J.C. Somers Vintner

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Country of Origin: USA
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
People: Jay Somers & Ronda Newell-Somers, Owners | Jay Somers, Winemaker

Items

J.C. Somers Vintner 2020 'La Revanche' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Login In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Willamette Valley Login WE 94 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2020 Viognier, Garnier Vineyard, Columbia Gorge Login <1 Case
J.C. Somers Vintner 2020 Gamay, Ridgecrest Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge Login In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2022 'Cuvee Creme' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login On Order
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 'Joie De Chien' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login WE 91 PG 92 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills Login WE 95 PG 94 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills Login WE 92 PG 91 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2019 Wadenswil Pinot Noir, Bella Vida Vineyard, Dundee Hills Login PG 92 In Stock

J.C. Somers is the collaboration between Jay Christopher Somers and his longtime partner and wife Ronda Newell-Somers. The label displays the new moon, which signifies a new phase in their winemaking adventures. After founding and developing the J. Christopher brand starting in 1996, they are returning to their roots producing small quantities of focused, elegant, and terroir-driven wines made from the best sites in the Willamette Valley.

Jay and Ronda a member of The Deep Roots Coalition (DRC), which is an advocacy group for the production of wine sourced exclusively from non-irrigated vineyards. The wineries in this group share a vision regarding viticulture, winemaking and long-term viability of Oregon wine. They feel that vineyards must be dry farmed, and that it is the non-irrigated vines that work hardest to produce fruit that maximizes the true terroir. As is often said, wine is made in the vineyard, and it turns out this is true. Some vineyard sites display exceptional terroir, and the Somers have spent 30 years finding these special places that consistently produce wines of great quality.

The philosophy at J.C, Somers is to produce wines in an Old World style that emphasizes focus, length and balance. As Jay says, “We do not make fruit bombs. We want wines that have a fine balance of fruit, acidity and texture. We want wines that give you more than just a big midpalate blast — wines that are complete.” The key to this, Jay firmly believes, is patient winemaking. It is vital not to rush things but to allow the wines to develop naturally. The wines should evolve at their own pace, with minimum intervention. He is taking inspiration from wines of the Old World and applying it to the terroir of the Willamette Valley.

More About Jay Christopher Somers: Owner and native Oregonian Jay Somers has been making wine in the Willamette Valley for more than 30 years, and established the J. Christopher brand in 1996. Working with great winemakers like his mentor John Paul of Cameron Winery and time spent at Adelsheim and Dry River in New Zealand, Jay’s wines are hand-crafted in small lots and are sourced from some of the best vineyards in the Willamette Valley.

When Jay is not busy making wine he is usually playing guitar and composing new music for his band Portland Cement.

More About Ronda Newell-Somers: Ronda has been with Jay since 1991 and has been an important part of the winemaking team since 1996. Beyond the efforts of marketing and sales, she has been in trenches of harvest and the cellar from the beginning. Most importantly is her moral support and ability to make a great cocktail at the perfect time. She is a huge fan of Nebbiolo, Champagne and of course the wines of the "Holy Land" a.k.a Burgundy. Beyond her love for wine, she is very interested in fashion and like Jay a huge music fan. Most recently she has become a certified Peak Pilates instructor, she will be opening a studio in the near future.

Media Links
Wine & Spirits: Wineries to Watch 2022

Reviews

  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 92 (11/1/2023)

    (Cellar Selection) Wow. Raspberry chewing gum, rose petals and popped sweetcorn aromas are quite the introduction. There's a nice bit of acidity here, but this medium-bodied wine's hefty tannins have yet to unwind. Black cherry and black tea flavors are powerful, with a slightly chewy texture. Enjoy 2024-2034.

  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 95 (11/1/2023)

    (Editors' Choice) This wine's bright red boysenberry aromas and hyacinth aromas join with an earthy scent similar to wet wicker drying in the sun. A wall of sweet red cherries is breached by a battering ram of lemon, while brawny tannins offer support. If the Willamette Valley had grand cru vineyard designations, Abbey Ridge would have one. Bravo.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Willamette Valley
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 94 (11/1/2023)

    (Editors' Choice) Winemaker Jay Somers is a Sauvignon Blanc master who has worked with this vineyard for many years. The intersection of those two facts results in a wine like this, with its electrifying acidity, and aromas of gooseberries, fresh-cut grass and a rhubarb tart. A rhubarb-strawberry combination is graced by a tart tangerine flavor. Absolute torch and twang.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 91 (11/1/2023)

    With enough lemony acidity to give you shivers, the Nouvelle Lune is quite the pick-me-up. Crushed boysenberry and blueberry aromas almost eclipse tiny notes of chalk and hay. Ripe Bing cherry and lemon basil flavors fill the mouth, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lightning bolt of acidity.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 91 (1/12/2024)

    This opens with black cherry fruit and highlights of roasted coffee beans. There’s a youthful sharpness to the mid-palate, and then a fade into darker phenolic flavors of seed and scorched earth, black olive and slightly bitter tannins.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 92 (1/12/2024)

    Stylish and centered on wild berry, black cherry and forest floor flavors, this compelling wine is a blend of grapes from three Dundee Hills vineyards: Abbey Ridge, La Colina and Nicholas Family. A pleasing seam of chocolate and licorice runs across the palate and impacts the tannins. There are other dark notes – black olive, chicory and a sprinkling of black pepper. The palate is open and deliciously accessible.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 94 (1/12/2024)

    This young wine has great grip and concentration, with a mid-palate that is absolutely bursting with cherry fruit. One quarter of the barrels were new with medium to light toast, adding a proportionate frame of butterscotch around the core fruit. The richness is immediately obvious, and the layering suggests more development through the finish over time. I’d hold off a bit and drink this starting in the back half of the ‘20s.
  • J.C. Somers 2019 Wadenswil Pinot Noir, Bella Vida Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 92 (1/12/2024)

    Single clone wines, Jay Somers notes, give a ‘linear expression.’ I take it to mean that they are more tight, more vertical, though less complete in some ways than multi-clone Pinots. Many Oregon winemakers focus on single clone Pinots, and when tasting through a selection of them from a single vineyard and vintage they can be very instructive. This is brambly with raspberry fruit, a touch of tomato leaf and peppery/minty grace notes.