For fifty years and through two generations, the Lohr family and their team have been leaders in the California wine industry. Founder Jerry Lohr and his three children Steve, Cynthia, and Lawrence oversee one of the country’s most successful and trusted fine wine labels. With his first plantings in Monterey in 1972 and then in Paso Robles in 1986, the J. Lohr team helped write the book on sustainable winegrowing on the Central Coast.

Today, J. Lohr farms more than 4,000 acres of estate vineyards in Monterey’s Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations, Paso Robles, and St. Helena in the Napa Valley. commitment to sustainability. The grapes for the F&G Vineyard Pinot Blanc are grown in the sand laden cobblestone soils of the cool and windy Arroyo Seco AVA. The rugged soil keeps yields lower and produces fruit with intensity, minerality and exceptional weight.

Aged for six months sur le in a concrete egg, French oak barrel, and large casks, the 2022 F&G Vinyard Pinot Blanc reveals shades of golden yellow. The aromas of ripe pear, green apple, rose blossom and a hint of oak rise from the glass. The palate is complex and the fruit is ripe with a creamy texture. This wine carries more weight in comparison to other Pinot Blancs from California and Oregon. Flavors of Meyer lemon, honeydew, and intense acidity are pronounced throughout the palate, carrying the wine to a long finish. The 2022 J Lohr F&G Pinot Blanc is a lovely wine to enjoy now, but holding it for a few more years will allow the acidity to gain additional balance. The winemaking team at J Lohr continue to offer exceptional wines that capture the essence of the terroir and the distinct character of the varietals.

By Perry Miroballi