J VINEYARDS & WINERY’S ESSENCE TASTING TO SET NEW STANDARD IN LUXURY WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCES IN SONOMA’S RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
The 7-course experience begins with an Amuse of Kumamoto Oyster and Osetra Caviar, paired with J’s Vintage Brut.
Those who seek the ultimate luxury wine experience need look no further than J Vineyards & Winery’s new “Essence Tasting,� which launches on Thursday, August 30th. Located in Healdsburg, California in the heart of the Russian River Valley, J has added a new tier to its already exceptional food and wine experience. Blending together a seven-course wine and food pairing, vineyard tour, wine education and refined hospitality, J’s multi-sensory culinary experience is the pièce de résistance of wine country style. Epitomizing J’s affinity with elegance and luxury, the Essence Tasting is an exclusive experience only offered each Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a maximum number of eights guests per week. The cost is $200 per person, including transportation to one of their estate vineyards and an exclusive private hosting in their newly remodeled Bubble Room. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 707.431.5430.
Chef Mark Caldwell impresses discerning palates with a daring pairing: Artichoke Bisque and J’s Pinot Gris.
“At J, we’ve always believed that wine and food should be enjoyed together and continually strive to stay ahead of the curve by providing each guest a unique wine country experience through signature tastings at our Tasting Bar, the Bubble Room and our seasonal outdoor Terrace,â€? said J owner Judy Jordan. “With our new Essence Tasting, guests will have an unparalleled experience that takes them from the vineyard to the table, where all of their senses will be aroused.â€?
Guests begin the day at the J Vineyards & Winery Visitor Center with a tour of Nicole’s Vineyard—one of J’s eight estate vineyards—located on an exquisite hilltop property that is the foundation for J’s dedication to Pinot Noir. While sipping on a glass of J’s elegant Nicole’s Vineyard Pinot Noir in the vineyard, a wine specialist will discuss the beauty and uniqueness of the Russian River Valley and the reasons J focuses entirely on this cool-climate region for the production of Vintage Brut, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Upon returning to the winery, guests are led into the newly remodeled Bubble Room, where J Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell presents a seven-course tasting menu paired with J’s wines, rivaling the experience of top fine dining establishments.
For Kevin Burton, J’s Retail Operations Director, the Essence Tasting is the apex of his vision for offering a world class food and wine pairing unlike any other. “Offering guests a refined, elegant and unique experience at J is of utmost importance to us. The Essence Tasting is a testament of our dedication to upholding the highest standards for hospitality in the Russian River Valley wine country,� said Burton.
The Essence Tasting menu will change seasonally beginning with the summer menu featured below:
Amuse
Kumamoto Oyster, Osetra Caviar
J Vintage Brut
Summer Artichoke Bisque
J Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley
Caramelized Day Boat Scallop, Frisée, Micro Greens, Orange Saffron Reduction
J Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Refresh
J Rosé Sorbet
Porcini Mushroom Crusted Noisette of Lamb, Baby Leek-Yukon Gold Potato Purée,
Haricot Vert, Pinot Noir Reduction
J Pinot Noir, Robert Thomas Vineyard
J Pinot Noir, Nicole’s Vineyard
Global Artisan Cheeses
J Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Dessert
Pistachio Ice Cream, Skipstone Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fleur de Sel
Meiwa Kumquat Panachée, White Chocolate Sucre
Summer Fruit
J Brut Rosé
J Ratafia
J’s Pinot Noirs are sublime with the Porcini Mushroom-Crusted Noisette of Lamb.
Visiting J Vineyards & Winery
With its prime location in Healdsburg, the modern and sophisticated Visitor Center is a distinct contrast to its agricultural surroundings. J welcomes guests to a visitor center that resembles more of a hip lounge—sans the attitude—than the more common conservative tasting rooms. The Visitor Center features a metal and glass installation and bar by Gordon Huether that sets the tone of the room. Everything from the ambience and the food and wine menu to the items offered for purchase to the fixtures in the tasting room reflects J’s contemporary, urbane and sophisticated personality.
Through the retail on offer in the Visitor Center—from cookbooks and unique serving utensils to handmade, etched glassware and engraved champagne buckets—guests can purchase items to recreate their J experience at home.
In addition to the Essence Tasting, the J Visitor Center has a trio of tastings available:
Signature Tasting Bar: J wines are served in flights of four and each is paired to a specific selection of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres. The combinations by Chef Caldwell are designed to create a delicious play of flavors and textures to complement its line of still and sparkling wines. Tasting Room flights are $25 per person and all begin with J’s signature bubbly.
Bubble Room: The Bubble Room opened in 2004 to offer guests older vintages and small production wines that are only available at the winery. The Bubble Room provides a more luxurious setting with seating and table service. Bubble Room flights are $55 per person and feature enticing seasonal menus such as the “Indulgence Flight,� a pairing of four sparkling wines with a selection of Tsar Nicoulai caviars or a flight of four Russian River Pinot Noirs with braised short ribs and soft shell crab tempura. The Bubble Room is open Friday through Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended for the Bubble Room, 707.431.5430.
The Terrace: Beginning each spring, visitors may enjoy an outdoor wine and food experience on the J Terrace. Chef Caldwell matches J’s signature sparkling wines and classic Russian River varietals with an epicurean presentation of cheeses, pâtés, and cured meats from local farms including Pugs Leap Farm, Bellwether Farms, and Cowgirl Creamery. The J Terrace tasting menu is $35 per person and reservations are not required. The J Terrace reopened on May 1, 2007, and hours are Friday through Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tours of J Vineyards & Winery are offered by appointment daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours are by appointment and focus on the art of sparkling winemaking in the méthode champenoise facility. Located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway, the Visitor Center is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Bubble Room is open Friday through Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended for the Bubble Room, 707.431.5430. For assistance in planning a visit to J Vineyards & Winery, please call the J Visitor Center at 707.431.3646.
Getting There:
From San Francisco:
Take Highway 101 North about 60 miles to the Arata Lane exit in Windsor. Turn left (west) on Arata Lane, and then turn right on Old Redwood Highway, travel about 2 miles until you reach the underpass at Eastside Road. Continue straight, and turn left into the next driveway at 11447 Old Redwood Highway. Bear left, and follow the driveway to the trellis-covered walkway.
From the North:
Take Highway 101 South to the Old Redwood Highway/Healdsburg Avenue exit. Turn right and proceed south for about 2 miles. Turn right into the driveway at 11447 Old Redwood Highway (J is the last driveway before Eastside Road.) Bear left, and follow driveway to the trellis-covered walkway.
About J Vineyards & Winery
J Vineyards & Winery, like great wine, continues to get better with age. Located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg, CA, J produces site-specific Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, as well as the highly-lauded J Vintage Brut and J Brut Rosé. Considered a pioneer in Sonoma County for the enhanced tasting room experience, J Vineyards & Winery offers sumptuous food and wine pairings at the tasting room, paired to perfection by Executive Chef Mark E. Caldwell. For more information about J Vineyards & Winery go to www.jwine.com, or call 1.800.JWINECO.
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