Quintessence Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2023
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Oysters on the half shell, goat cheese crostini, grilled halibut
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the prestigious, sun-drenched slopes of the Red Mountain AVA, the JM Cellars Sauvignon Blanc from Quintessence Vineyard represents a brilliant expression of Washington State white winemaking. While Red Mountain is globally renowned for its powerful, structured red wines, this Sauvignon Blanc thrives in the AVA's unique microclimate. The vineyard's south-facing slopes capture intense daytime heat, while cool evening breezes sweeping through the Yakima Valley preserve the grapes' natural acidity. To craft a wine of exceptional depth and complexity, JM Cellars typically utilizes a combination of concrete egg fermentation and neutral French oak aging. This thoughtful technique tempers the grape's naturally racy acidity with a beautifully rounded, creamy texture, resulting in a sophisticated white wine that balances bright citrus notes with rich mineral undertones.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a benchmark family-owned artisanal winery centered at Bramble Bump, a wooded sanctuary in Woodinville, Washington. Initially mentored by prominent Washington vintners Mike Januik and Charlie Hoppes, the Bigelows evolved from basement garagistes into leading producers of small-lot, site-expressive Pacific Northwest wines. While production operations are based in Woodinville and Maltby, estate fruit originates from Margaret's Vineyard—a certified sustainable and Salmon-Safe site perched within Walla Walla's acclaimed SeVein development. Complementing their estate plantings, JM Cellars selectively sources from venerated Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, and Red Mountain vineyards, including Boushey, Stillwater Creek, and Quintessence. Winemaking under John and his son Tommy emphasizes precision and texture, utilizing small-batch fermentations in stainless steel, concrete eggs, and French oak barrels. Benchmark cuvées include their signature Tre Fanciulli red blend, Margaret's Vineyard Bordeaux varietals, and vineyard-designated Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, consistently distinguished by vibrant fruit purity and structured finesse.
🍇 Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc