A family owned boutique winery founded in 2007, located in the beautiful Columbia Gorge, Jacob Williams is named in honor of owner Brad Gearhart’s two sons, Jacob and William. For over a decade, Brad has worked with winemaking veteran John Haw and sources fruit from the Columbia Valley and Columbia Gorge AVAs.
John Haw spent many years crafting Pinot Noir in nearby Willamette Valley, Oregon and applies his golden touch to the winery’s Washington version.
Visitors can taste these artisan wines in the beautiful tasting room in Wishram, Wash. next to Avery Park, where outstanding views of the Columbia River and Mt. Hood abound from the wraparound patio.
Jacob Williams Winery 2013 Barbera, $35
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.5%
Cases Produced: 175
This debut varietal for the winery is vibrant and well built, full of spicy cherry and blackcurrant, tobacco earth and spice with gorgeous floral underpinnings of rose petal and lavender. The fruit was sourced from Garth Davis Vineyard located a couple miles west of the winery.
Jacob Williams Winery 2014 Chardonnay, $26
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.7%
Cases Produced: 300
This Chardonnay was cold fermented in stainless steel, with zero oak influence. A blend of fruit from Celilo Vineyard, Wash. and McDuffee Vineyard in The Dallas, Oregon, this non-oaked version is superbly creamy and refreshing. Structured acidity adds depth to the rich core of lemon chiffon backed by fresh pear, apple and apricot flavors with nutty notes that pick up on the finish.
Jacob Williams Winery 2013 Pinot Noir, $30
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.7%
Cases Produced: 330
Sourced from Underwood Mountain Vineyard at 1,600 ft. elevation, this earthy Pinot Noir is assertive and highly focused, with a mix of leather and dark cherry notes, streaked with ripe raspberry and perfectly balanced acidity. Earthen notes of anise, spice and light toast carry though with a firm grip on the long appealing finish.
Jacob Williams Winery 2012 Merlot, $28
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.7%
Cases Produced: 300
Sourced from Hi Valley Vineyard in The Dallas, Oregon, Merlot is one of Jacob Williams’s signature wines. A stellar version, with towering structure and a mineral-driven spine of dark cherry and currant flavors, inlaid with cocoa, black licorice and river rock. Firm tannins persist on the lengthy finish.
Jacob Williams Winery 2013 Zinfandel, $30
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Alcohol: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 225
Sourced from Gunkel Vineyard in Wishram, Wash. this Zinfandel is sleek and zesty, with floral aromas of herbs de Provence joined on the palate by juicy dark berry flavors, layered with cracked peppercorn, mint, sage, vanilla and lavender. This medium-bodied version is brimming with complexity and intriguing nuances.
Jacob Williams Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $40
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.6%
Cases Produced: 350
Sourced from Eagle Ranch Vineyard in Echo, Oregon and aged 24 months in French and American oak, this is a smooth, sumptuous, fruit-forward version gushing with dark cherry and red currant flavors framed with firm, chalky tannins and complex layers of cedar box, mesquite, cocoa, oregano and spice. Well structured, with a long solid finish. Drinks well now, this will only continue to improve with cellar aging.