Adding some Californian sparkle to Women’s History Month

Celebrate Women’s History Month with a selection of iconic Californian still and sparkling wines from J Vineyards & Winery. Crafted under the watchful eye of Head Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock since 2015, these sparkling wines and striking cool climate varietal wines offer unparalleled balance, purity of fruit and sense of place, making them perfect for raising a toast this Women’s History Month.

Nicole studied Viticulture and Oenology at renowned University U.C. Davis. After stints working in Italy and Western Australia, followed by time at some of California’s biggest producers including Robert Mondavi and E & J Gallo Winery, Nicole joined J Vineyards where she has become renowned as one of the finest cool climate winemakers in California overseeing the entire portfolio, consisting of 12 traditional method sparklings, 10 different Pinot Noirs, multiple Chardonnays, a rosé and a Pinot Gris.

Learning has been vital to Hitchcock’s career. As a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, J Vineyards & Winery strongly believes in supporting the continued growth of women in the wine and spirits industry. “It’s important to get to know people throughout the industry because it’s not as big as people might think. Those relationships can be fun and help you through your career,” says Hitchcock about finding mentors and support.

A leading light in high quality cool climate wines, Nicole incorporates many elements of Old-World techniques and philosophies into J’s winemaking process, furthering the brand’s reputation for grace and subtlety: from hand harvesting fruit overnight to guarantee cool conditions, the best quality fruit and retention of aromatics, to sensitive use of new & old French oak barrels, each step in the process is carefully considered to create the best possible finished wine.

Located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, J’s vineyards offer the ideal climate for growing expressive, world-class sparkling wines and nuanced varietal wines. “There are limitless opportunities to create world-class wines from this wine-growing region,” Hitchcock says. J Vineyards & Winery includes nine distinct estate vineyards located on over 254 acres, where some of the finest Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris is grown in the US.

Marked 96 points by Decanter, J Cuvée 20 Brut NV has an elegant mousse and a complex palate of lemon meringue, apple, and ginger snap, which makes for a wonderful aperitif or match for seafood dishes such as lobster ravioli, while both J Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and J Russian River Valley Chardonnay have the complexity and depth of flavour to stand up to richer dishes such as roast chicken or mushroom risotto.

Women’s History Month is dedicated to raising awareness and empowering women by discovering, documenting and celebrating women’s lives and achievements, with a vision of a diverse society where everyone’s contributions are celebrated and recognised equally.

J Brut NV – £29.99 (£24.99 mix of 6)

J Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 2017 -£34.99(£29.99 mix of 6)

J Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 2017 – £29.99 (£19.99 mix of 6)

Available in store and online at Majestic.

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