SVS Gravel Series Blend
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
The Round Pond 2016 SVS Gravel Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of our most elite tier of wines – the Gravel Series Secret Garden, Scholar’s Gate and The Vow. This wine is comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all coming from unique gravel streaks within our Rutherford estate vineyards and a small amount from our private Oakville Bench estate. With these designated superior vines and superlative winemaking from winemakers Thomas Rivers Brown and Jaime "JJ" Dowell, we have crafted a wine of unparalleled opulence, balance and complexity.
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.
20 Hook Mountain
Suite 103A
Pine Brook NJ 07058
201-930-2309
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Round Pond Estate | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | SVS Gravel Series Blend | 22 |
Stewart Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | NOMAD Heritage Blend | 22 |
Blackbird Vineyards | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Napa Valley Cuvee | 21 |
Pine Ridge Vineyards Napa Green Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5x5 | 20 |
Blackbird Vineyards | 2013 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 19 | |
Darioush | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 | |
Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards | 1997 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Fournier Vineyards | 3 |
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