Justin Vineyards Focuses On Quality
With New Vineyards, Winemaker, Label

May 16, 2012
Shanken News Daily
 

Since Justin Vineyards & Winery was sold to Fiji Water owners Lynda and Stewart Resnick in November 2010, the 100,000-case Paso Robles property has focused on wine quality and improving operations. Founder Justin Baldwin, who is still involved in winemaking decisions, as well as marketing, public relations and distribution, says that while the brand’s total volume remains unchanged, the winery has expanded its production facilities and added 500 acres of vineyards to allow sourcing solely from its own grapes.

Meanwhile, Justin is benefiting from the experienced marketing and administrative team of its new parent company, which also owns brands Pom Wonderful and Cuties California Mandarins. The Resnicks’ reputation and business savvy has also helped place Justin wines in high-profile on-premise accounts like Nobu and Jean-Georges.

In April, Justin hired winemaker Scott Shirley, who served as an enologist at Opus One for six years and worked as winemaker at The Hess Collection for nearly seven years. Shirley will work alongside Fred Holloway, Justin’s long-time vice president and director of production and winemaking.

The winery is also launching a new label for its single-varietal wines ($15 to $25 a 750-ml.), including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah and its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for 50,000 cases. The sleek, modern logo incorporates the triangle imagery used in the Bordeaux blends Isosceles and Justification and provides a more cohesive look for the brand. Previously, a different artist would be commissioned to design a new label for each vintage. The revamped logo will be featured on the 2010 vintage releases, which roll out this summer. The Justin 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) will be released in June.