J.K. Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir 2013

Meet owner and winemaker Jim Prosser. He grew up east of the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon in a sleepy little skiing and timber town called Bend where you'll find plenty of sunshine and sagebrush. Instilled with a strong work ethic, compliments of the family hardware store, Jim got a degree from Oregon State before entrenching himself in the corporate world of Xerox and commercial real estate. He spent time in Europe, lived in Lithuania as a business advisor for the Peace Corps, climbed in Pakistan, traveled five continents, wound down a family business, sold Christmas trees, and cycled the United States before being seduced... by the elusiveness of Pinot Noir.

Jim has come to understand Pinot noir from the messy grape cellar end of things and learned the trade by working for eight great producers in four countries including: Erath, Domaine Drouhin, Brick House and Chehalem in Oregon; Villa Maria in New Zealand; Tarra Warra and T'Gallant in Australia; and Domaine Georges Roumier in Burgundy. These are his friends and they have provided his foundation.

In 1999, he established his own winery, sourced good grapes and started making wine as J.K. Carriere, the combined names of his grandfathers. From the start J.K. Carriere wines have received critical acclaim. Jim will tell you his success stems from great vineyards, focused winemaking and the willingness to go right through the middle of the work. He makes primarily Pinot noir, producing classic, vivid and ageable wines with fruit on the first uptake, movement on the palate and elegance throughout. Jim's intent is to astonish you, intentionally spark you, and give you every reason to share that experience with someone else. In fact, this is his ruthless pursuit.