Jewell Towne Vineyards

Jewell Towne Vineyards
183 Whitehall Rd
South Hampton, New Hampshire
USA 03827
Phone: (603) 394-0600
http://www.jewelltownevineyards.com

Contact: Brenda Oldak
Email: [email protected]

In 1977, Dr. Peter D. Oldak, an emergency physician and his wife, Brenda, moved to a 12 acre farm in South Hampton, New Hampshire. In 1982, merely as a hobbyist home gardener, he planted six individual grape vines. Four years later, he started making wine. Each year more vines and varieties were planted to see which would do best in our climate, soil, and location, and which varieties would make excellent quality wine in southeastern New Hampshire.

By 1990 there were over 60 varieties of American, European, and French Hybrid grapes in the ground and it was becoming evident that the vineyard, with its southward facing slopes on the Powow River, possessed the ideal micro-climate for wine growing. Through extensive study, trial and error, and availing himself to the best professionals in the East, Dr Oldak learned grape growing and wine making. With this knowledge, the quality of the grapes improved with each harvest and as a result of hard work, skill, and dedication, so did the wine!

In 1990, the vineyard was established named after (and situated in) the Jewell Towne Historic District of South Hampton. Dr. Oldak narrowed the focus of his grape growing to approximately 20 varieties and worked on honing his wine making skills. In 1992, at the American Wine Societies National competition one of his wines, South Hampton White, won a gold medal and best hybrid of the show. Another wine, Alden, was awarded a silver medal. This was the beginning of the 'hobby run amok' as Brenda is fond of saying.

In 1994, the decision was made to go commercial and the first harvest of 40 cases was released. These sold out in 3 weeks. In 2010, Jewell Towne Vineyards produced over 7000 cases and could be found in over 150 stores, NH Liquor stores, and restaurants throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

From 1994 to 1996 wines were produced in the cellar of the Oldak home. In 1997, due to increasing demand and limited space, Peter and Brenda made the decision to build a separate Winery modeled after an 18th century New England style post and beam barn in the middle of the vineyard. Construction was started in May of 1997 by David Cronin, a local resident, known for his exquisite historic reproductions, and it was completed in 1998.

Jewell Towne Vineyards is a family run enterprise, embracing the New Hampshire entrepreneurial spirit. Brenda, a visiting nurse and also an artist, has designed the label, runs the art gallery, and, along with the Oldak's children, Tenley and Trevor, participates in every aspect of the vineyard and winery's operation.

The winery offers a spacious tasting room, wine cellar, a bottling room, and a balcony art gallery which showcases Brenda’s paintings.

Winemaker: Peter Oldak

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jewelltownewine

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jewell.towne.wine

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