new labels reflect all the distinctive elements that comprise the very definition of terroir — soil, water, and air.

This launch of our new varietal program may seem like a gamble in today’s tough business climate. I assure you, however, that these are the right wines, at the right time, and I remain steadfast in my belief that winemaking excellence and wines of regional distinction will rule the day.

I encourage you to share a taste of our new Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with your friends and family. The joy of wine discovery is still very much alive, even in these tough times.

Let us all raise a glass of J and toast to a bright New Year.

Cheers,
Judy Jordan
Founder & President

92 Points - Wine Spectator Insider for J Vineyards 2007 RRV Pinotage!

J Vineyards 2007 Pinotage, Russian River Valley

92 points!

Dark, dense and concentrated, with spicy, peppery, floral aromas reminiscent a bit of Syrah. Rich and focused on wild blackberry fruit, this is tightly structured, rustic and firmly tannic, ending with a wide mix of fruit, herb and anise. Drink now through 2014.—J.L.

August 26, 2009

J Vineyards & Winery wins Gold & Silver at the 2009 San Diego International Wine Competition

Winereviewonline.com
By Robert Whitley
Mar 25, 2009

J Vineyards & Winery
Gold 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley $38.00
Silver 2000 Vintage Brut Russian River Valley $50.00

91 Points for 2006 Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir - 7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout 2009

7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout 2009, Affairs of the Vine

J Winery 2006 Nicole's Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, $65.00
1409 cases produced
(91 Points)

Male: Cocoa, strawberry and cranberry aromas deliver the same onto the palate, forest notes and brown baking spices highlight the finish on this many layered wine. Round and delicious.

Female: Beautiful, expressive aromatics with earth, mushroom, and nutmeg melding seamlessly with bright cherry, wild berry and forest floor notes. Wow! Rich and elegant with a long finish.

The tasting panels are comprised of a diverse range of wine industry professionals from varying disciplines including restaurant and retail trade, winemakers, wine writers, wine educators, and consultants.

The 7th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout judging panel included:
Anthony Austin, Winemaker
Scott Clemens, Editor, Epicurean Traveler
Susan Darwin, Wine Consultant
Debra Del Fiorentino, Wine Consultant, Wine Radius
Barbara Drady, Wine Evangelist, Affairs of the Vine
John Drady, Vintner
Rusty Gaffney, The Prince of Pinot, http://www.Pinotfile.com
David Heppberger, Wine Consultant, Buyer Menlo Circus Club
Ellen Landis, Wine Director, Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, Half Moon Bay, CA
Ken Landis, Chef, Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, Half Moon Bay, CA
Paul Manchester, Vintage 59 Imports
Ben Narasin, Freelance Food & Wine Writer
Mike Potashnik, PhD, Co-Publisher, International Wine Review
Sid Sall, Wine Director, Great Chefs of Marin
Christopher Sawyer, National Wine Writer, Sommelier: Carneros Bistro at the Lodge at Sonoma
Edgar Vogt, Wine Educator, Wineworks
Walter Vornbrock III, Wine Consultant
Liza Zimmerman, Wine Writer & Educator

Steve Heimoff Finds Beauty In J Vineyards' Pinot Noirs

Steve Heimoff, in his blog report on the World Of Pinot Noir event in Shell Beach, CA this past weekend, called J Vineyards' Pinot Noirs "beautiful."

J's winemaker George Bursick had the good fortune to discuss with Steve the thoughtful Pinot Noir winemaking techniques that he and owner Judy Jordan have put in place, including use of indigenous and rare yeast strains, specific lot fermenter punch down regimes, slow and extended fermentations, gravity flow processing, French Burgundian cooper impression on different wine lots, as well a thoughtful “batonage” during aging.

You can read Steve's full report on WOPN at:

http://steveheimoff.com/

A Valentine's Day Recipe To Pair With J's 2008 Vin Gris

Recently, a Facebook friend of J sent us this request: "We received our club shipment this week and can't wait to try to the Vin Gris. I was thinking of surprising my husband with a homemade dinner on V-day and opening the bottle. Do you have any food pairing suggestions? Thank so much."

J's Executive Chef Mark Caldwell suggests a nice soft goat cheese pairs well with our Vin Gris. He also offered up this recipe for Tiger Prawns with Blood Orange Cream Sauce from our Bubble Room menu archives. He comments that "the blood orange sauce in the recipe mirrors the finish on the Vin Gris, and the Vin Gris tartness cuts through the cream and is a nice accent for the prawns."

You can download a PDF of the recipe by clicking here or paste the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_vg_recipe_1.pdf

Enjoy Valentine's Day with a glass of J!

91 Points and Two Puffs for J Pinot Gris in Connoisseurs' Guide!

J Vineyards & Winery has started the new year right! The Connoisseurs' Guide To California Wines just gave J's 2007 Pinot Gris Russian River Valley 91 points, calling it "Among the deeper and more substantial Pinot Gris bottlings to be had...long on blossomy fruit with touches of sweet limes merging with elements of nectarine, peach and subtle shadings of wet stones."

You can read the review by clicking here or paste the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_07pinotgris_sellsheet_1.pdf

J Sonoma Coast Named Pinot Noir Of The Year!

The December/January issue of Wine News Magazine has named the J Vineyards & Winery 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Of The Year!

They were enamored with its "feathered garnet hue" and "lovely aromas of black cherry with hints of rose water and brown spice." They called the finish "seamless," showing "charm and finesse."

You can read the full review by clicking here or paste the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_2008pnoftheyear_winenews.pdf

George Bursick on The Food & Wine Radio Network

J Winemaker George Bursick recently spoke about J's Winemaking on Jennifer English's nationally syndicated “The Food & Wine Radio Network” show. George discussed how the 2006 vintage of J’s varietal wines show his hand and cement J’s house style.

Jennifer English is a James Beard Award winning talk show host and national tastemaker. With the launch of The Food & Wine Radio Network in December 1999, English became the first national talk radio network dedicated exclusively to the world of food, wine and the good life. The Food & Wine Radio Network is heard over 65 cities and live worldwide on the Internet.

You can hear the interview by clicking here or pasting the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_113008_jenniferenglish.mp3

J Vineyards & Winery is now on Facebook!

Now you can find out about upcoming events and network with other "fans" and "friends" of J at our new Facebook pages.

Click here to go to our friends page or paste the link below into your web browser:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1615396260&ref=profile

Click here to become a fan or paste the link below into your web browser:

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

32 Top Rankings For J Wines In 2008!

2008 has been a great year for reviews at J Vineyards & Winery! From a 96 points review of our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir in Wine News, to a 95 points/Editors' Choice review in Wine Enthusiast for our 2000 Vintage Brut, a 92 Points review in Wine Spectator for our 1998 Late Disgorged Vintage Brut, and five stars in Restaurant Wine for our 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris, J wines have stood out in leading wine publications throughout the year.

You can review all the top rankings by clicking here or pasting the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_2008accolades_1.pdf

J Featured on CNBC

Oliver Quillia, in the article "Wines to Bring to a Holiday Meal" on CNBC, asked a group of wine authorities the question "which wines would you bring to a holiday meal and why?

Tim Moriarty, Managing Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, suggested J Vineyards' Nicole’s Vineyard Pinot Noir for its "great cherry fruit on the silkiest pillow imaginable.”

You can read the review by clicking here or pasting the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/j_cnbc_nov2008.pdf

PinotFile Reviews The J Vineyards Pinot Noir Portfolio

Rusty Gaffney, MD, the Prince of Pinot, creator and publisher of the PinotFile online newsletter, recently visited J during a trip to the Russian River Valley and spent the afternoon with winemaker George Bursick and Assistant Winemaker Hollis Price tasting through every Pinot Noir from the 2006 and 2007 vintages side by side.

Rusty calls J Vineyards' 2006 vintage "classic" and the 2007 vintage "stellar," "showy" and demonstrating "consistency." He goes on to say "each wine was beautifully crafted and although different in aromatic and flavor nuances, all of them brought a smile to my face. The wines have delicate color and will never be mistaken for many of the Burgeaux wines that are so prevalent in the California marketplace."

You can read the entire article by clicking here or pasting the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/pinotfilenov2008.pdf

J Robert Thomas Pinot Noir Featured In Sunset Magazine

Sunset Magazine wine writer Sara Schneider, writing in this month's feature story "Wine Fit For A Feast," details how the J Robert Thomas Pinot Noir is a great wine for some of the hardest meals to pair wines with. "The whole spice cabinet’s here," Sara exclaims, "cinnamon, cloves, coriander – plus a little plush leather and a lot of red fruit."

You can read the entire review by clicking here or pasting this link into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/sunsetnovember2008.pdf

Two 91 Point Reviews for J in Wine Enthusiast!

November's issue of Wine Enthusiast gave J's 2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Robert Thomas Pinot Noir both 91 Points. Steve Heimoff called J's Chardonnay "A fine wine that shows the classic structure of Russian River Chardonnay, and also a steely minerality that makes it a partner for food."

Steve goes on to suggest of the Robert Thomas Pinot Noir how "there’s a Burgundian quality to this wine, with its mushroom, sweet leather, tobacco and herb flavors that undergird and infuse fruitier notes of blackberries and cherries."

You can read the reviews by clicking here or paste the link below into your web browser:

http://www.jwine.com/jblog/wineenthusiastnov.pdf

J Pinot Noir on Anthony Dias Blue's Blue Lifestyle Minute

Anthony Dias Blue is a James Beard Foundation Award recipient and one of the most influential food and wine personalities in the United States. He recently talked about J’s Pinot Noir winemaking program on his James Beard Award–winning Blue Lifestyle Minute radio program in early September. The show broadcasts on WCBS in New York and KFWB in Los Angeles, and was heard by over 1,000,000 listeners.

Anthony talks about how Judy Jordan decided to expand the still wine program, using Russian River Valley fruit, and how our "maverick" winemaker George Bursick is using long, slow fermentations lasting up to 4 month to ratchet up J’s Pinot Noir program.

You can download his podcast by clicking here or pasting the link below into your web browser:

http://www.wcbs880.com/episode_download.php?contentType=36&contentId=2871242

Press Democrat Wine of the Week: J Vineyards Pinot Noir!

Wine writer Peg Melnik has just named J Vineyards 2006 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir the Press Democrat Wine Of The Week! Tasted blind amongst other standout Pinot Noirs, she gave it four stars, explaining "it had the most sex appeal with its lush texture and rich mouth feel."

See below for a video of Peg's recent visit to J, where she interviews winemaker George Bursick on his approach to making Pinot Noir and talks about J's food and wine program.

You can read her review by clicking here or pasting the link below:
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080917/LIFESTYLE/809170307

Her interview of George can also be read by clicking here or pasting the link below:
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080917/LIFESTYLE/809170306

J 2008 Start of Harvest on KTVU Channel 2

August 7th, 2008 marked the second vintage of estate grown Russian River Valley sparkling and varietal grape harvest harvested by Winemaker George Bursick, Viticulturalist John Erbe and the top notch production team at J Vineyards & Winery. J was also the first winery to bring in its own estate grown fruit. To mark the event, KTVU Channel 2 brought a crew to film the start of harvest as part of their Mornings At Two program, hosted by Ross MacGowan.

You can view George's interview by Ross by clicking the YouTube video below, or click here to see in higher quality.
(requires Quicktime which you can download by clicking here).