J Vineyards Wraps Up 2009 Harvest

Completed Before Heavy Rains Arrive

HEALDSBURG, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- J Vineyards & Winery wrapped up its
2009 harvest in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley on October 9, and not a
moment too soon. It started pouring rain on October 12. Despite the rain,
cheers were heard on the winery crush pad with the loudest coming from
winemaker George Bursick, a veteran of 31 North Coast harvests.

Bursick looked quite pleased with the overall quality of the fruit and expects
to make exceptional wines from the 2009 vintage. He also breathed a sigh of
relief, dodging a typhoon-influenced storm that dropped some of the heaviest
amounts of rain ever recorded in October in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"It's a great feeling to have all the grapes in the winery just as the October
deluge began," said Bursick. "The long, cool growing season in our Estate
vineyards and throughout our independent grower vineyards provided an
excellent opportunity for the grapes to achieve perfect phenolic ripeness and
superb fruit flavors," he added. "Given the samples I've tasted so far, I
expect 2009 will be another banner year for our Russian River Valley wines."

For most of the growing season, weather conditions along the Russian River
Valley could not have cooperated more fully for vineyard managers. The
growing season was generally uneventful, marked by slightly cooler than
average temperatures and highlighted by fewer heat spikes in June, July and
August. A late burst of heat in September kicked harvest into high gear, and
although one rainstorm made its way through Sonoma County the same month, it
was just light enough to settle the dust.

J Vineyards viticulturist John Erbe agrees with the assessment. "The overall
cool weather combined with warm, but not hot, afternoons allowed the grapes to
ripen at a nice, even pace," he said. "There were no weather issues, and the
progress of this harvest, ending before the onset the first major fall storm,
proved to be well-timed."

Erbe added, "This 'almost perfect' ripening period produced grapes with
uncharacteristically small berries which contributed to 'low juice-to-skin'
ratios, creating wines of unusual depth and concentration. In most cases, the
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir berries were less than one-quarter inch in
diameter."

J Vineyards & Winery is unique in that for twenty years, the winery was
focused entirely on producing highly acclaimed Russian River Valley sparkling
wines. With the arrival of George Bursick in 2006, however, the winery began
a program of high-end Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietal
wines. There is also a Vin Gris, a Viognier, and a Pinotage in the Russian
River Valley portfolio sold exclusively at the winery. A seductive Pinot Gris
is made by the winery, although a good portion of the fruit is presently
sourced in cool climates outside the Russian River Valley, and this will be
the case until additional vines can be planted.

The sparkling wine harvest began in early August, with grapes picked for their
optimum acidity and low sugar levels, a necessity in making world-class
methode champenoise. Upon the completion of the sparkling wine harvest, it was
then time to pick grapes for J's signature Russian River Valley Chardonnay and
Pinot Noir wines. J's varietal wine program now represents about fifty
percent of the winery's production, and more than a few lots from the 2009
Harvest are being considered for special single-vineyard designations.

TASTING J WINES
A visit to the J Vineyards & Winery "Signature Bar" and "Bubble Room" is a
must for anyone headed to Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley. J's two
tasting salons are the perfect hip locations to sample the current vintages
and catch up on the latest winery news and information. The Signature Bar is
open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings are $20 per person for a selection
of five wines.

The Bubble Room features a three-part seasonal food and wine experience
prepared by Executive Chef Mark Caldwell. The menu is designed to highlight
the "terroir" of each of the six wines in the pairings. The cost for the
Bubble Room tasting is $60 per person and reservations are encouraged.

J Vineyards & Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg.
For more information call (707) 431-3646 or go to www.jwine.com.

SOURCE J Vineyards and Winery

George Rose of J Vineyards and Winery, +1-707-431-5233, georgerose@jwine.com