Champions in Cinci!

We sure had a busy week last week, but it was all worth it as we met new Jocelyn Lonen fans and accounts! We participated in the 20th Annual Cincinnati International Wine Festival, which took place March 11th-13th at the Duke Energy Center. We poured just three wines at the event: our 2008 Lonen California Chardonnay, our 2008 Lonen Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and our Premium 2006 Jocelyn Lonen Cabernet Sauvignon. We submitted both Lonen wines into the competition, which resulted in 2 bronze medals for Jocelyn Lonen! Both the Lonen Chardonnay and the Lonen Cabernet Sauvignon were recognized amongst 100s of wines! Our booth, proudly decorated with the medals and ribbons, was quite the attraction at the festival. We were so incredibly honored and happy to meet so many Ohio and Kentucky fans who have followed our wines throughout the years! "Oh...Jocelyn...you have to try their wines!" was a recurrent comment from many returning attendees and regular consumers.

The 2008 California Chardonnay was the talk of the event since the value pretty much knocks everyone's socks off! It retails for a whopping $12.99 yet has the characteristics of a $20+ Chardonnay. Rather than oak chips or stainless steel treatment the Chardonnay is all oaked, which is nearly impossible to find in that price point. Most of the comments were, "WOW! That is ridiculously good! How much?! No way!" The Chardonnay has 25% Viognier, which adds a lovely floral note to it. The Chardonnay and Viognier are so well integrated that it adds an exotic flavor to the wine. As you finish drinking it the finish has a wonderful surprise of acidity, which most Chardonnay drinkers seek nowadays. Once again, Alison Doran, used her exquisite balance and chemistry to marry the two varietals together! Our tasters were happy and so were we!

The 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon retails for a whopping $21.99!! Again, this wine is all about the value. You get a $35+ wine at a fraction of the price. How do you ask? Well, the secret lies in the magic of Brandi Pack, who has a knack for creating premium wines at "stupid" prices as I heard over and over and over again. The Cabernet was blended with 25% Syrah, which again, adds quite a unique characteristic to the wine. As soon as your nose touches the brim of the glass you pick up aromas of black cherry, strawberry and a bit of spice. Everyone enjoyed the nose so much it took minutes before they even sipped the glass. Again, everyone was floored at the quality of the wine. I suppose most consumers don't expect much from a $20 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Again, Brandi and Alison created a match-made in heaven between the Syrah and Cabernet, that everyone can afford. As I overheard many people say, "Why would I pay $50 for a Cab when I can drink this and be just as happy?!" We agree! This is why the Cabernet also placed bronze out of 100s of wines.

Lastly, we poured our flagship 2006 Jocelyn Lonen Cabernet Sauvignon, which retails between $36-$38. There was no need to submit this wine into the competition as it is what placed Jocelyn Wines on the map. This wine is again a pure testament of the value in each Jocelyn wine. It tastes twice its price, and I couldn't even count how many people came back for seconds and thirds of this wine. A handful of people boasted that it was by far the best Cabernet at the event! We will take that compliment because we truly pride ourselves in producing the highest quality wines possible at affordable prices. This Cab is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec, which mainly come from the prestigious Stagecoach Vineyards. Every time I taste this wine it has evolved a bit more into the "Big Cab" category. It is a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is filled with bright fruits and jams yet not too sweet. As the wine swims across the tongue there are these baby tannins that equally reach each corner of the mouth. It is smooth, balanced and as we say at Jocelyn, "It has that major YUM factor"! Again, this wine attracted many to our booth, and I was reaffirmed as to why we have such a cult following.

All in all, the event was a complete success. Many new accounts tasted and were impressed to the point that they are bringing the wines into their store. Other winos made sure to take my card for their next visit to Napa. What really stuck out to me was the pleasure that we bring to each person who tastes our wines. Above that, it is quite a fulfilling feeling to know that the wines are affordable and that we have created a win-win for everyone!

Thank you to all who stopped by our table, to all of the accounts that support our wines out there and most of all to Tramonte and Sons, our distributor, who has supported our wines in the area and introduced them to so many! It is a complete honor to receive such recognition, and we look forward to being a part of the Festival again next year!

Cheers,
Angela Herrera Lockhart
National Sales Manager

Clambake for a Cure!

Jocelyn Lonen Winery just hosted the first annual Golf & Grapes Foundation’s Clambake for a Cure event! The event was held at a private estate in the Carmel Highlands on February 11th, 2010. The event followed the first round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, formerly and affectionately known as the “Crosby Clambake”. All in all, it was a successful event!

The Clambake for a Cure event opened with beautiful sunny skies and stunning ocean views, which placed guests in a generous mood to raise money for brain tumor research. As some know, Susan Curtis inspired the idea of the Golf & Grapes Foundation in memory of her late husband, and Jocelyn Lonen Winery founder, Lonen Curtis III, who passed away from brain cancer in 2004. Thus, it was only fitting that the Clambake guests sip Jocelyn Lonen Winery’s mouth-watering new releases-2007 Founder’s Chardonnay and 2006 Founder’s Blend, which honor founder, Lonen Curtis III, all while perusing auction items.

The charity event also featured ten other wineries, predominantly from the Atlas Peak Appellation, where Jocelyn Lonen also grows its red varietals. There were seven celebrity chefs present competing to produce their best clam dishes for guests to enjoy! Three area restaurant critics attended to judge the dishes, determining who won the Critics’ Choice Award. Guests also voted to determine the People’s Choice Award. The winner of both awards was the great Todd Fisher, who owns The Kitchen in Monterrey! His “Broadway garlic, clam pizza” was quite the hit and even featured on View from the Bay on February 15, 2010. The picture above is of Todd Fisher with Susan Curtis on View from the Bay!

In addition to clam dishes, the chefs produced a variety of delicious appetizers for everyone to indulge in. Guests were frequently overheard stating they had never before been to a charity event which had such excellent wines and delicious food!

Guests participated in the Silent and Live Auction lots which included rare wines, art, and wonderful resort/golf/spa/dinner getaways in order to raise money for the continued battle against brain tumors. Also on site were PGA Tour Pros and celebrities attending the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am such as Brett Quigley, Jonathon Byrd, Bobby Clampett and Cindy Rarick! The event was absolutely fabulous, which is why Executive Director of Golf and Grapes, Sam Peters, is already planning next year’s Clambake for a Cure. For more information please visit http://www.golfandgrapes.org

Thank you to all who participated, donated and supported this first-time event. It would never be possible without such a supportive community!

Where it all began...

Lonen Curtis's passion for wine is the heart of Jocelyn Lonen Winery. In 1996 Lonen Curtis embarked on a journey to pursue winemaking when he planted a vineyard in his own backyard in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. His high-powered executive experience gave him the drive and focus needed to launch a premium boutique winery. The following year Lonen and his wife, Susan, as well as his daughter, Brandi and her family, moved to Napa Valley to pursue his dream. Lonen worked tirelessly to lay a strong foundation for Jocelyn Lonen and by the 2002 vintage the Lonen Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon received 90pts from Wine Spectator! It was a dream come true for the couple who always spoke of retiring to "Golf and Grapes"...

Brandi partnered with her father, launching the brand in as many markets as possible and creating a family image of the winery. They co-managed the winery and when Lonen passed away in 2004 from brain cancer, it was Brandi who led the team forward with their vision. Since that time it has been Brandi's vision, passion and management that has created what Jocelyn Lonen is today.

She dedicates herself to maintaining the winery's reputation of creating premium wines at affordable prices while furthering her father's dream. Many customers comment on the quality of Jocelyn Lonen wines and how they trump many wines at twice the price! Jocelyn Lonen believes that everyone should have access to ultra-premium wines regardless of budget, especially in today's economy.

In 2009, Brandi re-launched the Lonen label, which produces a $20 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and $10 California Chardonnay. She wanted to create something that would blow anyone away at the price point for years to come. She strives to leave the consumer floored at the value they get in each bottle. The line has been so successful that the production will be doubled this year!

Although Susan Curtis is not directly involved with the winery she continues to be Jocelyn Lonen's biggest fan sharing wine with others everywhere she goes as well as her and Lonen's story. Due to her passion and support, the winery sponsors various charity events through non-profit organizations like Golf and Grapes, to accelerate the finding for a cure for brain cancer.

To find out more information about tasting Jocelyn Lonen wines the next time you are in Napa Valley please go to www.jocelynwines.com

It's a new decade!

Welcome to the Jocelyn Lonen Winery blog! Entering a new decade really gave us the little kick in the butt that we needed to re-vamp our website, create a blog and increase our communication through social media! We hope to share stories about the winery, upcoming events, photos and more here! We would love to hear your feedback and if there is anything in particular you think we should be blogging about please let us know. We only hope to add more interaction, transparency and insight for our customers.

Cheers to a fresh start in 2010!

-JL