J.C. Somers Vintner

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

Items

J.C. Somers Vintner 2020 'La Revanche' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Login — <1 Case
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 'La Revanche' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Login WE 92 PG 94 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2022 'Joie de Chien' Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley Login — In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Willamette Valley Login — In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2020 Gamay, Ridgecrest Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge Login — <1 Case
J.C. Somers Vintner 2022 'Cuvee Creme' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login — In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 'Joie De Chien' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login — In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Login WE 91 PG 92 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills Login WE 95 PG 94 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills Login WE 92 PG 91 In Stock
J.C. Somers Vintner 2019 Wadenswil Pinot Noir, Bella Vida Vineyard, Dundee Hills Login PG 92 In Stock

J.C. Somers Vintner is a collaboration between Jay Christopher Somers and his longtime partner and wife, Ronda Newell-Somers and consists of a collection of vibrant wines that showcase the diversity and richness of the Willamette Valley. From elegant and refined Pinot Noir to crisp and mineral Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, each wine is a celebration of the unique terroir that makes the Willamette Valley region so special.

Jay has been crafting wine in the Willamette Valley for over 30 years. After founding the J. Christopher brand in 1996, following his work with mentor John Paul of Cameron Winery and Adelsheim, he has now returned to his roots with J.C. Somers Vintner. The label features a new moon, symbolizing a new phase in his winemaking journey. At J.C. Somers, the focus is on producing hand-crafted small lot wines that emphasize focus, length, and balance.

Jay and Ronda are members of The Deep Roots Coalition (DRC), an advocacy group promoting wine sourced exclusively from non-irrigated vineyards. The wineries in this group share a vision for sustainable viticulture, winemaking, and the long-term viability of Oregon wine. They believe that dry farming is essential, as non-irrigated vines work harder to produce fruit that truly reflects the terroir. The Somers have spent 30 years identifying exceptional vineyard sites that consistently yield high-quality wines. As one of the original pioneers of Oregon wine, they have cultivated relationships with top-tier growers in the region. They source grapes from some of the finest vineyards, including Abbey Ridge (collaborating since 1993), Croft Vineyard (partnering since 1999), and La Colina, often referred to as Jay's “secret sauce.”

The philosophy at J.C. Somers is to produce wines in an Old World style, emphasizing 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. We want wines that give you more than just a big midpalate blast—wines that are complete.” Jay firmly believes in patient winemaking, allowing the wines to develop naturally with minimal intervention. Drawing inspiration from Old World wines, he applies these principles to the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley.

More About Jay Christopher Somers: Owner and native Oregonian Jay Somers has been crafting wine in the Willamette Valley for over 30 years. With experience gained from working alongside esteemed 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 batches and sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Willamette Valley. When not making wine, Jay is often found playing guitar and composing new music for his band Portland Cement.

More About Ronda Newell-Somers: Ronda has been by Jay’s side since 1991 and a crucial part of the winemaking team since 1996. Beyond her roles in marketing and sales, she has been actively involved in harvest and cellar work from the start. Her moral support and talent for crafting the perfect cocktail at just the right moment are invaluable. Ronda is a devoted fan of Nebbiolo, Champagne, and the wines of Burgundy. In addition to her passion for wine, she has a keen interest in fashion and, like Jay, is an avid music enthusiast.

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Wine & Spirits: Wineries to Watch 2022

Reviews

  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 92 (11/1/2023)

    (Cellar Selection) Wow. Raspberry chewing gum, rose petals and popped sweetcorn aromas are quite the introduction. There's a nice bit of acidity here, but this medium-bodied wine's hefty tannins have yet to unwind. Black cherry and black tea flavors are powerful, with a slightly chewy texture. Enjoy 2024-2034.

  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 95 (11/1/2023)
    (Editors' Choice) This wine's bright red boysenberry aromas and hyacinth aromas join with an earthy scent similar to wet wicker drying in the sun. A wall of sweet red cherries is breached by a battering ram of lemon, while brawny tannins offer support. If the Willamette Valley had grand cru vineyard designations, Abbey Ridge would have one. Bravo.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 'La Revanche' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 92 (11/1/2023)
    This wine is not for butter lovers. This is instead a wine for the adventurous, like Alice's “Drink Me” bottle. It begins with the nutty aroma of a fino sherry, followed by tangy lemon and chalk notes. A soft texture with medium acidity awaits, with flavors like passion fruit, basil and Ligurian olive oil.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
    Wine Enthusiast
    Rating: 91 (11/1/2023)
    With enough lemony acidity to give you shivers, the Nouvelle Lune is quite the pick-me-up. Crushed boysenberry and blueberry aromas almost eclipse tiny notes of chalk and hay. Ripe Bing cherry and lemon basil flavors fill the mouth, supported by fine-grained tannins and a lightning bolt of acidity.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, La Colina, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 91 (1/12/2024)
    This opens with black cherry fruit and highlights of roasted coffee beans. There’s a youthful sharpness to the mid-palate, and then a fade into darker phenolic flavors of seed and scorched earth, black olive and slightly bitter tannins.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 'Nouvelle Lune' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 92 (1/12/2024)
    Stylish and centered on wild berry, black cherry and forest floor flavors, this compelling wine is a blend of grapes from three Dundee Hills vineyards: Abbey Ridge, La Colina and Nicholas Family. A pleasing seam of chocolate and licorice runs across the palate and impacts the tannins. There are other dark notes – black olive, chicory and a sprinkling of black pepper. The palate is open and deliciously accessible.
  • J.C. Somers 2021 Pinot Noir, Abbey Ridge Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 94 (1/12/2024)
    This young wine has great grip and concentration, with a mid-palate that is absolutely bursting with cherry fruit. One quarter of the barrels were new with medium to light toast, adding a proportionate frame of butterscotch around the core fruit. The richness is immediately obvious, and the layering suggests more development through the finish over time. I’d hold off a bit and drink this starting in the back half of the ‘20s.
  • J.C. Somers 2019 Wadenswil Pinot Noir, Bella Vida Vineyard, Dundee Hills
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 92 (1/12/2024)

    Single clone wines, Jay Somers notes, give a ‘linear expression.’ I take it to mean that they are more tight, more vertical, though less complete in some ways than multi-clone Pinots. Many Oregon winemakers focus on single clone Pinots, and when tasting through a selection of them from a single vineyard and vintage they can be very instructive. This is brambly with raspberry fruit, a touch of tomato leaf and peppery/minty grace notes.

  • J.C. Somers 2021 'La Revanche' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley
    Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide
    Rating: 94 (1/12/2024)

    (Featured) More than a few Willamette Valley vintners have found ways to make elegant, detailed and delicious Chardonnays without relying upon super ripe fruit or super toasty barrels. This very fine example was fermented and aged in 500 liter barrels; it was not put through secondary (malolactic) fermentation. It’s a lovely bottle, annotated with pollen, hinting at minerality, solidly structured with refined lemon, orange and apple fruit at the core. Good length, concentration and superb balance throughout make this an exceptional value in a sleek, elegant Chardonnay.