The name of one of the first and most influential winegrowing pioneers on California’s Central Coast is Jerry Lohr, founder of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. J. Lohr’s estate vineyards are found in three of California’s most esteemed winegrowing regions: Monterey County, Paso Robles, and the Napa Valley.

From this palette of worldclass grapes, J. Lohr has created an acclaimed portfolio of wines recognized for their vibrant fruit and rich character. To share his passion for vineyard-driven wines with exceptional flavors, the winery has established wine centers in both San Jose and Paso Robles—two opportune destinations for lovers of great California wine.

Founded in 1975, the J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center is adjacent to the San Jose winery, where white wines are produced and all J. Lohr wines are bottled. This is the only major winery within San Jose’s city limits. The wine center’s airy tasting room is both intimate and elegant, combining a granite tasting bar and limestone floors with exposed wood crossbeams. A destination for visitors and locals alike, it has become a nexus for wine enthusiasts in the greater Bay Area.

The wine center is also home to the J. Lohr Vineyard Room, a private event space with a full catering kitchen for special gatherings, meetings, private tastings, and wine-paired dinners. The wine center also hosts fun and informative wine education symposiums and food pairing seminars. For J. Lohr Wine Club members, the center offers a year-round calendar of club-exclusive events, including New Release Nights.

Down on the coast, the J. Lohr Paso Robles Winery was built among J. Lohr’s home ranch vineyards in 1988, and is dedicated to the production of red wines. In addition to the winery, the J. Lohr Paso Robles Wine Center houses a second tasting room and event facilities. Conveniently located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the wine center is an important part of the thriving Paso Robles winemaking community, hosting events, meetings, seminars, and conferences that engage the community at large.

In keeping with J. Lohr’s commitment to the environment, the Paso Robles facility is also home to a state-of-the-art, three-acre solar tracking system—the largest of any winery in North America—that provides up to 85 percent of the annual power used at the J. Lohr Paso Robles Wine Center and Winery.

At the heart of the J. Lohr experience is the winery’s rich and flavorful wines. Reflecting the diversity of its estate vineyards, J. Lohr offers four tiers of award-winning wines: the
J. Lohr Cuvée Series, wines inspired by the classic Bordeaux blends, but crafted to embody the power and complexity of great Paso Robles winegrowing; the J. Lohr Vineyard Series, limited production wines highlighting the terroir of the most esteemed vineyard parcels; J. Lohr Estates, appealing, high-quality wines crafted using estate fruit; and, recently released as a token of thanks to J. Lohr’s many devoted club members, J. Lohr Gesture, a series of Rhône-inspired wines and select varietals available exclusively in the wine centers and online.

In addition to its signature brands, J. Lohr also produces vibrant Central Coast wines under the Cypress Vineyards label. According to Winemaker Jeff Meier: “At J. Lohr, we focus on flavor from vineyard to bottle.” J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines offers two exciting wine clubs: the J. Lohr Wine Club and the Vineyards Select Wine Club. There is no cost to join either club, and membership includes invitations to special events and substantial discounts on wines.

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