This last year has been one of big changes for the Jones Love Federation. What’s new, you ask? All of it. Everything. Shortly after our last letter (last August) to all you dear people, Jaime’s dad (“Hoppy,” affectionately) rang us up with that phone call you hope to never get. Three months later, in November we were at his bedside holding his hands and wishing him a peaceful journey out of this life. Chuck Berry was right, man. You never can tell.

We had been house-hunting all that prior Spring and Summer. Hoppy had come with us to check out lots of places. We kept returning to a particular bright turquoise bungalow on a hill, though we knew we could never afford it and all the land that came with it. Howell Mountain land. Plantable Howell Mountain land. Though Jon had dug his toes into the rocky alluvial soil and declared it “orgasmic,” no, we could never swing that. Also, Jon throws those juicy words around pretty loosely.

Well, when Hoppy called us that day in August to tell us about the cancer, he also told us to “do whatever we had to do” to buy that turquoise house with all the land.

We did what we had to do and here we are: the owners of over two acres on Howell Mountain, with a house and a porch and a 100-year-old oak tree. There will soon be a vineyard, and Paravel wines will literally have their own roots. Thanks to Hoppy. And thanks to you, we have people who will appreciate the wine we grow.

It’s a curious thing, this life. We are all so lucky to get whatever piece of it we can grab. And now, speaking of getting some…we’ve got some for you!"

2012 Suisun Gary Mangels Vineyard Petite Sirah

In 2012 we procured some Petite Sirah grapes from a vineyard not far from Jon’s childhood home in Suisun Valley. The long growing season in this hot valley gave us perfect mature fruit to work with. We get ripe-off-the-vine blackberry & raspberry jam with a smattering of resinous black pepper on the nose. Rich and creamy at the entry and through the mid-palate to a lush and elegant finish. Enjoy now through 2020.

2012 Howell Mountain Henry Brothers Ranch Petite Sirah

When this mountain gets its time, the fruit is magnificent. The combination of this mountain, these grapes, and these Henry boys is some kind of alchemist magic. 2012 was an epic season on Howell Mountain. This Petite Sirah is deep blackberry to the core. The barrels lent sweet graham cracker and vanilla notes. Lay this baby down. Although it’s balanced and approachable now, it will carry beautifully long into 2024. (I guess with certain things, Chuck, you can tell.)

The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé were bottled in March. Quantities are quickly dwindling, so snatch up these easy-drinking gems! The 2012 vintage reds will be bottled in early August, and will be ready for pick-up immediately. Shipments will take place when the weather cools in November. You may choose a standard allocation of either a full case (3 of each red, 1 each white and pink :) or you may also customize an order with up to 6 bottles of either red. Custom requests are first come, first served.

To Life, Love and Loving Life, and to Hoppy,

Jon and Jaime Jones