Press Releases
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World-Renowned Viticulturist and Educator, Dr. Greg Jones Becomes CEO at Abacela, His Family Winery in Oregon
Roseburg, Oregon, July 26, 2021 — Founders Earl and Hilda Jones and Abacela’s Board of Directors announce the appointment of Dr. Greg Jones as CEO of Abacela in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Dr Greg Jones is the son of Earl and Hilda Jones, and the new role allows the 26-year-old family-owned winery to make the generational change that will lead Abacela into the future.
A world-renowned atmospheric scientist and viticultural climatologist, for the past 25 years, Dr. Jones held research and teaching positions at Southern Oregon University and most recently, Linfield University. For more than twenty years, Dr. Jones' research has firmly linked climate change to fundamental biological phenomena in vines. His groundbreaking work has influenced the wine industry across the globe. Dr. Jones also has lifelong ties to the Oregon wine community, most closely with his family winery and vineyards at Abacela.
Located in the Southern Oregon Umpqua Valley appellation, Abacela was founded in 1994 by Earl and Hilda Jones. The estate comprises 463 acres of rolling Oak savannah, with 76 planted to vines, and monitored with three weather stations, 24 individual temperature sensors, and 40 soil moisture probes. Abacela was a charter member of the Carbon Neutral Challenge, and the family has dedicated 300 acres to wildlife conservation and habitat.
“We have full confidence in Greg’s ability to move Abacela forward with the core values that we established through honoring our customers and employees, our environmental stewardship, and building strong communities, " said Hilda Jones.
“This transition fulfills a long-term objective of family succession,” said Earl Jones. “Greg has distinguished himself regionally, nationally, and internationally as a scientist and educator,” he continued. “He is a dynamic leader with creative energy, who understands the local, regional and global wine industries, which makes him uniquely suited to carry on our family business.”
Abacela holds a prominent place in American wine history. After identifying the “Climatic Quality Factor” for Tempranillo, the world’s fourth most planted wine grape, Earl, and Hilda Jones site-climate matched, grew, and produced America’s first internationally acclaimed Tempranillo wine. Early success with Tempranillo encouraged them to trial site-climate matching other varieties that are now gaining in prominence: Albariño, Tannat, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Naçional, Graciano, Bastardo (Trousseau), and others. Their pioneering spirit also enabled them to also be among the first in Oregon to bottle 100% varietal Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Viognier, and Dolcetto.
Dr. Jones’ groundbreaking research in Bordeaux during his PhD noted that grapevine phenology was occurring earlier and earlier over the preceding century, influencing fruit chemistry and ultimately wine quality. Through subsequent climate change research in the Douro Valley of Portugal, his longtime support of the Oregon wine industry, and ongoing research in the field, have earned him notoriety and international esteem. His monthly climate reports, started 21 years ago, are read by scientists and viticulturists the world over. He has consulted with wineries and wine organizations in Europe, Australia, South Africa, South America, and across the United States. He has worked with Wineries for Climate Change, the Catena Institute, the Porto Protocol, and many others.
“Abacela was born out of Earl and Hilda’s passion, but also rooted in science, where research has informed the decisions on where and what varieties to plant and how to best manage them to produce high-quality wines,” said Dr. Jones. “I am proud to come to Abacela to continue the pursuit of science and quality wine production that has been in place for the last 26 years.”
Abacela provides visitors with educational opportunities through winegrowing walks and vineyard tours, as well as a strong hospitality experience set against the backdrop of panoramic vineyards. The tasting room has a geothermal system to heat and cool the building, reducing the winery’s carbon footprint.
Dr. Jones joins Gavin Joll, Abacela’s General Manager, and the vineyard and winemaking team in leading one of Oregon’s most popular wineries into the future.
ABOUT ABACELA
Abacela sits on 463 acres of south-sloping oak savannah in Southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley, purchased by the Jones family 29 years ago. Founded in 1994 by Earl and Hilda Jones, who began planting in 1995, the estate vineyards now total 76 acres and produce more than 12,000 cases annually. All five children, Greg, Laronda, Tamara, Hanna, and Meredith have been actively involved in the family’s wine business since the land was purchased and they now sit on Abacela’s Board of Directors. Today, the estate winery is known for its critically acclaimed, world-class wines, and has been recognized by Wine Business Monthly as a Top Ten Hot Small Brand in America, as the Oregon Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest, and as a finalist for Wine Enthusiast's American Winery of the year. In addition, Earl and Hilda were honored by the Oregon wine industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
For more information visit www.abacela.com.
Contact: Abacela, 12500 Lookingglass Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471
For Press Inquiries:
Abacela, Gavin Joll, gavin@abacela.com, (541) 679-6642, ext. 206
Abacela, Gregory V. Jones, PhD, greg@abacela.com, (541) 679-6642
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Article of note:
Abacela winery names Gregory Jones as its new CEO, OregonLive.com by Michael Alberty
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Abacela Winery announces a new partnership with Authentic Wine Selections.
Roseburg, Oregon, May 26, 2021 – Abacela Vineyards & Winery, a Roseburg-based winery, announces a new wholesale distribution partnership with Authentic Wine Selections, an Oakland, CA-based fine wine distributor.
Over the last twenty-five years, Abacela has produced an array of world-class wines from estate vineyards using sustainable viticultural practices and minimal intervention winemaking. Abacela will join Authentic Wine Selection’s portfolio of wineries with distribution throughout the entire state of California.
Abacela’s General Manager Gavin Joll noted, “We have a developed a loyal customer base statewide in California, with wholesale buyers and consumers alike enjoying our wines over the years. Authentic Wine Selections’ philosophy of representing small production, cutting-edge wineries that blaze their own trail, synchs up perfectly with Abacela’s ideals, making them the perfect fit. We are excited to work with AWS to build trusted wholesale relationships throughout California, making it easier for Californians to find and enjoy our wines.”
Authentic Wine Selections’ owner Robert Morrison remarked, “As a direct importer of great Spanish wines, I was impressed with the quality and authenticity of the Abacela line-up. After hearing the story of how Earl Jones was inspired by a bottle of Ribera del Duero and formed his vineyard and company fueled by that inspiration, I was blown away. What Earl has accomplished at Abacela is nothing short of amazing! We are thrilled to represent a true pioneer of Oregon fine wine production.”
ABOUT ABACELA
Abacela is a family-owned, estate winery located in southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Earl and Hilda Jones founded Abacela in 1995 with a dream of growing and producing world-class Tempranillo, akin to the wines of the Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Similarities between the climate of the Umpqua and these famous growing regions in Spain are what drew them to Umpqua Valley. Abacela’s production includes Tempranillo, Albariño, Malbec, Grenache, Syrah, Tannat, and many other lesser-known grape varieties, including several traditional Portuguese grapes for their Port program.
ABOUT AUTHENTIC WINE SELECTIONS
Authentic Wine Selections is a producer, importer, distributor, and broker representing a global selection of fine wines in California. We offer wines from 12 countries and three US states. Our mission is to carefully curate a portfolio of wines that are faithful to their origin (appellation), balanced, and exceptional values no matter their cost. Our domestic offerings are predominantly small or micro-production wines made by accomplished winemakers working with some of the west coast’s finest vineyard sites. Some are established veterans of the wine business; some are just now blazing their own trail. All embody the acid-balanced, food-friendly zeitgeist of the cutting edge of domestic wine production. Philosophically and stylistically, each of these producers syncs seamlessly with Authentic Wine Selections’ import portfolio and with the palates of the founding partners.
For more information visit www.abacela.com.
Contact: Abacela, 12500 Lookingglass Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471
For Press Inquiries:
Abacela, Gavin Joll, gavin@abacela.com, (541) 679-6642, ext. 206
Authentic Wine Selections, Robert Morrison, romo@authenticws.com, (510) 486-8347
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Authentic Wine Selections Logo (.png), Logo (.pdf)
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Abacela Winery announces a new partnership with Cru Selections.
Roseburg, Oregon, March 3, 2021 – Abacela Vineyards & Winery, a Roseburg-based winery, announces a new wholesale distribution partnership with Cru Selections, a Woodinville, WA based fine wine distributor.
Over the last twenty-five years, Abacela has produced an array of world-class wines from estate vineyards using sustainable viticultural practices and minimal intervention winemaking. Abacela will join Cru Selection’s portfolio of wineries and cideries of the Pacific Northwest and beyond with distribution throughout Washington state and Idaho.
Abacela’s General Manager Gavin Joll noted, “Abacela has a long history of support from wine lovers across the Northwest, who have embraced our innovative wines more than two decades. Cru Selections’ passion for small production, hand-crafted wines, professionalism, and success with Northwest brands make them an ideal partner. We look forward to working with their dedicated team and building our presence in Washington and Idaho.”
Cru Selections’ owner Guy Harris said, “We are excited to welcome Abacela into the Cru family! With our foundation being focused on representing Northwest wineries, adding Abacela helps us round out our portfolio with a winery that has established themselves as an icon in the industry. I look forward to a long lasting, successful relationship between our companies and people.”
ABOUT ABACELA
Abacela is a family-owned, estate winery located in southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Earl and Hilda Jones founded Abacela in 1995 with a dream of growing and producing world-class Tempranillo, akin to the wines of the Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Similarities between the climate of the Umpqua and these famous growing regions in Spain are what drew them to Umpqua Valley. Abacela’s production includes Tempranillo, Albariño, Malbec, Grenache, Syrah, Tannat, and many other lesser-known grape varieties, including several traditional Portuguese grapes for their Port program.
ABOUT CRU SELECTIONS
Cru Selections is a premier fine wine and cider wholesaler focused on small production and hand-crafted with heart and passion from the Pacific Northwest and abroad. After 10 years of outstanding experience in wine distribution, Guy Harris recognized that wine consumers had a growing desire for local wines. Not only do they want access to smaller wineries, but smaller wineries need representation from a distributor who understands hand-crafted quality wines. In 2008, Guy opened Cru Selections, a company for people who make, support, and desire unique wines that are not mass-produced. In the past few years, Guy has transformed Cru Selections from a one-man operation servicing Seattle to a tight-knit team, distributing wine to all of Washington and Idaho.
For more information visit www.abacela.com.
Contact: Abacela, 12500 Lookingglass Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471
For Press Inquiries:
Abacela, Gavin Joll, gavin@abacela.com, (541) 679-6642, ext. 206
Crus Selections, Guy Harris, guy@cruseletions.com, (425) 483-9900
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