J Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years of Superb Sparkling Wine

J Vineyards has been producing some of the finest California sparkling wines for 25 years. To celebrate, owner Judy Jordan threw a party for wine club members and fans of the winery. Sipping sparkling wine on the terrace with delicious food pairings was the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon in the wine country.

Judy Jordan is a second-generation winemaker, daughter of  Jordan Winery’s Tom Jordan. She chose to go in her own direction to produce exceptional sparkling wines. While J continues to make the sparkling wines for which they are best known, they have also created a varietals program. Now you can enjoy their white and red wines too. White wines include a crisp Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Voignier. Their red wines include Vin Gris, Pinotage, and several single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley. If you love their sparkling wine, you are certain to enjoy their new offerings too.

For the anniversary celebration, there were seven locations serving wine paired with perfect bite-size hors d’oeuvres. Staff were available to answer questions about the wines and to refill glasses. At the Teardrop Vineyard, guests were served a crisp 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris paired with heirloom tomatoes, pesto, parmiagiano reggiano bites, and Hog Island oysters.

The Bubble Room Terrace served 2008 Russian River Valley Chardonnay paired with summer relish on lemon corn bread, while the Fountain Terrace poured Brut Rose with a J Savory Spice Blend Mais Grille.

The Signature Bar poured their Brut Rose, served with lobster panna cotta – a lobster salad on brioche toast. The VIP Bubble Room served 2004 Vintage Brut Magnum, perfectly paired with Tsar Nicoulai caviar.

Upstairs on the Balcony Lounge, they poured a 2009 Pinot Noir from the Robert Thomas Vineyard, served with grilled masami striploin bruchetta and a pickled onion compote. In the Fermentation Room, there were barrel tastings along with their 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The party occurred during harvest, and if you listened carefully you could hear the gentle hissing signaling the fermentation of sparkling wine.

Their gallery is hosting “A View From the Vineyard,” featuring photographs taken in and around the J Vineyards by George Rose, photographer and communications director for the winery. You can purchase a book of his photographs, The Art of Terroir: A Portrait of California Vineyards in the visitor center.

You may have missed the party, but it’s never to late to have a Jetset experience at J Vineyards. Make a reservation for a tasting in the Bubble Room, where you will be treated to a decadent wine tasting with food pairings. Plan to spend several hours enjoying their broad selection of sparkling and still wines.

To prolong the J experience, join their wine club so that you will receive regular shipments throughout the year. If you live locally, you can always pick up your shipment at the winery, which provides an excuse to sample more of their delicious wine. Consider upgrading to the J Elegance Program, with five shipments of 9-12 bottles, or the J Luxe limited to just 50 people.

Details: J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg, California. Click here for more information about wine tasting. Call (707) 431-5430 or visit the website for more information. Should you decide to spend a weekend in Healdsburg, read about places to stay and dine.