Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/426275
{ SOMMjournal.com } 77 A timeline of recent history in California wine reveals astonishing numbers. Today there are over 3,700 bonded wineries in the Golden State; 20 years ago in 1994 there were roughly 900. What about 40 years ago? There were approximately 250 wineries in California in 1974, when South Dakota–born former Air Force captain and research scientist Jerry Lohr launched his wine business. Wisely, he had begun planting his vineyards in Monterey County years before. Measured by the statistics above, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is positively an "old" family winery. Today, the brand maintains a diverse portfolio of wines with vineyards planted across multiple appellations. One of the most exciting of these categories is the work that J. Lohr is doing with Pinot Noir in Monterey County. Lawrence, Cynthia, Jerry and Steve Lohr at Snowden Vineyard in Paso Robles. PHOTO COURTESY OF J. LOHR VINEYARDS & WINES J. LOHR IS COMMITTED TO MONTEREY COUNTY PINOT NOIR