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About

Our story starts in the vineyard—evolving from a dream, hard work and dedication. Here is a timeline of our adventure and click here to watch a short video.

1885

1885

John’s great-grandfather Jean-Marie Truchard arrives in Texas from Lyon, France, with dreams of making wine.

1973

1973

John’s father Tony Truchard moves his family to the west coast from Texas, eventually buying land in Carneros, Napa Valley.

1974-1986

1974-1986

John learns farming from his father Tony at Truchard Vineyards.  Tony was one of the pioneering Grapegrowers in Carneros. In 1986 the Truchards move to Napa Valley full time.

1995

1995

While in college, John decides to build his own wine business. With a lot of time but little money, he uses his farming skills to start a vineyard management business working nights and weekends. FARM Napa Valley is still owned and operated by John today.

1997-2006

1997-2006

John leases his first estate vineyard grafting the old chardonnay vines over to Syrah on a small plot in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The John Anthony Vineyards’ inaugural vintage is harvested in 2003 and guided into single-varietal, elegant, place-driven wines. The 2003 John Anthony Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is released in 2006 receiving 92 points from Wine Spectator—securing John Anthony Vineyards a place on the map as a high-quality producer.

2009-2010

2009-2010

In the wake of the economic downturn in 2008, John resolves to find a way to make great-quality wines accessible to more people. John and Michele start JaM Cellars (JaM is short for John and Michele), producing a rich, bold, luscious California Cabernet under $20 called JaM Cabernet. The wine’s quality, price point and fun name attracts great interest at Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. John and Michele decide to add a white wine and call it Butter Chardonnay. Just 1,000 cases of Butter Chardonnay were made in 2010.
________

John Anthony Vineyards reputation goes from strength to strength opening the John Anthony Tasting Lounge in downtown Napa.

2015

2015

On the strength of a visit to Paso Robles where John meets like-minded, meticulous winegrowers, John conceives Serial Wines. This series of wines celebrates the diversity of this vast wine region. Serial Wines first releases enter distribution in 2017 and include a Red Blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some of the region’s best growers.

2016

2016

Now over 100,000 cases, JaM Cellars leans into its relationship with music opening the JaM Cellars Wine & Music Studio in downtown Napa and becoming Presenting Sponsor of BottleRock Napa Valley. JaM Cellars continues as Presenting Sponsor today with artists including Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Robert Plant, P!NK and more on the JaM Cellars Stage.

2018-2019

2018-2019

One of the fastest-growing Chardonnays of its generation, Butter Chardonnay becomes the #2 selling Chardonnay $12+  in the U.S. JaM Cellars adds ButterCans to the JaM Cellars collection which becomes the #1 selling Chardonnay in a can. (Nielsen.)

2020

2020

John Anthony Family of Wines adds Weather Wines to its portfolio. Weather is a collection of Burgundian-varietal wines grown in their most perfect micro-climates. The Weather label starts with Pinot Noirs and a Chardonnay grown in Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros, Napa Valley.

2022

2022

JaM Cellars extends the Butter brand with Butter Cab and Butter Bubbles. Butter is recognized as an IMPACT Blue Chip Brand Award Winner honoring 10 years of outstanding growth.
________

Serial Wines opens its Tasting Lounge in Paso Robles, named one of USA Today’s 10Best New Wineries 2022.

2023

2023

John Anthony Vineyards celebrates 20th anniversary with new releases, experiences and events across the country.

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