J. Christopher by Ernst Loosen

J. Christopher by Ernst Loosen – Bridging the Old and New Worlds

The J. Christopher winery in Oregon is the result of an extraordinary transatlantic partnership and embodies the vision of the renowned German winemaker Ernst ‘Erni’ Loosen to combine the elegance and structure of the Old World with the terroir of the Willamette Valley. Loosen, internationally renowned for his Rieslings from the Dr. Loosen winery on the Moselle, has always harboured a deep passion for Pinot Noir and recognised as early as the 1990s that something very special was developing in Oregon’s Willamette Valley . He became an avid collector of Oregon Pinot Noir, travelled frequently to the state and founded his US import company there in 2003 .

The J. Christopher winery itself was founded in 1996 by Jay Christopher Somers, who, following his first encounter with a Burgundian Pinot Noir, decided to run a business in the New World that was entirely dedicated to the Old World style . In 2010, the collaboration between Somers and Loosen began, which eventually led to joint wine production . A few vintages later, Loosen cemented his commitment to Oregon by acquiring 40 acres on Chehalem Mountain in Newberg, planting the Appassionata Vineyard and building the winery where the wines of J. Christopher and Appassionata are still produced today .

Winemaking consistently follows the Burgundian model: the grapes come from some of Oregon’s finest vineyards, and the wines are produced by hand in small batches . The philosophy emphasises a patient, unhurried approach that allows each wine to fully express its origins – be it the Old or the New World . The wines have gained international recognition and have been named a Wine & Spirits World Top 100 Winery on several occasions . For wine lovers, J. Christopher offers a rare opportunity to experience wines that bear the hallmark of one of the most significant winemakers of our time and impressively demonstrate the potential of Oregon’s cool-climate vineyards.