Our story begins with two winemakers: one from the Old World and one from the New World. Ernst Loosen, the famed Riesling producer behind Germany’s Dr. Loosen and Villa Wolf wineries, has a lifelong passion for Pinot Noir. With many friends and a wine import business in Oregon, Erni recognized early on that there was something very special going on here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and he wanted to be a part of it. Oregon winemaker Jay Somers was making a small-production Willamette Valley Pinot called J. Christopher when Erni met him. Erni was immediately impressed; here, he thought, was a New World wine made in the Old-World style, with great structure and expression of terroir. The two soon began collaborating on a high-end Pinot that they named Appassionata. A few vintages later, Erni cemented his investment in Oregon by purchasing 40 acres on Chehalem Mountain in Newberg, planting the Appassionata Vineyard, and building the winery where we continue to produce Appassionata and J. Christopher wines today. Over the last decade, J. Christopher has earned international acclaim and has been named a Wine & Spirits World Top 100 Winery. Our Pinot Noirs, Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, Rosés, and our new GG Riesling continue to showcase the Old-World style that first attracted Erni to J. Christopher – a style the Erni has always maintained in his German wines. It’s a patient, unhurried approach to winemaking that gives each wine the opportunity to fully express where it comes from, whether it’s the Old World or the New. We hope you’ll come visit the J. Christopher tasting room and garden patio to enjoy a glass or two.