08 Jan J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
1000 Lenzen Ave. San Jose, CA 95126
jlohr.com
Region: Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valley
Owners: Jerry Lohr, Steve Lohr, Cynthia Lohr, Lawrence Lohr
Winemaker: Steve Peck, Kristen Barnhisel, Brenden Wood
About: Founded in 1974, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is a family-owned winery rooted in California’s Central Coast. Known for sustainably grown vineyards in Monterey and Paso Robles, we craft expressive wines that showcase place, innovation, and five decades of winemaking passion. We have two tasting rooms in San Jose and Paso Robles.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Cabernet is still king—always. But when we want to have a little fun, we love working with Valdiguié. It’s bright, fresh, and wildly versatile, with juicy red fruit and energy that surprises people who’ve never tried it. It’s the kind of grape that turns a “cab drinker” into an explorer after one glass.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? The first time we really fell for a lesser-known grape was Valdiguié. What surprised us most was how instantly lovable it was—bright, juicy, and refreshing, yet still serious enough to hold its own at the table. It challenged the idea that great wine has to be heavy or familiar, and showed us how much joy there is in rediscovering grapes with character and history.
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? What we love most about undiscovered grapes is the sense of surprise they bring. They invite curiosity, spark conversation, and remind people that wine doesn’t have to be intimidating to be great. These grapes reward open-minded drinkers with fresh flavors, food-friendly balance, and the fun of finding a new favorite they didn’t even know they were looking for.
