Jackson Family Wines Goes to Washington

Sonoma County–based Jackson Family Wines doesn’t do anything on a whim. The company didn’t rush into Willamette Valley when Oregon Pinot Noirs became the rage; instead it researched and moved strategically before buying a vineyard and starting a brand there. More recently, JFW has turned to Washington state in its search for new, distinctive sources of Cabernet Sauvignon.

“Given our success in Oregon, as far as the quality of the wines and the quality of the vineyards that we have up there, Washington was the next step,” says JFW’s Napa Cabernet pro, winemaker Chris Carpenter, adding that climate change spurred their interest in diversifying where they grow Cabernet.

JFW has now purchased a Walla Walla vineyard and started a new label: Jett. The brand will release six 2022 red wines this fall, and the wines are indeed impressive, says senior editor Tim Fish, who tried them all in his blind tastings. They share similarities to the mountain Cabernets and blends of JFW’s Napa wineries, such as Cardinale, Lokoya and La Jota. Learn more about the project and get our reviews of the new wines!

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