Bubbles, Artistry, and a Bit of Serendipity

J Vineyards’ parent company, Gallo, proved the ideal collaborator due to its “Shifting the Lens” program, a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative that aims to increase representation and create positive change within the community.

The goals are similar to those of Grant’s grantLove project, which the acclaimed artist founded in 2008 in order to support art, artists and non-profit organizations through joint artworks and merchandise crafted using Grant’s trademarked LOVE symbol. The resulting artistic collaboration between J Vineyards & Winery and the grantLOVE project is a limited-release, LOVE Wine California Brut sparkling.

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Made by J Vineyards’ Estate Director and Head Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock, it features a vibrant original label by multidisciplinary artist Genevieve Gaignard, a young, biracial woman of color whose work elicits dialogue around class, race and cultural identity. Her work has appeared in numerous group exhibitions, including the Broad, Los Angeles, CA; The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA; The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA; The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.; The Studio Museum, Harlem, NY, and many others.

Each successive bottling of LOVE Wine will feature a LOVE label made in collaboration with a leading female-identified artist, amplifying unique voices and stories while transforming every bottle into a canvas of artistic expression.
“There are a lot of parallels between the art and wine worlds,” says Hitchcock, who has been with J Winery since 2015, earning Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year award in 2022. “Alexandra’s mission with grantLOVE aligns with the causes, values and big-picture possibilities that we focus on at J, and LOVE Wine connects with our modern yet traditional approach to winemaking.”

Matt Canals

The bright and balanced wine—crafted from exceptional cool-climate vineyards throughout California including the Russian River Valley, Monterey County and Mendocino County— opens with lively aromas of red fruit and florals. An expressive palate delivers hints of ripe raspberry, strawberry and cherry, a reflection of the Pinot Meunier dosage used as a finishing touch. Layered notes of poached pear, crème brûlée, cinnamon and lightly toasted brioche add richness and depth, balanced by touches of lime and citrus on the pleasantly crisp, lingering finish.

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“The LOVE Wine project has been a dream of mine for many years,” says the Los Angeles and Berlin based Grant, whose longtime partner is actor Keanu Reeves. “How fortunate was I to find a woman-led vineyard to collaborate with artists who are interested in supporting the curiosity and creativity of others? We are grateful to the women who paved the way in our industries and we want to support many more to join us! LOVE Wine is an expression of creativity and community. Let’s raise a glass to that.”

Serendipity indeed.

LOVE Wine, the limited-release California Brut Cuvée, is available for purchase ($50) online here and at the J Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room, 11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, CA. As part of this project, J Vineyards is proud to further support women in the arts and arts education via a donation to the grantLOVE fund.

Experience the winery’s LOVE Wine pop-up, through March, featuring the art of Genevieve Gaignard, special grantLOVE merchandise, and additional collaborators: The Rad Black Kids, Amber Sakai, Faribault Mills, A-Morir, Mustard Beetle, and more.