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Happy Holidays

It’s December and there’s definitely a chill in the air each morning in our Paso Robles and Monterey vineyards. Here at the winery, it’s a time of reflection as we catch our breath after the busy harvest. Our cellar and production crews are staying busy, assessing and working with the young 2017 vintage wines resting in the tanks and barrels.

This is a special time in our Wine Centers, as well, as the holiday decorations go up and the tasting rooms get even busier. They’re bustling with out-of-town guests and folks looking for special gifts for the wine lovers on their list.

One welcoming tradition in the Wine Centers is our popular Mulled Wine. Daily, throughout the holiday season, our hospitality team prepares a batch by combining and warming mulling spices, sugar, and a bit of lemon with our Wildflower Valdiguié. The resulting aromas of cloves and cinnamon fill the room and puts everyone in a festive mood.

Our Wildflower Mulled Wine is super easy to make at home. You’ll need:

2 bottles of J. Lohr Estates Wildflower Valdiguié

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon of nutmeg

3 cinnamon sticks

15 whole cloves

½ cup sugar  

Combine the first five ingredients and bring to a boil. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Quicker than you can say “reindeer on the rooftop,” you have 12 - four ounce servings of warm holiday goodness (for those 21 and over).    

Of course, we’d prefer you come in to try the mulled wine in-person. Our J. Lohr Wine Centers in San Jose and Paso Robles are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. We’d love to see you – please stop by and say hi If your holiday travels bring you our way.

From everyone at J. Lohr, our very best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy holidays!

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Thanksgiving Inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s our favorite time of the year – gathering with family and friends to celebrate and remember all the wonderful things and people in our lives.  

It can also be a hectic time, with the hustle and bustle of getting the house ready for guests. This year we’re thinking “simple but elegant” as we plan the holiday table. Here’s a few snapshots that may serve as inspiration as you prepare for your own special meal.      

From everyone at J. Lohr, warmest Thanksgiving wishes to you and yours!

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Guest Post: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Merlot (But Were Afraid to Ask)

We know you’re on the hunt for the perfect Thanksgiving wine. @foodrepublic shares a fantastic new perspective on Merlot! Get the full story here.

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Guest Post: 5 Ways to Pair J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot With Food

For five perfect pairings for J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot check out @foodrepublic‘s latest blogs. From our fresh herbs to tandoori chicken to chocolate truffles, you don't want to miss out! Find these fresh takes on the food and wine pairing tradition here. 

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J. Lohr Harvest Update

We’re about two-thirds of the way through this year’s harvest in our vineyards in Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley. Our hardworking Vineyards and Winemaking teams are at it pretty much around the clock right now. Early reports indicate fairly high quality across the board.  

Here’s the latest from J. Lohr White Wines Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel: 

2017 J. Lohr Harvest Log Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel reporting 9/29/17      

                          Viognier, Gean Vineyard  – These small, beautiful golden grapes from our vineyard in western Paso Robles kicked off the harvest on September 7!  They were hand-picked and brought to the winery in the cool morning and pressed to taste before fermenting in Acacia puncheons and a poly tank.  The fermentation took its time in the cool cellar, but the wine, now finished, has tropical flavors, gardenia aromas, and a rich palate finish.  We have had three picks of the Viognier this year, due to slight variations in the ripening. Which gives us wonderful options when making the Rhone-style blends!  We are looking forward to pressing the Roussanne from the Gean Vineyard early next week.  

Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco – We have brought in almost all of the Sauvignon Blanc here in Arroyo Seco, destined for our Estates Flume Crossing release.  I was just out there this morning and tasted through the vineyard that we will be picking tomorrow night.  We have flavors of figs, melon, grapefruit, kiwi, and sweet herbs there.  We usually test the sugar levels and look at the Dyostem color hue/flavor analysis weekly, but ultimately determine the harvest date by flavor.  Almost all of the Sauvignon Blanc in-house has already finished fermentation in stainless tank, stainless drum, and Acacia puncheons.  I can’t wait until it all comes together in the blend!

Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco – It is a bit early to tell, but the first Chardonnay juices look quite promising for 2017!  We are noticing white peaches, ripe oranges, and yellow floral flavors in the vineyards.  The first barrel fermentations are going well in the cellar, with ripe apricot and peach and even some creamy flavors already showing from the malolactic fermentation.  We have several possibilities with the various blocks and clones here; it’s looking like a great range of flavors for this vintage.  

Cheers, Kristen B.

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2017 Harvest Photo Album

Friends,

Hope this finds you well. Harvest is underway in our Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley vineyards! Our Vineyards and Winemaking teams are working pretty much around the clock – it is our most exciting (and exhausting) time of the year.

Here’s a few snapshots of the action. Of course you can learn more at JLohr.com and follow-along with harvest updates on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Cheers!

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines

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Lending a Helping Hand

Rita Di Lello J. Lohr Vice President Sales, National Accounts 

Growing up in a very large family of twelve siblings, I appreciated the wonder of going to a restaurant for a family meal on a rare and special occasion.  The experience of getting everyone dressed and out the door required a bit of good fortune, as well as amazing patience from mom and dad, but it was always worthwhile.  

Fast forward to our grand entry at the restaurant.  Our typical entrance was often met with the look of initial terror by the wait staff.  This then usually quickly converted into a warm and welcoming experience as they got to know us.  These hard-working professionals made me feel special, “yes – another chocolate milk please,” but still right at home.  It has stuck with me forever. Dining out was a wonderful experience and one that I wanted to enjoy more of. 

Now, as J. Lohr’s Vice President Sales for National Accounts, I certainly get the opportunity to enjoy dining out more than in my youth.  This has also led me to interact more frequently with the talented restaurant employees who greet me at the door, share details about the menu and wine lists, prepare the food, and get to know me personally.  

The admiration that I have for this profession of hardworking individuals is such that I decided to seek out how I could become more involved with them.  I realized that the food and beverage industry can be challenging monetarily to make ends meet, particularly when life’s hardships enter the picture.  On this journey of discovery to see how I could have an impact, I became acquainted with an organization called CORE – Children of Restaurant Employees. 

CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances. This can be a variety of circumstances such as the illness of a child or of a parent / food & beverage service employee. Since its inception in 2004, CORE has helped over 400 children from more than 200 families across the industry.  CORE has raised over $2.5 million in support of these families.

CORE Executive Director Lauren LaViola and past CORE grant recipient who passed away from cancer in 2013.

The organization is led by a passionate Executive Director, Lauren LaViola. Lauren began working at the organization part-time after she completed graduate school in 2011.  Lauren quickly fell in love with her role at the non-profit and embraced the potential impact that she could have on the lives of people who were in need. The requests that she and her Board approve can be up to $10,000 grants, but, on average, fall between $2,500 and $5,000. The funds are then used in a variety of ways, always specific to the needs of the children. This includes, but is not limited to, medical expenses for the child, mortgages or rent, a trip or experience for the family, the transport of other family members to be nearby during the time of difficulty, groceries, clothing, etc.  

Perhaps one of the most emotional and touching grants that I was exposed to was the donation made to a food and beverage service employee whose daughter was dying from cancer.  The grant was given to the family to redecorate the child’s bedroom into a beautiful paradise of wonder and happiness.  In this child’s final days, this transformation gave her something to look forward to and, after her passing, it became her little sister’s new room and her family’s happy space to go and remember her. The mother spoke of this at the recent VIBE conference I attended in San Diego.  She credited CORE for their generosity in not only the financial contribution, but also the feeling that this family was not alone – that they were part of a community that would assist them in getting through the unthinkable tragedy of losing a child.  The mom was so articulate and genuine; there was not a dry eye in the conference hall. Listening to her story, and feeling her true gratitude to CORE, continues to motivate me to do what I can to support this unique organization as well as other CORE families.   

Just a small glimpse into Bianka’s dream room

Running a small business is hard, especially a nonprofit.  I deeply admire the way that CORE operates on a low administrative budget and attempts to be as “grassroots” as possible.  Exposure is gained through the Ambassador Program, which I am a member of, as well as a dedicated Board, Advisory Council, a COREporate Member program, and social media exposure. 

When I asked Lauren about her vision for CORE, she said that over the next five years she would like for CORE to be the immediate, “go to” organization thought-of by a food and beverage service employee when they are faced with a life-altering circumstance.  She also pointed out that while CORE has currently granted support in 31 states, she knows that the demand for their services spans the nation. This is why CORE is registered to grant support in all 50 states.  She added that CORE would like to have Ambassadors in every state within five years. 

We all have organizations and causes that we are passionate about.  For me, CORE is all about a personal connection.  It is a way to show gratitude to these professionals; through them, I’m allowed to share the industry I love with their wider audience of restaurant patrons, hotel guests, and concessions customers who seek guidance from their servers when making a food and beverage choice.  These individuals’ abilities to represent and pour the wines  of J. Lohr, and my fellow colleague’s wines and beverages, is a skill to be acknowledged. In appreciation for their service, I’m honored to be able to be there for them, in some small way, when they might also need a helping hand. 

To learn more about the great work of CORE, please visit their website.

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All Things Pinot...

Hope this finds you enjoying beautiful June weather, wherever you may be. At my house, the spring cleaning is done, the bougainvillea is blooming, and the patio is “open for business.”  

Impeccable timing. At J. Lohr, our fun “Pinot On The Patio” promotion is underway. As folks shake off the winter doldrums and begin their outdoor entertaining, there really is no more versatile, crowd pleasing wines than Pinot Noir.  

Everyone knows that J. Lohr helped write the book on Chardonnay in California. And that our Seven Oaks release has been one of the country’s most popular Cabernets for decades. But as a big fan of Burgundy’s famous red grape, I’m happy to report that J. Lohr’s three Pinot Noirs keep up their end of the bargain.

Pinot Noir is all about place. When grown in classic, cool climate influenced locales like Burgundy, Oregon, or Monterey, Pinot Noir directly reflects its individual site, its terroir. J. Lohr grows and produces three very distinct Pinots, each with their own style and sense of place.  

The flavor profiles of each of these wines are unique. They balance delicacy and structure that are the hallmarks of Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots, the source appellations in Monterey. The J. Lohr Estates Falcon’s Perch and the J. Lohr Fog’s Reach bottlings come from the Arroyo Seco AVA; the J. Lohr Highlands Bench release is grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands. I love all three but am a particular fan of the the Highlands Bench wine. The S.L.H. has become one of the best known Pinot Noir districts in California; this wine’s ripe plum, smoke, and spice character perfectly demonstrates why.  (full disclosure: I am the former director of the Santa Lucia Highlands’ winegrowers group – so my palate is perhaps a bit biased)

Why go to such lengths to craft three different wines from the grape that many label as ‘finicky’ and ‘capricious?’ Because we can! Steve Peck, J. Lohr’s red winemaker, and Director of Winemaking Jeff Meier have decades of experience with Pinot Noir. Jeff comments: “The key to great Pinot is going the extra mile in the vineyard to produce the highest quality fruit possible and letting the vineyard shine through in the finished wines. Our choices in the cellar – berry sorting, fermenting yeasts, hand punch downs, cooperage – are intended to enhance the vineyard’s fruit statement, not cover it up. Mature vineyards and personal understanding of each block, each row, are requirements for successful Pinot Noir.”

Which leads us back to “Pinot On The Patio.”

One of our most popular wines is the J. Lohr Estates Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir. But it’s not just because of its pure Pinot deliciousness. Did you know that it is the answer to many of life’s most challenging problems? Or that there actually is a perching falcon?

We’ve created a very entertaining series of videos appropriately titled “The Perch.” Winemakers turned film hosts Steve and Brendan lead us on a playful look at everything Pinot Noir. The videos may not change your life but, then again, you never know. Pour a glass of Falcon’s Perch, Fog’s Reach, or Highlands Bench. Then kick back, view, chuckle, and share.  

You’ll find The Perch video series on our special JLohr.com Pinot page. Plus lots of Pinot Noir facts, recipes, and even some “bloopers.”

Have a great summer. And thanks for reading!

Dave Muret, J. Lohr marketing team member

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Happy Mother’s Day From J. Lohr

May is one of our favorite months of the year at J. Lohr. The vineyards are lush with new leaves and flowering is well underway. Our first releases from last fall’s harvest – Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc and Gesture Rose – give us our initial tastes of the 2016 vintage. Our kids’ school year is winding down. And we have Mother’s Day right around the corner! 

A single day is obviously not enough to adequately thank the special moms and caregivers in our lives. But it’s always great to be able to get together with friends and family to honor our mothers and mother figures. It’s easy to take for granted all they do; with our busy schedules, Mother’s Day helps us as an official “stop, remember, and thank” moment for these special people.  

For the last couple weeks on social media, we’ve been celebrating just a few of the amazing moms here at the winery. On our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages, you can learn a bit about four sensational #jlohrmoms – superstars both in the workplace and on the home front: 

Anabella Lopez, Accounts Payable and Payroll

What I do at J. Lohr: “Accounting and Payroll are the main part of my working day.”

On being a mom / grandmother: “I enjoy my grandkids from my two older sons; and I’m excited for a new grandchild arrival with my daughter expecting her first.” Lisa Boissier, Hospitality and Events Manager

Lisa Boissier, Hospitality and Events Manager

What I do at J. Lohr: “I oversee the Events Department at our San Jose Wine Center.

On being a mom: “My kids and I enjoy cuddling, reading, watching movies, hiking, and talking together. Rebecca Schroeder, International Sales Coordinator

Rebecca Schroeder, International Sales Coordinator

What I do at J. Lohr: “I work with our international customers to coordinate their orders; I provide support to our VP of International Sales.”

On being a mom: “My son and I love being outside and hiking, walking, biking, and playing in the park.” Danielle Cox, Sponsorship & Donations Coordinator

Danielle Cox, Sponsorship & Donations Coordinator

What I do at J. Lohr: “I’m our liaison with external sponsor relationships and I manage our community support programs.”

On being a mom: “I love exploring with my son – hiking, camping, going for bike rides, and seeing the world through his eyes.”

To moms, grandmoms, mother figures, and caregivers everywhere, a virtual hug and a big thanks for all you do!

Admiringly,

Your Fans at J. Lohr

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Happy Earth Day From J. Lohr

Earth Day is right around the corner. But when you’re in the business of growing wine grapes, every day is “Earth Day.” 

Conscientious winegrowing is more than just a catchphrase at J. Lohr. We helped “write the book” on vineyard sustainability. In 2010, we became one of the first wineries in the state to earn the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing certification. “Thinking green” is part of our company culture. From Steve Lohr (currently serving as President of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance) to every vineyard and winery associate, we know that quality and reputation begins with stewardship of the land. You can learn more about J. Lohr’s sustainability programs and efforts here.

John Pierini, one of our J. Lohr Vineyard Managers, took the time to share with us his thoughts on a very green and growing part of sustainability – how we use cover crops…   

“Sometimes we plant more than just grapevines in vineyards. “Cover crops” are often planted to cover the ground in the middle space between the vine rows. It is a crop that is not typically harvested, but still requires careful management. Winegrowers are able to choose the crop that best suits the needs for each particular vineyard block.  Some cover crops add nutritional value to the grapes and improve soil tilth. Some are planted to prevent soil erosion and dust. And others are just there to look pretty.” 

“Here at J. Lohr, we incorporate a few different cover cropping strategies tailored to our many different blocks, varietals, and clones. The strategies vary by the age of the vines.  On our young vines, we typically plant a highly leguminous mix every row or every other row – to supply a little extra nitrogen while the new vines grow, to help them fill the trellis. On our more developed vineyards, the extra nitrogen is not desired. So we will select an annual grass mix that will out-compete many of our problematic weeds and use very little water in its growth cycle. If managed correctly, this grass will last 5 to 10 years without replanting. Leaving the grasses undisturbed season-to-season minimizes our “carbon footprint” with less tractor passes, less fuel used, less soil compaction – all tenants of an overall “sustainable” mind set. We try to not disrupt the soil too much with tilling and disking to encourage water infiltration and retention, while also reducing dust in the vineyard.”

Spring 2017 – a mix of barley and crimson clover in one of our younger vineyards. 

Vineyard Manager John Pierini has been with J. Lohr since 2010. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Wine & Viticulture; he oversees the J. Lohr Home Ranch and westside Gean estate. John lives in Paso Robles with wife Caitlyn and sons John and Dominic.

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Celebrating J. Lohr Women

This month has been a lot of fun, as we have collectively celebrated Women’s History Month. At J. Lohr, though, we don’t need a special month or day to acknowledge women’s roles in our company. We are fortunate to have some of the best and the brightest in the industry working for us! From second generation owner Cynthia Lohr to Kristen Barnhisel, who makes all of J. Lohr’s white wines, to company vice presidents in sales and in marketing – within every department, women occupy many of the most important positions here. In the vineyards, in the cellars, in the front office, in the visitor centers, at J. Lohr expertise and talent knows no gender.  

Many of our readers have met Cynthia Lohr at a reception or spoken with Kristen Barnhisel at a tasting. But you probably do not know some of the other stellar women involved in the behind-the-scenes, day-to-operations at J. Johr.  Throughout March, we’ve been doing “shout-outs” on our social media platforms to many of our female contributors, using the hashtag #JLohrWomen. If you’re not following us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages (and why aren’t you?), here’s a few of the way-cool members of the J. Lohr team you missed hearing about:   

Anji Perry, Viticulurist What I do at J.Lohr: “As the Viticulturist, I am responsible for developing and collecting technical data and best practices research that ensures high quality and sustainability in our vineyards.”   

What I do away from J. Lohr: “When not at work, you are likely find me on the tennis court with my husband. We are both avid players and fans. I also love gardening, traveling, cooking, good food and wine, and spending time with friends, family and our dog, Anabelle.”

  Taryn Cooper, Enologist

What I do at J.Lohr: “I’m responsible for all wine chemistry. Through blending and fining trials and more, I work with our winemakers to assure that all J. Lohr releases are of the highest quality and reflect the uniqueness of our vineyards.”

What I do away from J. Lohr: “I’m a Champagne lover with a passion for travel, delicious food, and the sea.”

  Laura Marble, Wine Club Director

What I do at J. Lohr: “Ensure the happiness of our 3,700+ club members by procuring carefully chosen J. Lohr wines, producing captivating newsletters, engaging frequent winery to member communication, and organizing amazing club events. I’ve been with J. Lohr for fifteen years.”

What I do away from J. Lohr: “My family name is ‘LaLa’. Family is Number One in my life, followed closely by good friends, good riding, and tending to my property and animals (including my Yorkie ‘Mo’) at ‘El Rancho de LaLa’!”

  Susan Kanzaki, Laboratory Supervisor

What I do at J. Lohr: “I began my career at J. Lohr performing all of the laboratory analyses. I am responsible for tracking every wine from, grape to bottle, through our winery management system.”  

What I do away from J. Lohr: “I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters; I also keep busy outside of work with creative outlets like crocheting and scrapbooking and card making.”

  Mary C. Hrkac, San Jose Wine Center Manager

What I do at J. Lohr: “I manage all operations of our J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center.”

What I do away from J. Lohr: “I’m a girl from the South Side of Chicago, Godmother, Croatian (last name pronounced ‘Her-kotch’), explorer, inspired to celebrate, smile, and create. Looking forward to upcoming travel to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany.”

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Cynthia Lohr on Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium

“March is Women’s History Month and this week is the annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium in Napa. I am very proud of J. Lohr’s continuing role within the Women of the Vine & Spirits Alliance. At J. Lohr, we are fortunate to have extremely talented women in many of our key roles. Included in this impressive line-up of fabulous, fearless J. Lohr women are VP Sales Services/Direct Sales Cindy Paup, VP International Sales Shaune Zeleny, VP Marketing Rhonda Motil, VP National Accounts On-Premise Rita Di Lello, Winemaker, White Wines, Kristen Barnhisel, long-time Wine Club manager Laura Marble and Wine Center Director Diane Moreno, and many others in every part of our operations.

And this is just the start! An outgrowth of author Deborah Brenner’s 2007 collection of tales from the field aptly called “Women of the Vine,” the three-day Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium joins female and male leaders to enrich the dialogue and opportunities at every stage of a woman’s career with mentorship, networking, best practices and leadership cultivation. The Symposium has already left a profound imprint on today’s employee culture through intra-company women’s initiatives. It has become its own mini-movement, with available tickets selling out to the general public in less than 24 hours!

Regardless of gender, it’s the collection of individuals, working together at every stage of a business toward a common goal, that makes a great company.  Our J. Lohr family of employees is united to make the best possible wines we can from our chosen appellations to give pleasure to our friends, family, and customers. It’s a commitment we take to heart each and every day.” - Cynthia Lohr

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J. Lohr at Cinequest

The Oscars may be over but more movie magic is underway in San Jose! The annual Cinequest Film Festival kicked-off in the Bay Area this week with a series of premieres, screenings, and opening night festivities. This is Cinequest’s 27th year. The festival runs from February 28 to March 12 and will be showing 129 international and U.S. premieres, along with hosting various  panels, awards, and experiences. Cinequest’s “Maverick Spirits Award” honors film luminaries; past recipients include Harrison Ford, J.J. Abrams, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ben Kingsley, Kevin Spacey and Sir Ian McKellen.

The historic California Theatre in San Jose is one of several venues for Cinequest

Philanthropic support of the arts and of education have been two long standing priorities for the Lohr family.    J. Lohr was an early patron of Cinequest and for the 2017 edition is the official wine sponsor of the festival.   

The opening night debut screening of “The Last Word” starring Shirley MacLaine found J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center Manager Mary Hrkac in attendance. Mary gives us her capsule review of the movie and the evening: “Downtown San Jose was energized and fun with a festive mix of Cinequest attendees, Sharks’ fans and Mardi Gras celebrations. I know I'm always in for a real treat on Cinequest opening night.” 

“The California theater was packed and the movie of the night didn't disappoint. Actress Shirley MacLaine is an acting icon and she is sensational in “The Last Word.” It was thrilling to be able to see the premiere; the Q&A session following with the film’s director, Mark Pellington, was very real and sincere. And, of course, the   J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay and Highlands’ Bench Pinot Noir being poured showed beautifully at the post-premiere party at the Farmers Union restaurant.”

At Cinequest opening night: film director Mark Pellington of “The Last Word” with J. Lohr Wine Center Manager Mary Hrkac

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Valentine’s at Brenden’s House

Our Assistant Red Winemaker Brenden Wood is part of our superstar production team and an all-around “Renaissance guy.” Despite his busy schedule as a vintner and a dad of three, he still finds time to think ahead on how best to impress his wife for Valentine’s Day.

We cornered Brenden to get his take on his favorite V-Day food and wine pairings. Here’s hoping you find inspiration in his suggestions to add some flavorful sparks to your own celebrations:

“Cupid’s big day is almost here and there’s no better way to demonstrate our love and affection than by sharing great food and wine. These are three of my go-to pairings; they are delicious, fun in the kitchen, and sure to impress: 

1.     Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Crostini paired with J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguie’

Valdiguie’ is a versatile grape variety with a spry, lively palate and fresh red berry flavors. Feel free to improvise with your own toppings for the goat cheese crostini. Asparagus, arugula and dried tomatoes are among the many ingredients that can play well.

2.     Grilled Lobster Pasta in Light Tomato Sauce paired with J. Lohr Fog’s Reach Pinot Noir

Lobster is a special treat but grilling lobster is easy and quick. The spicy scent and graceful palate of our Fog’s Reach Pinot helps to accentuate the succulent lobster flavors without overpowering it.

3.     Chocolate Fondue paired with J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon

Chocolate is surely one of the world’s most popular “aphrodisiacs.” Include these delicious dippers as they are believed to have their own love-inducing properties: figs, strawberries, cherries, and walnuts. Be sure to splash some Hilltop Cabernet into your chocolate sauce.“

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GUEST POST: HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Courtesy of Jenny Shieh, Marketing Associate, a look at wonderful family traditions and dishes celebrating the Year of the Rooster. Plus, of course, some J. Lohr wine pairings…

Decorations

 Spring roll (chun jian) represents as gold bars which symbolizes as wealth, Turnip cake (Luo buo gao) means good luck. Pairs well with 2015 J. Lohr Estates Bay Mist White Riesling.

Dumplings (Jiao Zhi) ring out the old year and ring in the new. Pairs well with 2015 J. Lohr Gesture Viognier.

Mustard greens (chang nian cai) means longevity. Pairs well with 2015 Estates J. Lohr Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc.

Chicken represents unity and a good marriage between families. Pairs well with 2014 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fish (Yu) means may the year bring prosperity. Pairs well with 2014 J. Lohr Fog’s Reach Pinot Noir.

Red Bean rice cake (nian gao) means increasing prosperity year after year. Pairs well with 2014 J. Lohr Late Harvest Riesling.

Brown Sugar Sponge Cake (Fa Gao) means prosperity. Pairs well with 2014 Late Harvest Riesling.

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New Year In The Cellar

Happy New Year! Hope you had a happy and healthy holidays’ season. For our first blog of 2017, we thought we’d check with our white wines winemaker to see what’s going on behind closed cellar doors during the winter. (editor’s note: Kristen will be a featured panelist at the upcoming Women of the Vines conference in Napa Valley)  

Wintertime and the Living’s…Slow? (not really) By Kristen Barnhisel, - J. Lohr Winemaker, White Wines

“January is always an interesting time around the winery here in Monterey County.  While the vines outside are dormant and the Arroyo Seco River is flowing well, we are busy in the winery tending to the young 2016 wines in barrel.  The cellar crew is busy stirring each Chardonnay barrel weekly, in traditional Burgundian style, encouraging the yeast to break down, mix with the wine, and enhance and lengthen the mouthfeel of the wines. As I mentioned in my last blog, the flavors and acids from the long, cool growing season are very impressive! The flavors currently range from mineral to fresh strawberries to peaches and cream.  They are just finishing malolactic fermentation for our style and will be sulfured soon.  Extending the malolactic fermentation, while protecting the wine from oxygen and stirring the lees, is one of the most effective ways to build character and complexity in the wines.  I can’t wait to see how the components for our 2016 Riverstone, October Night, and Arroyo Vista Chardonnays will show individually and in the blends!”

“Meanwhile, the 2016 Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc is already showing great promise with the key lime, sweet herbs, and tangerine characters typical of the Arroyo Seco; the Carol’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley is reflecting more honeysuckle, Meyer lemon, passionfruit, fig, and melon flavors, with the acidity and texture in lovely balance.  These wines are already done with fermentation and we are starting to make the initial blends for the 2016 vintage bottlings.  I am so excited to see how well the wines complement each other! I look forward to sharing these blends with you this spring!“ Cheers, Kristen

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Holiday Wishes From Steve Lohr

Friends,

Another year is almost in the books. I hope this finds you and yours enjoying a fun and festive holiday season.

Here at the winery, our young, just harvested 2016 wines are slowly developing into unique expressions of our Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley terroir. Jeff, Steve, Kristin, and the entire winemaking team are really enthusiastic about the new vintage. Of course, though, you will be the ultimate judge when the ‘16s are released.

In the meantime, we have some sensational current J. Lohr releases to enjoy. We are very gratified by all the positive press and 90+ point scores our wines garnered this year.

On a family note, we’ll be celebrating our founder and my father Jerry Lohr’s 80th birthday in a couple weeks. It coincides with his receiving the “American Wine Legend” award from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. I know he is very proud of the honor. But prouder still of the continuing journey our vineyards and winery have taken since he first began planting Chardonnay in 1972.

We are deeply grateful for your support of our family’s winemaking efforts. Our very best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy holidays and New Year.  

All the best,

Steve Lohr