Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesHello, ripe pear; hello, vanilla; hello, peanut and cashew— this light gold blend of 51% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 9% Pinot Meunier greets you with gusto on the nose while bearing flavors of lemon tart and peach cobbler on a creamy palate with a snappy, slightly quinine-bitter finish. J Vineyards & Winery’s inspired suggestion to serve it alongside seared black cod with caramelized cauliflower and Meyer lemon is, truth be told, one we can’t get out of our heads.
Steely and full of snappy acidity, with accents of red apple, gingerbread and lemon tart that build richness and plushness on the lingering finish.
This is overtly fruity with lots of apple and strawberry character. Full body. Round and creamy. Fruity finish. Very fruity at the end. Drink now.
Since 1986, J Vineyards & Winery has developed a reputation as one of the top sparkling and varietal wine producers in California. Known for its celebrated estate vineyards and world-class hospitality, what truly sets J apart is its Traditional Method sparkling process and elevated winemaking techniques. Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock showcases her expertise and the diversity of California winegrowing regions through a portfolio of acclaimed varietal and sparkling wines. Visit the renowned hospitality center in the heart of the Russian River Valley to enjoy one of the many tasting experiences or the innovative pairings created by Executive Chef Carl Shelton in the Bubble Room.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.