Rutherford, California (August 1, 2017) – Round Pond Estate is proud to welcome Jaime “JJ” Dowell as the new Winemaker overseeing all aspects of the winemaking process at the family-owned and operated winery. Dowell will lead one the most acclaimed wineries in Napa Valley after flourishing in winemaker roles in Napa Valley and New Zealand.
As one of Napa Valley’s few female winemakers, JJ Dowell has gained wealth of experience through various winemaking positions in Napa Valley. After receiving her degree in Viticulture and Enology from University of California, Davis, she held winemaking positions at Bonny Doon Vineyard, and was most recently, Assistant Winemaker at Alpha Omega where she oversaw day-to-day winemaking operations. In addition to her experience in Napa Valley, Dowell spent three years harvesting high-end Pinot Noir at Villa Maria Estate in New Zealand.
“The position of winemaker at Round Pond must have an intimate understanding of what makes our wines special, and a vision for how we can elevate our wines to be even better,” said Ryan MacDonnell, Round Pond Estate Co-Owner. “JJ’s experience managing complex winemaking operations and delivering high quality wines make her uniquely qualified to lead Round Pond into the future.”
“Down to the grapes, the soil, the climate and the elevation, Round Pond Estate is an optimal envorinment to create incredible wines,” said JJ Dowell. “I’m honored to join the Round Pond family and work with the winemaking team on producing some incredible wines.”
Born in San Diego, JJ Dowell is a proud fifth-generation Californian. In addition to the winemaking roles, JJ has managed her family’s art gallery in the East Bay before transitioning to focus soley on making and producing wines.
ABOUT ROUND POND ESTATE
Round Pond Estate, owned and operated by the second generation of the MacDonnell family, is a Rutherford winery that specializes in the creation of pure, expressive wines, artisan foods and unforgettable experiences—all from the heart of Napa Valley. In addition to a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and 366 acres of vineyards, the estate includes 5 acres of biodynamic gardens, 12 acres of olive orchards, and one of only two olive mills in the region. The high quality Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, artisan olive oils, red wine vinegars, and flavorful citrus syrups of Round Pond Estate reflect the MacDonnell family’s dedication to sustainable farming and production. To learn more about Round Pond Estate visit www.roundpond.com.
