Steele Canyon Cellars Pays Tribute to Iconic Napa Valley Wine Pioneer John McClelland
Napa Valley, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2015 -- Steele Canyon Cellars is proud to release J. McClelland Wines, a new ultra-premium Napa Valley brand comprised of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oak Knoll District and a very unique Charbono from Calistoga. The name pays tribute to one of California’s iconic wine pioneers, John McClelland. It is produced by Steele Canyon Cellars, under the leadership of Anthony Scotto III, and winemakers Paul Scotto, Mitch Cosentino and Mark Smith.
John McClelland, A Career Devoted to California Wine
John McClelland has left a permanent stamp on the California wine industry. His 57-year career includes stints as the President and General Manager of Almaden, Geyser Peak and Alderbrook. He launched Almaden in Brazil, served as Chairman of the California Wine Institute and has held leadership positions at the Wine Growers Association and the Wine Educators Associates. His knowledge of varietal history is encyclopedic, and he remains active in the industry, currently acting as an advisor to Anthony Scotto III and the winemakers at Steele Canyon Cellars while leading the national roll out of J. McClelland Napa Valley wines.
Oak Knoll District
The J. McClelland Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley’s famed Oak Knoll District just north of the town of Napa. Like all great winegrowing regions, Oak Knoll District is defined by a distinctive terroir that shapes and defines elegantly flavorful wines.
Ancient Vine Charbono
This Charbono is sourced from one of Napa Valley’s most historic properties, the Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga. Their 11.5 acres of Charbono date back to the 1920s; it is dry farmed in rocky gravel and Bale Clay Loam soils. These are the same vines that John Daniels of Inglenook sourced in the 1940s to create California’s first varietal Charbonos. There are only 52 acres of Charbono growing in the entire Napa Valley.
About the Winemakers
Winemakers Mitch Cosentino, Paul Scotto and Mark Smith worked closely with John McClelland to craft this wine at Steele Canyon Cellars, which also produces wines under the Steele Canyon label and the Scotto Family’s “50 Harvests,” a wine that symbolizes the Scotto family’s 50 harvests in California, dating back to 1963.
“I learned most of what I know from John McClelland,” comments Anthony Scotto III. “It was a tremendous opportunity to work with one of the legends of California wine – and I jumped at the chance! John joined me in 2004, and he has been by my side ever since. It’s an honor to release these wines with John’s name on them. He has been an instrumental part of the industry, and I am proud to tip my hat to him with these wines.”
Since 1883, the Scotto Family has proudly crafted quality wines to enjoy with family, food and friends. Old-world traditions have been passed down through five generations, and today they offer elegant, award-winning wines that blend time-honored tradition with new-age innovation.
For more information about JMC (J. McClelland Wines), please visit http://www.SteeleCanyonCellars.com.
Bradley Gray, Gray Matters Communications, +1 707 694-4542, [email protected]
Share this article