Jewell Emerald Pinot Noir Humboldt County 2019

At its start, Jewell Wines was nothing more than a whimsical experiment in winemaker Adrian Manspeaker’s garage.  The northern California native had a keen interest in wine for many years but had yet to leap from property management to vintner when he first purchased fruit in 2006.  He thought of his first single garage barrel as simply an exciting hobby with the potential to be something more one day.  To Adrian and his partner’s surprise, each “taste tester” devoured the wine, asking how they could get their hands on a bottle.  With each passing vintage, more and more of Adrian’s time went into their now-established label, Joseph Jewell, a blend of names from Adrian and his business partner’s families.  The wines continued to achieve acclaim with its original audience of family and friends and eventually more widely in the greater wine community.  Adrian has garnered much experience while making Joseph Jewell and solidified lasting relationships with top growers throughout the Russian River Valley and his hometown in Humboldt County.  

Yet, he found himself drawn to the small-lot and single-vineyard bottlings he made at Joseph Jewell, feeling most intrigued by the promise of terroir-driven wines.  So, in 2018, Adrian took full ownership of the Joseph Jewell label and launched Jewell Wines to forge a new path with his family name.  Unlike his first brand, Jewell is the creative outlet for Adrian to hone his craft and produce outstanding wines with the utmost focus on expressing a sense of place.  Focusing so intently on small-lot means no more than three to five barrels are made of each wine within the portfolio.

On top of becoming a burgeoning winemaker, Adrian also became a pioneer for Humboldt County wines, having been born and raised in the region.  With only 150 acres planted to the grapevine, the area still has far to go before making a name for itself like that of its southern AVA neighbors in Mendocino and Alexander Valley.   Those who champion Humboldt note the majestic redwoods, marine influence, and varying elevations as unique aspects of the microclimate that make for captivating wines, particularly Pinot Noirs.  In addition, as the traditional Wine Country grows warmer and drier each year, Humboldt stands to become a more appealing region to plant grapevines.

The 2019 Emerald is a blend of the best Pinot Noir barrels from Humboldt County, hand-selected by Adrian.  Emerald is comprised of fruit from three vineyards:  Phelps, Elk Prairie, and Alderpoint.   The wine aged in French oak barrels for 18 months before selection and a final blending.  In tasting the 2019 Emerald, Adrian says, “the power of the mighty redwoods emanates from the glass with notes of juniper berry, fresh pomegranate, wild goji, satsuma citrus, wild pennyroyal, fresh cut cedar, porcini mushroom, redwood forest floor.  On the palate, you’re greeted by wild blackberries, spicy red currant, blood orange peel, refreshing menthol, mouthwatering acidity, lush tannins and a white rock minerality drawing you back for another sip.”