Jonathan Pey
USA
He's worked with American giants like Mondavi and French masters like Domaine Louis Jadot
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Sonoma winemaker Jonathan Pey spent his early teen years in France — and it’s impressed upon him a desire to craft wines that unite Old World wine flair with ”why not?!” American attitude.
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He’s topped Wall Street Journal’s wine lists, impressed critics like Robert Parker, and auctioned off precious coveted bottles at Premiere Napa Valley, but he’s most excited to make wines with Angels. Why?
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In early 2020, Angels supported Jonathan through the COVID Relief Fund, so he could keep his independent operation running for harvest. You loved his Spicerack wines so much, we asked him to share more. He’s up for the challenge — and you’re guaranteed delicious rewards.
Jonathan Pey's Story
Winemaker Jonathan Pey has the character and verve of a Frenchman, but his backstory began in New Jersey. His French connection has roots, as Jonathan moved to France from the Garden State as a teen. “That’s where I saw wine bottles on dinner tables for the first time,” he said with a gleam.
He took his early love of French wine dinners to heart and pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture and hit the ground running as a winemaker — crafting French, Californian, and Australian wines.
“I got to work with French wine luminaries at esteemed Maison Louis Jadot (Burgundy), Penfolds Winemaker Peter Gago (Australia), and even with Mr. Robert Mondavi himself.”
After going back to school for an MBA, Jonathan and his late wife Susan took an exciting wine plunge and started making their own wines in frigid western Marin County — a neighboring region of San Francisco.
This was back in 1999, and Jonathan says, “at the time, our friends thought we were nuts, but now over twenty winemakers get grapes from West Marin... just sayin'.” That first year, Jonathan bought 5 tons of Merlot. Now, he has 21 vintages under his belt, and considers it a privilege to learn something new about himself as a winemaker and his passion for wine every harvest day.
“I still get nervous at each harvest; yes the potential for greatness exists, but also the potential to really screw up! Keeps me humble and open-minded.”
Finding Success
Soon, his and Susan’s business grew into Textbook - a brand that saw soaring national success with Jonathan at the helm.
“The first time attending Premiere Napa Valley with my late wife Susan and our Textbook Oakville Cabernet, we kept looking at each other mouthing silently "Can you believe we are HERE?!"
Jonathan has carried his success gracefully, and with each new project, looks to unite his Old World flair with a ”why not?!” American attitude. “I try to make every blend bold but balanced, with exotic aromas and lovely texture... and that elusive thing called nuance,” he said.
In early 2020, Jonathan was selected from hundreds of winemakers as a recipient of Naked’s COVID Relief Fund. Angels took on a back vintage of his Spicerack wines to give him extra support and funding to ensure he could commit to wine and grape contracts for the 2020 harvest.
Now that he’s back — thanks to resounding Angel reviews! — Jonathan’s sharing two of his favorite wines with Angels. He's bringing us a Chardonnay and Zinfandel from that ever-popular label, Spicerack. With you funding fueling his wild winemaker dreams, anything could be next.
Why Naked Wines?
Jonathan has seen great success as an independent winemaker, and acclaim from some top critics, but the attention has foreced him to focus so much more than great wine.
“From vineyards to cellars to sales to websites to winemaker dinners. It's nuts sometimes,” Jonathan said.
“Your funding — the Angels’ funding — it not only allows but encourages winemakers to go that extra mile; to avoid making the ordinary and striving for the EXTRAordinary. I remain very grateful. Thank you.”
Jonathan's Archangels
Besides wine, I'm a passionate wanna be foodie! I love to cook and experiment in the kitchen- of course with a glass of NW to keep my company. I love all of NW wines especially anything from Stefano di Blasi, Dave Harvey, Rabbitt and Spaghetti, the Michauds, Karen Birmingham, Stephen Millier, Daniel Baron, the Phillips, the Glaabs, the Dashe's.. the list is endless! From the great PNW with love, LaDonna ALWAYS needs more wine!
