J.C. Somers, Gamay Noir 2020, Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, OR

This delightful Gamay grows in the highly sought after Ribbon Ridge AVA. It has an elegant complexity, and notes of black cherry, spices, black pepper, cedar, bitter chocolate, and a crisp finish. With a super small production of 60 cases, this Gamay Noir from JC Somers is a one-off.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: Oregon

APPELLATION (AVA): Ribbon Ridge

REGION: Willamette Valley

VINEYARD: Ridgecrest Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2020

GRAPES: 100% Gamay Noir

SOIL: Wellsdale Loam

PRACTICE: Sustainably dry-farmed

VINIFICATION: Destemmed, aged in neutral French oak barrels for 12 months.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Medium purple-ruby

BODY: Light bodied

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Light, gentle tannins

PRIMARY AROMAS: Black cherry, spices, cedar, bitter chocolate

FLAVOR: Black cherry and plum, peppery, crisp finish

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pair with a wood-fired pizza.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Jay 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. 

The philosophy at J.C, Somers is to produce wines in an Old-World style that emphasizes focus, length, and balance. As Jay puts it, “We do not make fruit bombs. We want wines that have a fine balance of fruit, acidity, and texture. ​When Jay is not busy making wine he is usually playing guitar and composing new music for his band Portland Cement, check out their new album "The Road to El Groove"  on your favorite streaming app. As Ronda Newell Somers, She 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.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Ridgecrest Vineyard

“Ridgecrest was first planted in 1982 by Harry Peterson-Nedry, marking the first vineyard in what would be the famed Ribbon Ridge AVA. In 1988, Bill Stoller invested in Ridgecrest, setting a course for his entry into the Oregon wine industry. Today, Ridgecrest is divided across three distinct parcels. Chehalem retains a south-facing 29-acre parcel with 22-acres planted to vine.

Established in 2005, the Ribbon Ridge AVA is a small, 6.1 square mile ridge at the western end of the Chehalem Mountains AVA, rising 683 feet from the valley floor, giving it an island-like appearance. While the AVA is predominately Willakenzie soils, Ridgecrest features Wellsdale loam. With a moderate depth and solid water retention, Wellsdale is transition soil series exhibiting characteristics of both volcanic and sedimentary underlying structures.” (chehalemwines.com)

ABOUT THE LABEL: The new moon signifies a new phase in Jay and Ronda’s winemaking adventure.