Founder's Reserve
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 8–15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, aged cheddar
✨ Technical Specifications
The Founder's Reserve from JM Cellars represents the pinnacle of John and Peggy Bigelow's winemaking journey in Washington State. Crafted as a limited-production, barrel-selection red blend, this cuvée showcases the very best of the Walla Walla Valley's distinct terroir. Sourced primarily from prestigious sites including their sustainably farmed estate, Margaret's Vineyard—named in honor of Peggy's mother—the wine benefits from the region's unique wind-blown loess soils over ancient basalt. The dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of the valley preserve natural acidity while allowing the grapes to achieve rich, phenolic ripeness. In the cellar, the wine undergoes meticulous small-lot fermentation and extended aging in French oak barrels, resulting in a structured, complex, and deeply expressive blend that honors the founders' vision of world-class Washington winemaking.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is an acclaimed family-owned winery nestled amidst the wooded tranquility of Bramble Bump in Woodinville, Washington, alongside their estate plantings at Margaret's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Committed to sustainable, small-lot craftsmanship, the winery sources premium fruit across renowned Pacific Northwest AVAs to produce wines with balanced structure and authentic varietal character. JM Cellars is celebrated for its diverse and expressive portfolio, ranging from signature Bordeaux-style blends and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings to vibrant Rhône varietals and small-production whites.