Dark Fruit Delights: Exploring the JDB Wines 2019 Skyhook Red Blend

Winemaker Derek Beitler: Learning about Wine from an Early Age

Derek Beitler began his wine education well before he reached an age where he could enjoy the fruits of his labor and learning. You see, while Derek’s parents were not winemakers, his uncle, Chuck Wagner, is a prolific wine entrepreneur. Derek spent endless summers immersed in the world of wine at Uncle Chuck’s world-famous Caymus Winery. 

What’s great about Derek’s story is that he started at the bottom, just like any other cellar rat. From there he performed odd jobs on the bottling line, and helped out with various operational tasks. While Caymus is famous for its red wines, Derek was interested in the brand’s white wines. Because his was a summer job, his school schedule meant that he had to be back in Oregon before the red grapes ripened, so he placed all of his attention on the white wines. 

Creating JDB Wines

It’s hard to imagine a better learning opportunity for a future winemaker than the one Derek received at his uncle’s winery. In the mid 2000s, he put that knowledge to good use and began experimenting with his own single-vineyard Sonoma County Syrahs and Viogniers under the Bodega Rancho label.

Fast forward to today, and the JDB Wines has expanded to include:

• Cerro Red Blend – a red blend of 55% Petit Verdot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah
• Cerro Cabernet Sauvignon – A Cabernet made with grapes from Napa’s Oak Knoll District
• Cerro Chardonnay – A whole cluster Napa Valley Chardonnay
• Stellae Martis – a rose of Grenache
• Skyhook (the red blend we review in this article) and a Skyhook rose wine

Interestingly, while most of the brand’s wines are made with grapes from Napa, Skyhook is made with fruit from Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. 

Bennett Valley AVA

Bennett Valley AVA, located in Sonoma County, California, is a revered winemaking region known for its unique microclimate and high-quality grape production. Like so many world-class winemaking regions, the area benefits from cool mornings and evenings, with warm afternoons – creating an ideal environment for cultivating a variety of grape varietals. The cool climate influences result in wines with bright acidity and excellent balance.

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah are among the prominent varietals grown in Bennett Valley. The valley’s diverse soil types, ranging from volcanic to alluvial, contribute to the complexity and distinct characteristics of the wines produced here. Winemakers like Derek, who use Bennett Valley fruit often highlight the terroir in their wines, showcasing the region’s specific attributes and nuanced flavors, rather than leaning into new oak barrel aging.

With its picturesque vineyards and a reputation for premium wines, Bennett Valley remains a respected wine region within Sonoma County.