Jameson Canyon in Bloom: The Season So Far
There’s a quiet pulse running through Napa Valley this time of year—one you can feel in the air and see in the vineyards. At John Anthony Vineyards, this is where our commitment to heritage, winegrowing, and winemaking comes alive, vine by vine, season by season.
A Promising 2025 Season: Cool Breezes, Steady Growth
In Jameson Canyon, where our Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc vines thrive, the 2025 growing season is taking shape under steady, promising conditions. After a notably dry start to winter, late January brought much-needed rain, soaking the soils and setting the stage for healthy vine development. Spring unfolded with mild temperatures, cool coastal breezes, and fog-draped mornings—ideal for slow, even growth.
Bud break arrived in mid-March, followed by steady shoot elongation and the first signs of flowering in May. So far, the season has been marked by balance: no late frosts, no extreme heat spikes, just a steady rhythm of growth that reflects the measured nature of this cool-climate site.
Jameson Canyon’s Legacy: A Cool-Climate Gem in Napa
Jameson Canyon has long been prized for its unique terroir. Tucked into the southeastern corner of Napa Valley, just beyond Carneros, this region has quietly contributed to some of the valley’s most elegant wines. Its cool marine air, shallow clay-loam soils, and rolling hillsides create an environment perfectly suited for varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc—grapes that demand a longer growing season and benefit from coastal influence.
While much of the attention in Napa has traditionally centered on Cabernet Sauvignon from more famous AVAs, Jameson Canyon has its own quiet legacy. Vineyards here first took root in the 1980s, as pioneering growers like the Nerlove family planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. By the 1990s, families like the Raymonds had recognized the site’s potential, developing over 200 acres of vines dedicated to premium white grapes.
Stewardship and Precision: John Anthony Vineyards in Jameson Canyon
When John Anthony Truchard acquired the historic Raymond vineyards in 2021, it marked a new chapter for Jameson Canyon. For John, who grew up surrounded by Napa’s vineyards and whose family had farmed nearby Carneros for generations, Jameson Canyon was more than a strategic acquisition—it was an opportunity to steward a piece of Napa’s history.
Today, under the care of John Anthony Vineyards and the precision farming of FARM Napa Valley, these vines continue to flourish—producing fruit that is integral to the John Anthony Reserve Chardonnay and the Jameson Canyon Vineyard Chardonnay, both celebrated for their vibrant fruit character, layered complexity, and sense of place.
The recently re-released 2022 John Anthony Reserve Chardonnay, sourced entirely from Jameson Canyon, exemplifies the quality of this site. With its golden hues, aromas of Anjou pear, apple compote, and orange blossom, and layered notes of brioche and ocean minerality, it’s a wine that reflects the promise of the land and the vision of our team.
A Season of Possibility
As the 2025 season progresses, we’re watching the vineyards with a careful eye. Flowering is underway, and the cool, steady conditions bode well for an even fruit set. The vines are balanced and healthy, their canopies lush and green, setting the stage for another vintage that expresses the purity, precision, and sense of place that define our wines.
It’s a beautiful time to visit Napa Valley. The vineyards are in bloom, the weather is mild, and there’s an unmistakable sense of momentum in the air. Plan your next visit to the John Anthony Tasting Lounge in downtown Napa, where you can experience the wines shaped by Jameson Canyon’s distinct terroir—crafted with intention, rooted in place, and distinctly John Anthony.