The Wines
As a winemaker, I walk the vineyards daily tasting the grapes looking for the perfect brix level, balanced acidity, and the color of the seed. These essential elements tell the story as to when we should harvest, a critical milestone since picking at the optimal ripeness is really the key to quality wines. My winemaking philosophy is pretty simple – great wines are made from the vineyard. If you pour your heart, time, and attention into it, you’re going to taste the difference.
Biography
I did not fall into winemaking by chance. I was raised on my family’s farm, the historic Roseland Plantation in Eufaula, Alabama, where we farmed peanuts, hay and cotton. My dad, who later went to work in the California wine industry, was always my biggest inspiration. During the summer, he would put me to work pruning and picking the vineyards, racking and blending in the cellars, and running equipment on the bottling lines. But it wasn’t until I was given the opportunity to shadow the winemakers that I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Over the last 25 years, I have traveled the world and worked on some pretty spectacular projects. Today, I am proud and excited to embark on a project that is all my own. Made by James is a wine collection that is truly reflective of my personal winemaking style and an expression of my journey to get here.