Chardonnay & Seyval Blanc, from the Hudson Valley, NY State.

John Jaques, a cobbler by trade, began growing native grapes in the backyard of his Washingtonville, NY store as early as 1824. By 1835, he had established a large vineyard, selling his grapes in the New York City market. As prices dropped, Jaques turned instead toward making wine, releasing his first commercial vintage in 1839, under the label “Blooming Grove Winery.” As an elder in his Washingtonville Presbyterian Church, Jaques initially produced wine for sacramental use, but from the first vintage the wine quickly developed a reputation for purity, “free of alcoholic adulterations.”

In 1858, Jaques passed the operation on to his three sons, John Jr., Oren and Charles. First renamed “John Jaques Jr. & Brothers,” and then “Jaques Brothers Winery,” the three brothers expanded the vineyards and increased production to 15 different styles of wine, keeping roughly 35,000 gallons of wine, port and brandy in storage in their hand-dug underground cellars. The Jaques Brothers Winery continued to prosper until, in 1886, ill health forced Charles Jaques, the last surviving Jaques brother, to sell the entire winery and vineyards to New York City wine merchants J. M. Emerson & Son.

Since 1839, Brotherhood has been recognized as one of the finest producers of sparkling wine in the U.S. This Blanc de Blancs is made from Hudson Valley Chardonnay grapes & Seyval Blanc grapes grown in NY State.

TASTING NOTES: Subtly nutty on the nose with a hint of lemony perfume, this Chardonnay sparkler is pleasantly brisk. This delicate and vibrant dry sparkling wine has a nice soft mousse, which enhances its melon, peach and honey crisp apple notes, as well as its green and floral aromas. It is well balanced with a pleasant aftertaste driven by slight earthy minerality, and balanced acidity.