02 Jan New Year, New Beginnings: Recapping 2023 & What’s To Come In 2024
Greetings from Sonoma County!
As we step into a new chapter and bid adieu to 2023–brimming with rain, surprises, and exceptional grape-growing conditions–we eagerly anticipate the unfolding of a remarkable year ahead. Among the myriad of highlights awaiting us in 2024, one that stands out prominently is the upcoming debut of our highly anticipated Sauvignon Blanc from the esteemed Starscape Vineyard.
2023 Harvest Recap
2023 commenced with an abundance of rain–a blessing considering the dire drought situation we faced in Northern California at the time. Throughout the winter months, nine atmospheric rivers rolled through the area, transforming our landscape and filling reservoirs to historic highs. Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino, once at their lowest levels in 2022, now proudly boast their highest water levels on record–ever! Mother Nature has certainly shown her power.
As the growing season unfolded, the 2023 vintage was uniquely characterized by a delayed start to bloom and consistently cool temperatures. Although the elongated bloom period caused some variations in fruit set, our team believes that nature’s course, paired with extended hang time, contributed to the fruit reaching optimal maturity. Remarkably, we scarcely witnessed temperatures exceeding 100 degrees here in the Russian River Valley, reminiscent of bygone eras according to our seasoned winemakers, who recall similar cool growing seasons from the ’80s and ’90s.
2023 Winemaker Dinner
Another highlight of our year was our annual winemaker dinner, featuring Joseph Jewell wines and Panther Ridge Vineyard, alongside the culinary prowess of Girl & The Fig, which was an exquisite celebration set against the backdrop of a stunning summer evening. The event was a harmonious blend of community, laughter, gastronomic delights, and an array of exceptional wines. As we all revealed in the convivial atmosphere, each sip of wine resonated with the flavors of the meticulously paired dishes, creating a symphony of taste that elevated the evening to an unforgettable experience.
We hope you will consider joining us in 2024!
2023 Press Highlights
Throughout 2023, we were humbled to receive a number of notable reviews for our sustainably crafted wines. We are proud to have had Wine Enthusiast award our 2021 Eel River Pinot Noir with their Editor’s Choice Award with 92 points, and 95 points to our 2021 Russian River Pinot Noir.
In Decanter Magazine, our Jewell reserve wines earned 94 points for both the 2021 Rubies Pinot Noir and 2021 Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir, 92 points for Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, and 91 points for our Emerald Pinot Noir from Humboldt County.
The most exciting news, however, came when we learned that our 2021 Alderpoint Pinot Noir from Humboldt County and Jewell Ritchie Chardonnay from Russian River Valley were poured at a State Department Luncheon in October, hosted by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris in honor of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
New Wine Release in 2024
Looking forward, we are thrilled to announce an exciting addition to our Joseph Jewell lineup of wines this year: Sauvignon Blanc from the renowned Starscape Vineyard. Planted adjacent to the Martini Clone – Old Girls block 15 years ago, this planting of Sauvignon Blanc has piqued our interest for some time. During countless vintages checking in on the Martini Clone block, I’d sample these golden berries and revel in their exceptional flavor profile. Finally, in 2023, I gained access to this exceptional fruit, and am eagerly preparing for its release in 2024. This noteworthy addition to our lineup of wines will be released in April and be available for our Summer Subscription shipments starting in May.
Stay tuned for updates on the Sauvignon Blanc release, the announcement of our annual winemaker dinner, as well as other exciting developments from our winery throughout 2024.
Cheers to a great year ahead!