Jake Biggs, US wine buyer, Majestic Wine
Jake Biggs says Rombauer's Chardonnay dellivers the richer, toastier styles of Chardonnay that more of its customers are looking for
What is it about Rombauer's wines that are of interest to Majestic?
Rombauer has great provenance, history and a story behind their wines, which we know our customers look for. We had a gap in our range for premium Chardonnay from Carneros, and the Rombauer style was just what we were looking for. It fits perfectly with some of the trends we are seeing among our customers, who are increasingly buying into richer or toastier styles of Chardonnay. The Rombauer Chardonnay offers a great trade-up option for customers who are looking to explore this style further at a more premium level.
How do these wines fit into your overall California wine range and what difference do you hope they can bring?
Majestic will have perhaps the most comprehensive range of Californian wines we have ever had going into Christmas this year, with more than 60 wines ranging from £8.99 all the way up to £350 a bottle. Majestic is the only national wine specialist, so it’s vital that we showcase a variety of grapes, styles, producers and regions – and our partnership with Rombauer contributes to the reputation we have built across the category.
What styles of California wine are selling well and why do you think that is?
The two Rombauer wines listed by Majestic in-store
The US category continues to grow strongly for us, with customers increasingly looking for more premium options. Majestic is the market leader in American wines at the £10-plus price point, so we play in a very different space to the supermarkets.
Bold and characterful wines are really resonating with our customers at the moment, as are richer, toastier styles of Chardonnay. I think wines from California in general offer brilliant bang for your buck – our customers recognise that and see it as a category in which they can discover something new that they will love.
What criteria do you use when deciding to work with a new producer like Rombauer?
First and foremost the wine has to stack up in terms of the taste profile. Our customers expect to enjoy a high-quality bottle of wine every time they shop at Majestic, so we have to ensure every wine we put on our shelves meets those expectations.
But we also look at a producer’s story, history and provenance when deciding whether or not to work with them. At Majestic, we say "there’s a story behind every glass" and our customers really buy into that, too. They like to know where the grapes are grown, who by, the history of the vineyard – all of these things are important to people when selecting a bottle of wine to enjoy with friends and family.
I’m also constantly looking at ways in which we can drive innovation in the US category, whether that be through new producers, regions or grapes, to help our customers discover something new and exciting.
Richie Allen, head winemaker, Rombauer Vineyards
Rombauer's winemaker Richie Allen says Majestic is the ideal partner for the winery to showcase its wines in the UK
Why did you want to work with Majestic with these wines?
We have always respected Majestic for its knowledgeable staff, high level of customer service, and beautifully curated selection of global wines. When we decided to increase our export from California to the UK, we wanted to align ourselves with a company whose values mirror those of our own and who will make it easy for our UK customers to find our wines. We’re really excited about what’s to come.
What do you think you can offer them that other producers can’t?
Our winery is known for its high-quality wines from extraordinary vineyard sites throughout California. Each year, the team works exceptionally hard in both the vineyard and the winery to craft wines which are fruit forward, balanced on the palate, and consistent year over year.
Beyond the wines, we are known for our family-style hospitality and high touch culture and that comes across in everything we do. Our wines truly become part of peoples’ lives. They are shared at holidays and milestone moments, across generations and geography. To be a part of lives that way is a privilege that our team does not take for granted. We like to say that at Rombauer we make more than just wine, we make memories. We’re just getting started in the UK.
What styles of wine are you working on with Majestic and why?
The two Rombauer wines on the Majestic website
We’re thrilled to share two wines with Majestic and its customers - our iconic Carneros Chardonnay and our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our Carneros Chardonnay is the wine for which we are best known. When anyone in the world mentions California Chardonnay, this is the wine they are thinking of. The fruit comes from Carneros, the hilly region at the bottom of Napa and Sonoma Valleys, where nighttime fog and bright sunny afternoons grow grapes which are high in acid and full of rich, ripe flavors. The wine is fermented and aged in barrel where its lees are hand stirred once every seven to 10 days, the interaction creating a creamy texture with hints of vanilla. We are so proud of this wine and can’t wait for more people to try it.
Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was the very first wine we ever made back in 1980 and it is still one of our flagships. The fruit comes from estate and long-term growing partner vineyards throughout Napa Valley, representing the true breadth and depth of the Valley.
Rombauer's Joan vineyard named after Joan Rombauer
Once at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and optically sorted to ensure only perfect fruit makes it into the wine. A cold soak extracts color and flavor before a combination of tank and barrel fermentation to provide a richer, more textured palate. The wine is gently basket-pressed before being racked to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging.
How does this partnership with Majestic fit into your overall export strategy in the UK?
The UK is a key focus for us internationally and our partnership with Majestic guarantees we’ll be able to share The Joy of Rombauer with our friends in the UK and all over the world.
We’re truly grateful to have found such a great fit and look forward to everything to come.
* You can find out more about Rombauer at its website here.
* You can find out.more about Majestic and its Californian range at its website here.
* Rombauer is part of the E&J Gallo Luxury Wine Group, a commercial partner to The Buyer. You can find out more about Gallo and its range of premium wines here.
