Aaron Pott Named a 2012 Food & Wine "Winemaker of the Year"

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- World renowned Napa winemaker Aaron Pott has been named a 2012 "Winemaker of the Year" by Food & Wine magazine in its November issue hitting newsstands now. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121015/PH92561 )

Pott is the winemaker for the complete line of Joseph Carr wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, $19.99). "This is great honor for Aaron who is truly one of the premier winemakers in California, with a career spanning two decades and multiple countries.  It has been a pleasure working with him on the 2010 wines that we just released," said Joseph Carr.

"Winemaker of the Year" is selected by the magazine's editors, noting that Pott is "trying to take Napa Cabernet back to its roots."  Quoting Pott, "I think I'm looking for what existed in Napa before the late '90s.  All these artificially concentrated, superfruity wines are a bit boring.  I've tasted so many great, older Napa wines, and I always wonder, Why aren't we making these wines anymore?"

Having worked for some of the finest chateaux in Bordeaux and now making some of the most sought-after, cult wines in California, Pott was excited by the prospect of working with Joseph Carr on a wine that is more affordable and more available across the country than any of the winemaker's other projects.  "I wanted to show people that you can make outstanding wine at this price.  Ultimately, I thought about my mom who lives in a small town in Oregon.  She can't get her hands on some of these limited production wines," said Pott.  "Joseph and I are excited to bring to market a wine that is accessible to everyone at $20, but with the quality and style that only Napa can create."

Of course, accolades are not new to Pott. His wines have garnered dozens of 90+ scores in Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.  Pott was called "the Mouth Behind Some of Napa's Best Wines" in the April 6th edition of the Wall Street Journal.  

The 45-year old Pott has worked for leading, prestigious wineries in both Napa and Bordeaux. Upon his graduation from the University of California at Davis in 1990 he joined Napa's Newton Vineyard as assistant winemaker. Upon the referral of legendary winemaker Michel Rolland, who was consulting with Newton Vineyard, Pott accepted a winemaking position at Premier Grand Cru Classe Chateau Troplong-Mondot in St. Emilion, Bordeaux.  He spent six years living, working, and studying in France, earning a Masters Degree in viticulture at the Universite de Bourgogne in Dijon, and in 1994, joining another Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux producer, Chateau la Tour Figeac. He returned to the U.S. in 1998 to join Beringer where he made wines in Italy, France and Chile.  In 2004 he joined Quintessa Estate, as Head Winemaker and General Manager. In 2007, Pott and his wife Claire started Pott Wine.

With more than 30 years in the industry, Joseph Carr is recognized as a leading American negociant, producing ultra-premium, old-world-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. Carr also produces an ultra-premium line under the label Josh Cellars, a tribute to his father.  Both wine labels are marketed nationally by Deutsch Family Wines & Spirits.

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Melanie Young
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SOURCE Joseph Carr