History

1966
Jerry Lohr begins investigating Monterey’s Arroyo Seco and other prime California winegrowing regions

1972-1973
The first 280 of J. Lohr's eventual 900 acres of estate vineyards are planted in Monterey’s Arroyo Seco region

1974
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines San Jose Wine Center is open for business, and produces its first wine, a Petite Sirah

1975
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir wines are produced from J. Lohr’s Monterey appellation

1976
J. Lohr produces its first vintage of Chardonnay and Johannisberg Riesling from its Monterey vineyards

1978-1979
Jerry Lohr hires three key cellar and bottling employees still with the winery today: Steve Lands, who today manages J. Lohr’s 180,000 sq. ft. warehouse and one million cases of wine inventory; David Mezynski, now vice president of production, and Bruce Arkley, now vice president of human resources

1979
J. Lohr wines achieve national distribution

1984   
Winemaker Jeff Meier joins J. Lohr as member of the harvest staff and today is executive vice president/chief operating officer and director of winemaking for J. Lohr

1985
J. Lohr produces its vintage year Napa Valley Cabernet, called J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, named after Jerry’s wife

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines begins its first consumer wine club, called Wine Lohr Enthusiasts, or WLE

1986
ARIEL non-alcoholic wines are developed, with patent pending for its proprietary Reverse Osmosis process

The first of the Cypress wines is produced—1986 Cypress Chardonnay

1987
The first vintage of the Estates wines is produced: J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay

Cypress Cabernet Sauvignon is produced

1988
J. Lohr’s 2,000 acres of estate vineyards are planted in Paso Robles.  J. Lohr Paso Robles winery is completed, and international sales begin

1990
J. Lohr sales surpass 250,000 cases

1998
J. Lohr releases J. Lohr Vineyard Series wines, a brand of wines whose strength lies in the defining characteristics of each of its estate-grown grapes in Monterey, Paso Robles and Napa Valley winegrowing regions

1999
J. Lohr sales surpass 500,000 cases

2001
J. Lohr Paso Robles Wine Center opens to the public, featuring a large event room and sweeping views of J. Lohr vineyards

2002
J. Lohr launches the J. Lohr Cuvée Series, a brand of three hand-crafted wines reflecting the wine styles of the great regions of Bordeaux

Painter Bridge Zinfandel/Shiraz and Chardonnay are launched, wine targeted to the international market

2003
J. Lohr remodels the San Jose Wine Center and includes an event room for dinners and discussions

J. Lohr sales surpass 750,000 cases

2004
J. Lohr re-releases Cypress wines with a vibrant new wine style and bold packaging, including the Stelvin screw cap closure, now known as Cypress Vineyards.

A second wine club, the Vineyards Select Wine Club, is launched

2005
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines announces over 10 million bottles shipped in 2004

2006
Former Von Strasser Winery and Folie à Deux Winemaker Karl Antink joins J. Lohr as assistant winemaker

2007
Steve Peck joins J. Lohr as red winemaker, hailing from brands including Jekel and Fetzer’s Five Rivers

J. Lohr Vineyard Series expands to include new varietals Fog’s Reach Pinot Noir, October Night Chardonnay, Tower Road Petite Sirah and Late Harvest White Riesling

2008
Jerry’s wife of nearly 49 years, Carol Waldorf Lohr, passes due to complications from breast cancer. A scholarship is established in her name at Middlebury College in Vermont

2009
J. Lohr unveils largest winery solar tracking array in North America—3 acres—in Paso Robles

J. Lohr names Director of Winemaking Jeff Meier the executive vice president/chief operating officer for J. Lohr Winery; Steve Lohr named executive vice president/chief operating officer for J. Lohr Vineyards

J. Lohr launches J. Lohr Gesture, limited-release wines available to wine club members and wine center visitors in San Jose and Paso Robles