J Vineyards Cuvee Brut Sparkling Wine
J Vineyards Cuvee Brut Sparkling Wine is a 12.5% ABV, 750mL non-vintage sparkling wine from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, made by the traditional method from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Whole clusters are gently pressed in a French Coquard press, each vineyard lot is kept separate until blending, and extended lees ageing builds its toasted, creamy complexity. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 12.5%
- Size: 750mL
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
- Origin: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
- Method: Traditional method (second fermentation in bottle); whole-cluster Coquard press
- Ageing: Extended lees ageing
- Producer: J Vineyards & Winery (founded 1986, Healdsburg)
Russian River Valley, Bottled the Traditional Way
J Vineyards was founded in 1986 in Healdsburg with a traditional-method focus, and this cuvée — first introduced to mark the winery's 20th anniversary — is its signature Russian River Valley bottling. Cool-climate fruit is hand-harvested into small bins, pressed as whole clusters, fermented lot by lot, then assembled, cold-stabilised and bottled for its second fermentation. Find more Sonoma sparkling on our sparkling wine and Champagne shelf, browse the wider wine range, or visit the J Vineyards & Winery vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Toasted almond, opening to Braeburn apple, dried cranberry and ginger snap. Palate: A delicate dance of bubbles over lemon meringue pie softness. Finish: Creaminess carried off by a lively, clean finish.
How to Enjoy
Serve it as an aperitif, or follow the winery's pairings: Dungeness crab cake or a lobster roll, freshly popped white-cheddar popcorn, or goat cheese rolled in herbes de Provence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is J Cuvee Brut a Champagne? No — it is a California sparkling wine from the Russian River Valley, made by the same traditional, bottle-fermented method as Champagne and from the same three grape varieties.
What is the difference between Cuvee 20 and California Cuvee? The Russian River Valley cuvée is the higher tier (cork finish, toasted-almond and apple profile); California Cuvée is the broader California-appellation wine at a lower tier, with a more tropical, orange-blossom profile.
How long is it aged? It is bottle-fermented and aged on the lees for an extended period before disgorgement, which is where the brioche and toasted-almond complexity over the fruit comes from.
Russian River Valley fruit with Champagne-method depth — order J Vineyards Cuvee Brut online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.