Wine tasting in the Silicon Valley: J Lohr Vineyards and Winery

Wine tasting right in the heart of the Silicon Valley, yes! When most people think of the Silicon Valley they think high tech.  Well, you should also think wine. Sure, it is nice to take a wine trip to Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills or Paso Robles however, sometimes time just does not permit. The good news is that the San José area offers a number of excellent wine tasting possibilities. Spaswinefood recently stopped by  J. Lohr Vineyards and Winery tasting room at 1000 Lenzen Avenue, San José. If you live in the San José area and have not visited J. Lohr Vineyards and Winery put it on your list.

While J. Lohr wines need little introduction, here is a brief history. In the 1960's Jerry Lohr planted his first vineyard in Monterey County. Then in 1974 J. Lohr opened a winery in San José. The Paso Robles J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines vineyards and winery, at its 6169 Airport Road location, was established in 1988. Today J. Lohr's vineyards include 900 acres in Monterey County, 2000 in Paso Robles and 33 acres in Napa Valley. The family owned winery has a strong commitment to its employees and the environment.  J. Lohr Vineyards and Winery practices the three E's of Sustainability (environment, equity and economics), as part of the Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP).

J. Lohr San José

J. Lohr Tasting Room, San José © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr offers four wine series, which includes J. Lohr Estates, J. Lohr Vineyard series, J. Lohr Cuvée and the most recent addition, the Gesture. The Gesture is a limited edition wine only available to tasting room visitors and wine club members. While at the San José tasting room we tasted some great award winning wines. Since I have already posted on an earlier visit to J. Lohr Paso Robles this article will share a few of the wines I tasted at the San José tasting room. The white wines I tasted included J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011, J. Lohr Highlands Bench, Santa Lucia Chardonnay 2010 and J. Lohr Arroyo Vista, Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2010.

J. Lohr Carols Vineyard, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011 © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr Highlands Bench, Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2010 © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr Arroyo Vista, Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2010 © Spaswinefood

I tasted one Rosé wine. It was a J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles Grenache Rosé 2011.

 J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles Grenaché Rosé 2011 © Spaswinefood

The reds were J. Lohr Seven Oaks, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, J. Lohr Hilltop, Paso Roble  Cabernet Sauvignon 2010  and J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles Mourverde 2010.

J. Lohr Seven Oaks, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr Hilltop, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 © Spaswinefood

J. Lohr Gesture, Paso Robles Mourverde 2010 © Spaswinefood

It is without doubt that J. Lohr produces some awesome wines. I have friends who have raved about J. Lohr's wines for years. There are certainly lots of J. Lohr #winelovers. It also is no surprise that J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines was named 2010 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. You can check reviews of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines posted at J Lohr's homepage, Snooth, Tripadvisor and Yelp. 

J. Lohr Tasting Room, San José © Spaswinefood

Do not forget to check out events happening at J. Lohr. I am so glad I finally got around to visiting J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines tasting room in San José. You can also check out my wine travels in the Silicon Valley, California and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or visit  my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

San José, California

© Spaswinefood

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