J Vineyards & Winery Takes a Leadership Position With Its California Pinot Gris

HEALDSBURG, Calif., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With the release of its 2011 vintage this month, J Vineyards & Winery continues to carve out a strong position in the Pinot Gris wine market, growing to become the best-selling California Pinot Gris wine in America.

J Vineyards & Winery, known for its Russian River Valley sparkling wines and Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, has grown to category prominence in two short years since launching its California Pinot Gris.

Though the category is dominated by two large producers — a Pinot Gris from Oregon and a Pinot Grigio from Italy — consumer demand for this alternative white wine is growing at a steady pace.  Pinot Gris sales are up 15% over last year, allowing smaller producers to find a solid niche.

"Consumers are thrilled with what I like to call the 'salivacious' flavors of Pinot Gris," says J Winemaker, Melissa Stackhouse.  "Ours is the evolution of a 'California Style,' featuring a clean, crisp, and vibrant taste profile."

"Our Pinot Gris is the perfect sipper for entertaining with friends," adds Stackhouse.  "This layered and well-balanced wine is a great accompaniment to a variety of cuisines, from Japanese and Mexican, to Indian and Chinese, all accented with a variety of spices."

Pinot Gris (also known as Pinot Grigio) is a white wine grape that contains a DNA connection to Pinot Noir.  The grape generally has a grayish-blue color and is typically produced as a dry white wine that varies in color from a deep golden yellow to copper, and even a light shade of pink.

ABOUT J
J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway south of Healdsburg.  The winery focuses on Brut and Brut Rose sparkling wines, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris Estate varietal wines, produced from grapes farmed primarily within Sonoma County's Russian River Valley appellation.

Founded by Judy Jordan in 1986, J Vineyards & Winery is an independently-owned Sonoma County winery.  The winery is "Certified Sustainable" through the California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance.  To learn more, or to join the J Wine Club, go to www.jwine.com.

SOURCE J Vineyards & Winery