Founder's Reserve
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 8–15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, aged cheddar
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a highly regarded family-owned winery headquartered on a lush, wooded hillside known as Bramble Bump in Woodinville, Washington. The winery is dedicated to crafting limited-production, hand-crafted wines, sourcing premium fruit from top-tier Washington state vineyards—such as Champoux and Stillwater Creek—alongside their own estate, Margaret's Vineyard, located in the Walla Walla Valley. Under sustainable and Salmon-Safe certified practices, JM Cellars produces a diverse and acclaimed portfolio that showcases expressive Bordeaux and Rh$ne-style blends, structured Cabernet Sauvignon, and unique varietals like Carmenere and Cabernet Franc.