J. Christopher

Andy Pates and Jay Somers

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

J. Christopher Wines is a small winery located on Chehalem Mountain in Oregon's Northern Willamette Valley. Their wines are handcrafted in small lots and are sourced from some of the best vineyards in Oregon.

Vineyards in this appellation that Jay works with include Clos Electrique, Charlie's, Pavillon and Abbey Ridge. Jay is also a member of The Deep Roots Coalition (DRC) which is a rebellious organization composed of the Willamette Valley's most respected winemakers and vineyard owners. The members are Beaux Freres, Brick House, Cameron, Evesham Wood, J. Christopher, Patricia Green and Thomas. These wineries share a vision regarding viticulture, winemaking and long-term viability of Oregon wine. They feel that vineyards must be dry-farmed. And it is the non-irrigated vines that work hardest to produce fruit that maximizes the true terroir. With fruit sources and skill that rival the best of Oregon, Jay Somers is a winemaker to watch. We get a teeny bit of his small production. Do yourself a favor and get on the "Jay train," because it's going to be leaving the allocation station soon.

J. Christopher wines are vegetarian. No egg or fish-products are used."Following international internships and five years with John Paul at Cameron, reflective and experimental-minded Jay Somers founded J. Christopher wines in 1996 with conviction in the principles of biodynamic farming and what he calls “Old World” stylistic sensibility. Meeting a deep-pocketed, multi-talented soul mate and commercial partner in Ernst Loosen of the eponymous Mosel estate, Somers now finds himself in the enviable position of presiding over a newly-constructed and superbly-equipped winery surrounded by a newly-planted former pasture dubbed Appassionata Vineyard (mixed volcanic and sedimentary) whose aspect and proximity to some of Newberg’s best sites (including David Adelsheim’s founding vineyard, not to mention the cluster a mile west on Calkins Lane) can’t help but fire even a jaded wine lover’s imagination; and the wines – given their vibrant style and on the whole extremely reasonable prices – can’t help but stimulate an appetite of more than one sort. Among many unique aspects of J. Christopher is a passion and ambition for Sauvignon Blanc, which Somers and Loosen have backed-up by planting three acres of their home vineyard’s 20 acres with that cepage, the rest being Pinot Noir including – unsurprisingly, given Loosen’s international experience and Somers’ at Cameron – highly, dare I say “colorfully,” diverse vine material including heirloom selections of both Californian and Oregonian origin. Pinot is destemmed – though future deviations from that norm are envisioned – and ferments spontaneously 'which at our ambient temperatures,' notes Somers, 'can take anywhere from 5-10 days.' Extraction is solely via punch-downs and the wine is pressed within a couple of days of reaching dryness; then minimally settled before going to barrel, 25% new. In the newly-dug and exceedingly cold caves, malo is taking place on a Burgundian schedule; in fact, had only recently started when I visited in early June. On occasion (such as in 2009, but not 2010) acid will be added. Alcohol is naturally around 13% on the 2010s and 'even in 2009,' Somers claims that without adjusting most lots 'we managed to keep everything under 14%, which was astonishing.' I tasted all of the 2010 Pinots here (save for the generic) as definitive blends shortly ahead of bottling." - Wine Advocate 2012

Rated Top 100 American Wineries of the Year by Wine & Spirits 11/30/2013

Media Links
VIDEO: Vine Stories - J. Christopher Wines

Social Media
Twitter:@JChrisWines
J. Christopher Facebook

Current Items from J. Christopher

Cat #		Pack-Size	Net	Reviews
6722	J. Christopher 2012 'Lunatique' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley	12-750	$180
6173	J. Christopher 2011 'Uber' Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills	12-750	$300	WA (88-89) WE 91
6581	J. Christopher 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley	12-750	$198
7479	J. Christopher 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley	12-750	$180
5761	J. Christopher 2007 'Appassionata' Pinot Noir (w/ Dr.Loosen), Dundee Hills	6-750	$320	WA 91 IWC 93 WE 94
7014	J. Christopher 2011 'La Mer' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton	12-750	$320	WA 91
7015	J. Christopher 2011 'Lumiere' Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills	12-750	$320	WA 91 WE 89
5934	J. Christopher 2010 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains	12-750	$320	WA (90-91) IWC 91 WE 88
6901	J. Christopher 2011 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains	12-750	$320	WA 91 WE 88
6169	J. Christopher 2010 'Sandra Adele' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills	12-750	$432	IWC 91 WE 89
7016	J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir Cuvée, Dundee Hills	12-750	$320	WA 90
6171	J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains	12-750	$432	WA (91-92+) W&S 91 IWC 92 WE 91
6172	J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Olenik Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains	12-750	$432	WA (89-90+) IWC 90 WE 90
6721	J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley	12-750	$264	WE 88