TRB III
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
TRB III is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a multi-vintner collaboration showcasing the best from each winery's nested appellation. Blended together by world-renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, this incredibly seductive 100 percent Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is exceptional; powerful, concentrated, and dense with elegant tannin structure and finesse.
Winemaker, Round Pond Estate
Jaime Dowell, aka "JJ", was bitten by the winemaking bug at UC Davis in 1998, where she earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology. She hit the ground running in 2002 as an intern for Artesa, Cardinale, Atalon, and Lokoya in Napa Valley. Shortly thereafter, JJ was called back to run her family's gallery business, where she spent six years successfully growing Studio 7 Fine Arts, the East Bay's largest art gallery in Pleasanton, California. In 2008, she was unable to resist the lure of her true passion for the craft of winemaking, and left the gallery life behind to become the Winemaker for 2 small brands in the Livermore Valley: Crooked Vine & Stony Ridge Winery. Whilst there, JJ helped to oversee a 300-acre vineyard and undertook all winery operations herself until 2011.
JJ then "harvest hopped" to New Zealand and joined Villa Maria Estate in Blenheim making high-end, small-lot Pinot Noir for a southern hemisphere vintage.
JJ then returned to California just in time for the 2011 northern hemisphere harvest as the Assistant Winemaker to Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon Vineyards in Santa Cruz. Her time there was short but rich; learning about Rhone varietals, biodynamics, and the art of Rose. In 2012 the wine gods led JJ to Alpha Omega Winery in Rutherford where she became fast friends with Winemaker Jean Hoefliger. She worked as his Associate Winemaker until the summer of 2017. Jean's 5-year mentorship shaped JJ to take the helm of winemaking at Round Pond Estate - her ultimate dream job as the Winemaker of an estate with (as she puts it) "heart, soul, and spunk!"
When asked about her new place at Round Pond, JJ said, "As I look ahead at Round Pond's already bright future, I can't wait to work on a team of incredibly talented and passionate people. Together we'll continue the journey to elevate our wines with each opportunity; pouring in wisdom, knowledge, and well-honed skills to each bottle...trying new things, repeating successful ideas, staying ahead of the curve, and blending with a fine-toothed comb."
Country born: USA
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Show off a sense of place in the bottle so you taste the terroir of the vineyard.
Winemaker, Round Pond Estate
Originally from Jackson, Wyoming, Andy Jones moved to the Bay Area to go to culinary school after working in the restaurant business since the early age of 14. His career in the Napa Valley began when he helped open the Solage Resort in Calistoga (as the assistant food and beverage manager) and managed what he calls his “first real wine list.” It was at Solage where Andy met Thomas Brown and the rest, as they say, is history. In 2008 Andy went to work with Thomas at the Black Sears facility on Howell Mountain as a harvest intern, which eventually led to being promoted to assistant winemaker three years later. It was all part of a natural progression for Andy - going from managing a wine list to, instead, helping craft the wines on those lists. He has never looked back, and in 2013, Andy went to Tamber Bey as assistant winemaker to Thomas and manager of winemaking operations. A winemaker now in his own right, Andy describes his winemaking style as not following any formula but, instead, simply trying to pull the very best from each site, vintage by vintage. Andy shepherds our grapes from the vineyard to bottle and is instrumental in coaxing the highest quality out of every barrel of our fruit.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaker, Round Pond Estate
Consulting winemaker and grape-grower Jeff Gaffner brings more than 30 years of experience to his role at Hestan Vineyards. Jeff began his career in 1981 at Chateau St. Jean under the tutelage of legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood. At Chateau St. Jean, Jeff was part of the winemaking team responsible for the winery's celebrated 1996 Cinq Cepages, a classic blend of all five classic red varietals. Over the years, Jeff has developed a reputation as a specialist both in the vineyard and cellar, receiving critical acclaim for his site-expressive winemaking and signature elegant style.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Hestan Vineyards, Round Pond Estate and Vermeil Wines is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Hestan Vineyards, Round Pond Estate and Vermeil Wines Contact: Scott Reed
2024 © Napa Valley Vintners All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement