Small-Lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay From The Russian River Valley & Humboldt County by Winemaker Adrian Manspeaker
Forestville, CA, September 14, 2022 – Using exceptional fruit typically reserved for big-name, old-guard producers, Jewell is owner and winemaker Adrian Manspeaker’s quest to discover his true potential. Jewell will feature limited production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from exclusive, sought-after vineyards in the Russian River Valley and unexplored corners of Humboldt County. Working hand-in-hand with highly regarded farmers who unearth the potential in each grape, Adrian crafts the wines three to five barrels at a time. The resulting small-lot gems will be available each Spring and Fall on an allocation, first-come, first-served basis to those who sign up for the Jewell waitlist. The first allocation was released September 6th.
Jewell evolved from the coveted Gem Series previously offered by Manspeaker’s 16-year old brand, Joseph Jewell Wines. An old family name, and Adrian’s middle name, Jewell ties back to stories of intrepid pioneers who forged a trail from their homes to eventually settle in Humboldt County, California; stories Adrian’s grandparents would tell him as a kid. Inspired by these daring ancestors, each Jewell wine reflects a facet of family history.
The wines will include:
Emerald Pinot Noir Humboldt County
- Hand-selected each vintage, Emerald is a cuvée of the best Northern California’s Humboldt County Pinot Noir barrels.
- A prominent banker in Arcadia, Kansas, when the civil war broke out, Charles Jewell joined the Union army as a lieutenant colonel, fighting for the north. Since 2008, Adrian has been amongst the winemakers leading the charge to put high quality Pinot Noir from Humboldt County, part of the Emerald Triangle, on the map.
- Hand-selected each vintage, Rubies is a cuvée of the best Russian River Valley Pinot Noir barrels.
- Growing up, Adrian’s father wore a special ruby ring won in a steam boat race circa 1850 by his great great great grandfathers, Charles & Thomas Jewell. Competitive steam boat racers, they once burned their valuable Chippendale furniture to send them over the finish line to win.
- This wine is crafted from rare “own rooted” Martini Clone Pinot Noir grapes planted in 1971; the third oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Russian River Valley.
- Mother Jewell, “The Old Girl,” having lived to the age of 94, was the family matriarch at the turn of the 20th century. When her husband Charles was away at war, she once hid his race winnings in a butter churn to keep them from being stolen by men who ransacked her home.
- Once a moonshine operation in the hills of the Russian River Valley, this vineyard was planted with clonal selections of Pinot Noir in 2009 by Charlie Chenoweth.
- You could say making librations has been in the Jewell family for centuries. During the prohibition, entrepreneurial Pappy Jewell was a bootlegger in Topeka, Kansas known for crafting the highest quality spirit in town.
- Boasting legendary status, Kent Ritchie has been farming some of the state’s most regarded Chardonnay for the better part of half a century. A vineyard Adrian has been in awe of for almost two decades, it’s a dream to work with this fruit to create ageworthy excellence.
- In 1905, the Jewell family began their initial adventure west from Kansas to Catalina Island for a family vacation. Enchanted by the moderate climate, they fell in love with the west coast.
