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About Winery
Domaine Felettig, based in Chambolle-Musigny, traces its roots to 1965 when Henri Felettig inherited just 2 hectares of vines from his parents. Initially, the grapes were sold to a cooperative, but by 1969 Henri began vinifying his own wines. Together with his wife Reine, he steadily expanded the estate, purchasing and leasing parcels until it reached 9 hectares by the early 1990s. In 1993, the domaine became a true family operation when Henri and Reine partnered with their children, Gilbert and Christine, forming a GAEC (family farm). Today, Domaine Felettig spans 13 hectares across prestigious appellations from Gevrey-Chambertin to Beaune, including notable Chambolle-Musigny premier crus and the Grand Cru Echézeaux, and is recognized for its sustainable viticulture and highly regarded Burgundy wines.
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About Winery
Domaine Felettig, based in Chambolle-Musigny, traces its roots to 1965 when Henri Felettig inherited just 2 hectares of vines from his parents. Initially, the grapes were sold to a cooperative, but by 1969 Henri began vinifying his own wines. Together with his wife Reine, he steadily expanded the estate, purchasing and leasing parcels until it reached 9 hectares by the early 1990s. In 1993, the domaine became a true family operation when Henri and Reine partnered with their children, Gilbert and Christine, forming a GAEC (family farm). Today, Domaine Felettig spans 13 hectares across prestigious appellations from Gevrey-Chambertin to Beaune, including notable Chambolle-Musigny premier crus and the Grand Cru Echézeaux, and is recognized for its sustainable viticulture and highly regarded Burgundy wines.
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About Winery
Domaine Felettig, based in Chambolle-Musigny, traces its roots to 1965 when Henri Felettig inherited just 2 hectares of vines from his parents. Initially, the grapes were sold to a cooperative, but by 1969 Henri began vinifying his own wines. Together with his wife Reine, he steadily expanded the estate, purchasing and leasing parcels until it reached 9 hectares by the early 1990s. In 1993, the domaine became a true family operation when Henri and Reine partnered with their children, Gilbert and Christine, forming a GAEC (family farm). Today, Domaine Felettig spans 13 hectares across prestigious appellations from Gevrey-Chambertin to Beaune, including notable Chambolle-Musigny premier crus and the Grand Cru Echézeaux, and is recognized for its sustainable viticulture and highly regarded Burgundy wines.
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About Winery
Domaine Felettig, based in Chambolle-Musigny, traces its roots to 1965 when Henri Felettig inherited just 2 hectares of vines from his parents. Initially, the grapes were sold to a cooperative, but by 1969 Henri began vinifying his own wines. Together with his wife Reine, he steadily expanded the estate, purchasing and leasing parcels until it reached 9 hectares by the early 1990s. In 1993, the domaine became a true family operation when Henri and Reine partnered with their children, Gilbert and Christine, forming a GAEC (family farm). Today, Domaine Felettig spans 13 hectares across prestigious appellations from Gevrey-Chambertin to Beaune, including notable Chambolle-Musigny premier crus and the Grand Cru Echézeaux, and is recognized for its sustainable viticulture and highly regarded Burgundy wines.
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About Winery
Domaine Joseph Voillot is a six-generation family estate based in Volnay, Burgundy, with roots tracing back to the 19th century when Jean-Baptiste Voillot expanded the vineyards with parcels like Clos Micault in 1870; later generations, including Marius Voillot, added prestigious sites such as Volnay Fremiets, Pommard Rugiens, and Meursault Les Cras, often through marriage alliances, while Joseph Voillot himself upheld traditional Burgundian winemaking before passing the domaine to his nephew Jean-Pierre Charlot, who modernized operations; today, under Etienne Chaix, Joseph’s grandson, the estate cultivates about 8 hectares across Volnay, Pommard, Meursault, and Beaune, producing wines from 13 appellations with a philosophy rooted in “bon sens paysans” (peasant common sense) and a commitment to sustainability, reflected in its High Environmental Value certification since 2017.
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About Winery
Domaine des Perdrix is a Côte de Nuits estate that rose to prominence after being acquired by the Devillard family in 1996, who brought five generations of Burgundian winemaking expertise to its management.
The domaine had previously sold most of its production to négociants and was relatively unknown, but under Bertrand and Christiane Devillard and their children Amaury and Aurore, it quickly became recognized among the “Grands Vins de Bourgogne.” The estate covers about 15 hectares (30 acres) exclusively in the Côte de Nuits, with more than half classified as Premier Cru and Grand Cru, including holdings in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Échezeaux Grand Cru, and the nearly-monopole Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru “Aux Perdrix,” of which they own 99%. Significant investments in modern winemaking facilities and rigorous vineyard management have elevated the domaine’s reputation, with critics noting that it produces wines of exceptional quality and terroir expression, often ranking among the best Pinot Noirs of Burgundy. Today, Domaine des Perdrix is celebrated for combining tradition with innovation, crafting elegant, structured wines that showcase the depth of Côte de Nuits terroirs.
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Winemaker Notes
The wine reveals a rich aromatic profile of dark berries, rich spices, loamy soil, and rose petals, leading to a medium to full-bodied palate built around "chalky tannins and tangy acids
About Winery
Dominique Lafon is a pioneering Burgundy winemaker who revolutionized his family estate, Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault, starting in 1984 by reclaiming vineyards from sharecroppers and adopting biodynamic farming. He launched his own label, SAS Dominique Lafon, in 2008, focusing on high-tension, mineral-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune.
Winemaker Notes
Ripe and tropical, harmonizing fresh lime juice, fresh citrus and petrol stoniness from the Keuka vineyards with cantaloupe and tangerine from the Seneca vineyards. Behind the zingy freshness are a rich body and a discreet creaminess which form a well-balanced union ideal for long-term aging.
About us
Dr. Konstantin Frank; ignited the “Vinifera Revolution”, a movement that forever changed the course of wine growing in the Finger Lakes and the United States. Dr. Frank’s vision, knowledge and determination are credited with elevating the New York wine industry from a state of happy mediocrity to a level that today commands world attention. Located on Keuka lake in the Finger Lakes region, Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines features some of the oldest vinifera vines in the United States and continues to produce wines of distinction and quality. Vinification Only the free run juice from the gently pressed grapes was used. The base wine was fermented at low temperatures to preserve the more delicate characters. Second fermentation took place in the bottle as per the Méthode Champenoise. After leaving the wine resting for more than four years it was disgorged, and dosage was added prior to final bottling
Winemaker Notes
Delicate at first then tropically ripe, brimming with apricot, nectarine and a touch of pineapple. Lemon citrus and acacia blossom balance the sweetness effortlessly. Pair with Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Thai, and Asian cuisines. Pairs well with spicy and aromatic ingredients like pepper, ginger, curry, sesame, and soy. Excellent with Spicy BBQ and Wings or pork.
About us
Dr. Konstantin Frank; ignited the “Vinifera Revolution”, a movement that forever changed the course of wine growing in the Finger Lakes and the United States. Dr. Frank’s vision, knowledge and determination are credited with elevating the New York wine industry from a state of happy mediocrity to a level that today commands world attention. Located on Keuka lake in the Finger Lakes region, Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines features some of the oldest vinifera vines in the United States and continues to produce wines of distinction and quality. Vinification Only the free run juice from the gently pressed grapes was used. The base wine was fermented at low temperatures to preserve the more delicate characters. Second fermentation took place in the bottle as per the Méthode Champenoise. After leaving the wine resting for more than four years it was disgorged, and dosage was added prior to final bottling
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About Winery
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), founded in 1869 in Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy, is widely regarded as the most prestigious wine estate in the world, producing some of the rarest and most expensive wines from its legendary Grand Cru vineyards.
The estate’s history stretches back to 1232, when the Abbey of Saint Vivant acquired vineyard land in Vosne, later expanded by the de Croonembourg family in the 17th century, who renamed it “Romanée” and also purchased La Tâche. In 1760, the vineyard was acquired by Prince de Conti, giving it the name Romanée-Conti. After passing through various owners, the domaine was consolidated in 1869 by Jacques-Marie Duvault-Blochet, forming the modern estate. Today, DRC owns exclusive rights to Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, along with holdings in other Grand Crus such as Richebourg, Grands Échezeaux, Échezeaux, and Montrachet, producing both red Pinot Noir and white Chardonnay wines. Co-directed for decades by Aubert de Villaine and Henri-Frédéric Roch, the domaine has become synonymous with meticulous vineyard care, low yields, and uncompromising quality. Its wines are celebrated for their rarity, complexity, and longevity, making DRC the pinnacle of Burgundy and one of the most revered names in global fine wine.
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About Winery
Domaine Dugat-Py, rooted in Gevrey-Chambertin since the early 17th century, is a family estate now led by Bernard Dugat and his son Loïc, representing the 12th and 13th generations of vignerons.
The Dugat family’s winemaking history began in 1645, with continuous cultivation in Gevrey-Chambertin for centuries. The modern domaine was formally established in 1923, when Fernand Dugat married Jeanne Bolnot, uniting two winegrowing families. Bernard Dugat made his first vinification and vineyard purchase in 1975, marking the start of a new era. In 1994, the estate became known as Domaine Dugat-Py, and Loïc Dugat joined in 1996, ushering in a stylistic evolution toward balance and finesse. The domaine converted to organic farming in 1999 and achieved full certification in 2003, working with old vines across about 10–15 hectares. Known for powerful, age-worthy wines with deep color and structure, Dugat-Py has become one of Burgundy’s most respected names, combining centuries of tradition with modern, detail-focused viticulture under Loïc’s leadership.
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About Winery
Domaine Dugat-Py, rooted in Gevrey-Chambertin since the early 17th century, is a family estate now led by Bernard Dugat and his son Loïc, representing the 12th and 13th generations of vignerons.
The Dugat family’s winemaking history began in 1645, with continuous cultivation in Gevrey-Chambertin for centuries. The modern domaine was formally established in 1923, when Fernand Dugat married Jeanne Bolnot, uniting two winegrowing families. Bernard Dugat made his first vinification and vineyard purchase in 1975, marking the start of a new era. In 1994, the estate became known as Domaine Dugat-Py, and Loïc Dugat joined in 1996, ushering in a stylistic evolution toward balance and finesse. The domaine converted to organic farming in 1999 and achieved full certification in 2003, working with old vines across about 10–15 hectares. Known for powerful, age-worthy wines with deep color and structure, Dugat-Py has become one of Burgundy’s most respected names, combining centuries of tradition with modern, detail-focused viticulture under Loïc’s leadership.
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About Winery
Domaine Éric Forest is a small, family-run winery in Vergisson, Burgundy, rooted in eight generations of winemaking tradition and known for its meticulous, biodynamic approach.
Eric Forest inherited his vineyards—planted between 1930 and 1979—from his family in Vergisson, a village in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy. Deeply influenced by his grandfather’s knowledge of nature and biodynamics, Forest emphasizes manual vineyard work, careful pruning for ventilation, and minimal use of chemicals to preserve the health of the vines. He trained under Jean-Marie Guffens, a renowned local winemaker, before establishing his own domaine in the early 2000s. Today, he cultivates about six hectares of old vines on limestone-rich soils, producing acclaimed Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, and Mâcon-Vergisson wines. His philosophy centers on precision, terroir expression, and sustainability: grapes are hand-harvested, fermented, and aged for 10–15 months in oak barrels, then bottled by hand, often unfiltered. This artisanal approach has earned him recognition as one of the leading vignerons in Vergisson, with wines celebrated for their minerality, energy, and authenticity.
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About Winery
Domaine Frédéric Esmonin traces its origins to the 1970s, when André Esmonin established the family estate in Gevrey-Chambertin after generations of selling fruit to major négociants. In 1988, his son Frédéric joined the domaine, and together they began bottling and marketing wines under their own label, marking a turning point in the family’s history. Frédéric also launched a négociant brand, Les Estournelles, while expanding vineyard holdings to include prestigious Grand Cru parcels such as Ruchottes-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Bonnes-Mares, and Chambertin itself, alongside Premier Cru sites like Lavaux St-Jacques and Estournelles St-Jacques. Today, the domaine spans about 4 hectares, producing wines aged traditionally in oak casks for 14–17 months, with careful use of new oak depending on vineyard status. Known for their purity, structure, and value relative to Burgundy’s elite terroirs, Frédéric Esmonin’s wines embody the family’s evolution from grape suppliers to respected independent producers in the Côte de Nuits.
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About Winery
Domaine Génot-Boulanger began in 1974 when Charles-Henri Génot and Marie Boulanger settled in Meursault, opposite the Château de Citeaux, and acquired their first vineyards in Mercurey. Over the next two decades, they expanded holdings into Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, and eventually into Puligny-Montrachet, Corton, Chambolle-Musigny, and Clos de Vougeot, building a diverse portfolio of terroirs. By 1998, their grandson François Delaby took over, continuing the family’s expansion and refinement of vineyard practices. In 2006, Aude Lavollée, the founders’ granddaughter, and her husband Guillaume became the new generation of custodians, with Guillaume stepping into winemaking in 2007. Today, Domaine Génot-Boulanger spans about 22 hectares across 30 appellations, producing wines that combine Burgundian tradition with modern precision, and is recognized as one of Meursault’s leading family estates.
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About Winery
The Mugneret family established their domaine in 1933, when Jean Mugneret began bottling wines in Vosne-Romanée. His son Georges expanded the holdings, acquiring parcels in some of Burgundy’s most prestigious vineyards, including Échezeaux, Ruchottes-Chambertin, and Clos Vougeot. After Georges’s death in 1988, his wife Jacqueline and their daughters Marie-Christine and Marie-Andrée took over, renaming the estate Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg to honor both Georges and Jacqueline’s family name. Over the years, the sisters have earned acclaim for their meticulous vineyard care and refined, elegant winemaking style, producing wines that balance purity, finesse, and longevity. Today, the domaine spans about 8 hectares and is celebrated worldwide as one of Burgundy’s finest family estates, embodying continuity, tradition, and the quiet strength of women in Burgundy winemaking.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Hans Family Estate Chardonnay from Marlborough is an elegant, complex wine that reflects both the sunny, dry growing season and Hans Herzog’s meticulous craftsmanship. It opens with refined aromas of white peach and subtle lemon zest, supported by a silky texture and layers of concentrated flavor. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied with vibrant acidity that balances its richness, giving the wine energy and lift. A touch of minerality carries through to the long, dry finish, ensuring both freshness and age-worthiness. With 13.5% alcohol and a rounded, complex profile, this Chardonnay has the structure to evolve beautifully in cellar conditions for a decade or more, while offering immediate pleasure with dishes like roasted poultry, creamy seafood, or nutty cheeses.
About Winery
Hans Family Estate, also known as Hans Herzog Estate, is a boutique, family-owned winery located in Marlborough, New Zealand. Founded by Swiss-born winemaker Hans Herzog, the estate reflects his philosophy of producing wines with uncompromising quality and individuality. Herzog brought decades of winemaking experience from Europe to New Zealand, establishing the estate as one of the country’s most respected artisanal wineries. What makes Hans Family Estate distinctive is its organic, hands-on approach: every step from vineyard to bottle is carried out onsite, with meticulous attention to detail. Herzog is known for his experimental spirit, cultivating an unusually wide range of grape varieties—over 29, including classics like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as rarities such as Viognier, Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, and Nebbiolo. This diversity, combined with a focus on small-scale production and age-worthy wines, has earned the estate international acclaim for its eclectic yet consistently high-quality portfolio.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Hans Family Estate Viognier from Marlborough is a rich, full-bodied white that beautifully showcases the varietal’s opulence while maintaining balance and elegance. On the nose, it opens with fragrant white blossoms, honeyed peaches, and apricot, layered with subtle truffle and wild meadow notes. The palate is lush and textured, offering tropical fruit flavors like mango and papaya, accented by ginger, honey, and a touch of vanilla from oak aging. Despite its 14% alcohol, it remains harmonious, with a smooth mouthfeel and a long, refined finish that makes it both luxurious on its own and versatile with creamy dishes, soft cheeses, or spiced Asian cuisine.
About Winery
Hans Family Estate, also known as Hans Herzog Estate, is a boutique, family-owned winery located in Marlborough, New Zealand. Founded by Swiss-born winemaker Hans Herzog, the estate reflects his philosophy of producing wines with uncompromising quality and individuality. Herzog brought decades of winemaking experience from Europe to New Zealand, establishing the estate as one of the country’s most respected artisanal wineries. What makes Hans Family Estate distinctive is its organic, hands-on approach: every step from vineyard to bottle is carried out onsite, with meticulous attention to detail. Herzog is known for his experimental spirit, cultivating an unusually wide range of grape varieties—over 29, including classics like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as rarities such as Viognier, Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, and Nebbiolo. This diversity, combined with a focus on small-scale production and age-worthy wines, has earned the estate international acclaim for its eclectic yet consistently high-quality portfolio.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 HdV Ygnacia Pinot Noir offers a complex aroma of French plums, black cherry, cola, menthol, and bergamot tea, intertwined with rose petal and savory spice notes like white pepper. The wine is characterized by its precision, concentration, and minerality, with smooth, fine tannins providing structure and leading to a balanced palate with flavors of red and black fruit, spice, and a refreshing acidity.
About Winery
HDV Winery, or Hyde de Villaine, was founded in 2000 through a partnership between the Hyde family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine family of Burgundy, brought together by the marriage of Pamela de Villaine (Larry Hyde's cousin) to Aubert de Villaine. The venture produces single-vineyard wines from the esteemed Hyde Vineyards in Napa's Carneros region, blending Old World Burgundian techniques with New World Californian fruit through a philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for terroir.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Heitz Cellar Quartz Creek Vineyard Chardonnay having bright, vibrant, and elegant characteristics, with notes of Meyer Lemon, Hazelnut, and Calla Lily on the nose. The palate is tightly wound with impressive energy, refreshing, and pure, featuring notes of green and yellow apples, white peaches, and hints of chalk dust, acacia honey, and lightly browned toast.
About Winery
Heitz Cellar, founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, is a historic Napa Valley winery known for its pioneering role in single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon production. Joe Heitz, mentored by André Tchelistcheff, helped elevate Napa's reputation and was the first to label a wine with a single vineyard name: Martha's Vineyard. In 2018, the Heitz family sold the winery to Gaylon Lawrence, marking a new chapter for the estate.
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Winemaker Notes
The 2020 vintage presents a pale yellow hue with green hints and a dense, complex nose featuring white blossoms, spicy white pepper, and yellow fruit undertones like apricot and mandarin peel.
About Winery
Domaine Henri Boillot, based in Meursault, is a prestigious, family-run Burgundy estate with roots dating back to 1885. Known for elite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the domaine was re-established in 2005 by Henri Boillot after separating from his brother, focusing on high-end, precise wines. Today, Henri and his son Guillaume manage the estate, with 2011 acquisitions strengthening their holdings in Bâtard-Montrachet.
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Winemaker Notes
The wine features a "scintillating color with a lively lime note" and a brilliant, gracious bouquet of ripe apples, plums, and subtle liquorice. On the palate, as having "majestic creaminess" and exceptional power, revealing complex layers of lemon, butter, almond, honey, and spices.
About Winery
Founded in 1973 by Hubert Lamy in Saint-Aubin, Burgundy, this renowned domaine has grown from 8 hectares to over 18.5 hectares, specializing in high-quality Chardonnay (80%) and Pinot Noir (20%). While the family has worked vineyards since 1640, the estate saw a major transformation after Olivier Lamy joined in 1995, focusing on high-density planting, organic practices, and bottling all production.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and dark at the core. Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and currant are accented by notes of toasted pastry, hazelnut, and vanilla from our extensive barrel aging program. Big, juicy red-fruit flavors infuse the palate while softly textured tannins lead to a long, gratifying finish.
THE J LOHR STORY
Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands.
In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing.
Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines.
PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence.
Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights.
After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose.
In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.
Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc is pale yellow in color and displays aromas of honeysuckle, sweet herbs, lime, and fig. These aromas are complemented on the palate by the bright flavors of grapefruit, kiwi, passionfruit, and lemongrass, with the rich texture and long finish provided by the acacia barrel.
Serve as an aperitif with goat cheese, oysters, or sardines, or enjoy as an entrée with sushi, sashimi, or baked tilapia with Thai basil.
THE J LOHR STORY
Fifty years ago, Jerry Lohr embarked on a career change. What followed would reshape the landscape of the California wine industry and create one of the country’s most popular wine brands.
In the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began an extensive investigation of California grape growing regions – searching for the ideal location for his first vineyard. Jerry was raised on a South Dakota farm; his agricultural roots armed him with an innate sense for the relationship between climate, soil, and location. His research and instincts led him to the Central Coast, an area just beginning to explore its potential for winegrowing.
Four decades ago, the California Central Coast had not yet emerged as one of North America’s world-class winegrowing regions. With little history or viticultural precedent, planting on the Central Coast was a gamble. One of a handful of early pioneers, Jerry Lohr was among the first to realize the inherent potential of Monterey and Paso Robles for producing high quality grapes and superb wines.
PIONEERING MONTEREY AND PASO ROBLES -JERRY LOHR LEGACY-It’s no coincidence that the Central Coast’s emergence as a world class winegrowing region runs parallel with the establishment and growth of J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery. Founder Jerry Lohr is one of the region’s pioneers and has played a larger-than-life role in bringing the area to prominence.
Jerry’s instincts led him to two regions located about 75 miles apart. In the early 1970s, he chose Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco district for its cool, windy climate and rocky soils as ideal for Chardonnay. In the 1980s, he recognized the potential of Paso Robles for growing Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon – given the area’s rich soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings between warm days and cool nights.
After Jerry Lohr’s nearly decade-long search for the right place to plant his first vineyard, he chose a site in Monterey County that was to become the heart of the Arroyo Seco appellation. Jerry originally planted 280 acres in 1972 and 1973 near Greenfield. Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco appellation has proved ideal for growing layered, complex Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brisk winds and fog off Monterey Bay, stony, well-drained soils, and a lack of damaging fall rains all combine to produce grapes with trademark fruit intensity and balancing acidity. In 1974, Jerry unveiled the first J. Lohr winery in San Jose.
In the early 1980s, Jerry Lohr saw the potential for great Cabernet Sauvignon further south. Borrowing a lesson from the French—that great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in very different growing conditions—Jerry began planting Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties in San Luis Obispo County’s little-known Paso Robles region in 1986. With the hands-on devotion of an artisan farmer, Jerry tended to the vines while diligently working toward the creation and development of an adjacent winery and barreling cellars; J. Lohr’s Paso Robles production facility was opened in 1988.
