Last year I had the good fortune to go to Jones Family Farms Winery. I'd first seen/tasted Jones at one of the Connecticut Wine Festivals over the years. But I was driving across Connecticut, coming from the Hudson Valley, to see my mother for her birthday. We were celebrating in Southport. And I thought to myself, why not kill two birds with one stone, and finally visit the Jones Winery.
It was a beautiful August morning. The portents of fall were showing themselves, as the air was dry and warm. The foliage of the trees was dark green, and there was little morning dew.
Jones Family Farms is nestled in the White Hills of Shelton, Connecticut. The winery is just a part of a much larger complex of farms and buildings. The site is a sprawling complex with its 19th century dairy barn and homestead farmhouse. There are several signs including The Homestead Farm, Jones Winery, Harvest Kitchen, and Christmas Barnyard.
The farmers of this 400-acre working farm harvest numerous seasonal crops. They have just under 200 acres of Christmas trees, 15 acres of strawberries, 15 acres of blueberries, and 25 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash. The Jones farmers harvest these crops from three different farm locations known as the Homestead Farm, the Valley Farm, and Pumpkinseed Hill. The farm also manages 50 acres of hay land and 50 acres of woodlots. And they have more than ten acres of grapes are in production for the farm's winery.
The first person you see on a Sunday when you walk in (if you're lucky) is "Farmer Tom", the ubiquitous web presence, who is real life is farm manager Tom Harbinson.
Philip Jamison Jones, sixth generation farmer at Jones Family Farms, is responsible for establishing the vineyard in 1999 at the Pumpkinseed Hill location. A graduate of Cornell University, with a degree in plant study, Jamie has combined his rich farming heritage and expertise in plant science to create this strong, thriving Connecticut vineyard. In addition to traditional grape wines, Jamie creates distinctive fruit wines that showcase the wonderful tastes and aromas of delicious, sun-ripened berries. Jamie manages the care of 30 acres of blueberries and strawberries at the farm, making wonderful fruit dessert wines, including Connecticut-grown apples, pears and black currants.
In 2008 Jamie welcomed to the winemaking team well-known winemaker Larry McCulloch. Larry, formerly of Chamard Vineyards, is a graduate of The Ohio State University horticulture program. His background includes working at Benmarl Vineyards in New York before helping to build Chamard Vineyards. Larry brings 25 years of experience, both in the vineyard and in winemaking. The highly talented collaboration of Jamie Jones and Larry McCulloch is a definite recipe for advancing Jones Winery to the next level.
Jones Winery Pinot Gris Vintner's Select 2016 was incredible. According to Jones notes, "Our climate is similar to northern France so our Alsatian-style Pinot Gris is richer and fuller than a typical Italian Pinot Grigio." This is an estate wine. The wine is cold fermented in stainless steel for 7-9 months and is made from 100% Jones Family Farms vineyards fruit: 90% Pinot Gris, 10% Muscat Ottonel. Wonderful nose of melons and tropical fruit lead to beautiful smoothness and a dry, crisp zippy finish. Layers and layers of fruit and magic. Lovely blanace between fruit and acidity. Crisp. Refreshing. A very, very lovely Pinot Grois. Head turning! The 2017 has since been released.
Jones Winery Muscat Ottonel is made from 100% Jones Family Farms Muscat Ottonel grapes. This lovely dry wine was cold fermented in stainless steel for 7-9 months. The wine has delicate, floral aromas. Notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom, tropical fruits and honey and dried apricot are also head-spinningly present. Stunning!
Jones Farms Whimsical White is dry, aromatic, sparkling white wine. This wine is a blend of 50% the offspring of Riesling & Cayuga White grapes (a yet-unnamed hybrid developed by Cornell University) grown 100% in Jones Family Farms vineyards. It is blended with 50% Vidal Blanc. The wine is cold-fermented in stainless steel for 7-9 months and is carbonated and bottled using the "Charmant" method.
Right from the first whiff, you know that Jones Farms Whimsical White is in fact a winner! White peach, tropical fruits, and honey are all strong on the nose and across the palate. Light and delicate. With just a hint of pink citrus pop at the end which gives it integrity. This is an absolutely wonderful sparkling wine. Bought several bottles of this.
Jones Farms have been producing for 400 years. But the wine, which is a relatively new addition (15-20 years?) is astounding success. I though these three whites could compete anywhere on the east coast...anywhere in the US. I was dazzled. Jones Farms Winery is another great quality producer as Connecticut has. Fabulous wines. Go and find out yourself!