JMC Cellars
Festival of Undiscovered Grapes – Truly a Magnificent Event
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Attended Saturday, January 31st, the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes in San Jose. This was their inaugural event in Northern California, and it was a smashing success with approximately 400 attendees. The event featured the “other 7%” of grapes produced rather than the pedestrian 93% which consumers regularly purchase, i.e., Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. Instead, this event provided consumers with the opportunity to taste wines such as Teroldego, Cinsault, Marsanne, Cabernet Pfeffer, etc. It was a great experience to meet “new friends” both in person and the new liquid ones!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The event began with Lodi grape grower Stuart Spencer and David Glancey, Master Somm of the SF Wine School sharing a brief overview of Lodi’s 100+ varieties of wine grapes and the uniqueness of the region. Sips of sparkling Assyrtiko from Perloegos and Old Vine Carignane from Drava were tasting during the presentation.
It was a great time seeing so many new wineries and discussing why they choose the “undiscovered grapes” to be featured by their winery. Tasting some unique and delicious wines only help convince folks that if they want to be adventurous, this is a great opportunity to explore and taste.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Allison Levine, pictured above, created the framework for this event. The event included 130 wine grapes, 60+ wineries, and was rated the #2 Wine Festival in America based on their previously held event in Los Angeles.
It was also a wonderful time meeting up with long-time friends and meeting up with folks that I had corresponded with via email or phone but now got to meet in person.
These are just a few wineries pouring on this day and the wines they featured:
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Picture above Acorn Winery from Healdsburg is Assistant Winemaker Eric Lindae and Melissa Moholt-Sieberton, owner on the right. They were pouring Grüner Veltliner, Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Their Cabernet Franc was spicy and earthy.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
JMC Cellars, my first time tasting their wonderful wines. JMC Cellars is located in Livermore, and they were pouring the extremely tasty Teroldego and Roussanne.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Steven Kent Winery was pouring his SKW and L’Autre Côte wines. Picture above Steven and Beth Mirassou pouring the award-winning Cabernet Franc’s from various vineyards throughout Livermore Valley.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Omega Road Winery in Livermore was happily pouring three of her wines: Torrontés, Mencia and Sparkling Rosé of Counoise.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Rob Stinton of Starfield Vineyards in Placerville was pouring his elegant Tannat, Cinsault, Fiano and Sparkling Brut Rosé of Grenache.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Copia Vineyards in Paso Robles had a nice selection to taste of their White Blend, The Story (Grenache/Syrah) and Mourvèdre. Previously I had only tasted one of their wines and today was able to taste their 2022 The Cure, a savory and fruit forward wine.
These are just a few of the wines and wineries that were in attendance and pouring. To get a complete listing of the wines and wineries that attended you can find them at: https://festivalofundiscoveredgrapes.com/
Truly a remarkable event that will be held annually in San Jose.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
2022 JMC Cellars LVVC Blend
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
What is LVVC? LVVC stands for Livermore Valley Vintners Collective a group of winemakers in Livermore Valley who showcase what can be achieved solely with Livermore grapes. Each year a “framework” of grape selections and percentages are announced. Each of the participating wineries make their wines according to the strict framework (usually one varietal with a percentage) and up to several grapes with a minimum and maximum percentage. This allows each winery to have “similar expressions” of the blend yet allowing individual creativity.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This year’s requirement was to have a min/max of 35-40% Cabernet Sauvignon and balance being up to five varieties with no more than 25% of any other. The wineries participating this year for the 2022 release were: Fenestra Winery, JMC Cellars, Las Positas Vineyards, Page Mill Winery, Rosa Fierro Cellars and Wood Family Vineyards. The percentage each chose is listed in the above picture.
This year’s release event was held at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore on May 22, 2025.
The Winery
Photo from JMC Cellars website
This is the first review I have done on JMC Cellars and just met her at the LVVC event in May. The first thing you notice when talking with Jessica Carroll, winemaker and proprietor, is her exuberance talking about her wines. Her background is differently one described by Robert Frost as perhaps the road to winemaking “being the one less traveled”. She graduated from the University of Portland with a degree and worked in Civil Engineering as a Transportation Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She quickly became smitten with the wine bug and wine industry. In 2014 she began completing her Enology Certificate from Las Positas College in Livermore and began working full time at a local winery. She opened the JMC Cellars in 2023 and hasn’t looked back! The tasting room is in the eastern portion of Livermore at 6800 Greenville Road.
Photo from JMC Cellars website
In reviewing her lineup of wines, for such a small new winery producing around 1,000 cases of wine, she has catapulted quickly into making a robust list of wines. Currently her two white wines include Riesling (dry) and Sauvignon Blanc. Her red wines are extensive with Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, GSM, Malbec, Merlot, Peloursin, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel. She also has some proprietary wines and a Rosé. That is surely a record for only operating for less than two years. She also has won many awards, including Gold & Silver medals from the SF Chronicle Competition and others.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
JMC Cellars makes mostly wines using Livermore grapes but does source from other areas in California. For example her Pinot Noir comes from the Monterey area.
I have plans to meet with Jessica mid-July to do a tasting of many of her wines and surely several of those will be written about. Stay tuned.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The JMC Cellars blend is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 14% Grenache, 13% Cabernet Franc and 9% Mourvèdre. All the blends this year were a combination of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties which proved interesting to pair with food. More below on that subject.
It was discernable to pick up on the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec with distinguishable tannins and flavors especially on the palate. The Grenache and Mourvèdre were a bit hidden but did provide a counter punch to the tannins with smoothing out the finish with their lighter touch and spices.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A very enjoyable drinking wine with both boldness with Bordeaux varieties and subtle nuances from the Rhone varieties to be discovered with each sip.
The 2022 LVVC from JMC Cellars currently goes for $45/bottle. It came in at 14.4% alcohol and was aged in French new oak barrels, being one or two years old, for 24 months. Jessica mentioned she uses a variety of toast methods from medium to heavy. Production for the 2022 was 50 cases. This is a wine that can be consumed stand alone or with very selective meals.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with a seasoned, seared and BBQ’ed filet mignon and served medium rare. Accompanied by baked beans with Bourbon, brown sugar, Tobacco and ketchup.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A fresh Southwest salad with roasted chicken, roasted corn, two different cheeses and topped with corn tortilla chips.
The wine with its variety of Bordeaux grapes worked wonderfully with steak, surrounding each bite with dark fruit and strong tannins. The Grenache and Mourvèdre providing spiciness and a soft landing on the finish subduing the tannins. A very good food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly