Matthew Clark distributes Judgement of Paris Californian wine

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 25 November, 2016

Jackson Family Wines (JFW) has teamed up with Matthew Clark for the distribution of two of its premium Californian wineries.

Freemark Abbey and Wild Ridge will now be distributed by the leading on-trade supplier through its nationwide distribution channels.

Freemark Abbey was one of 12 American wineries chosen to compete in the Judgement of Paris tasting in 1976.

It was the only producer with entries in both the Cabernet and Chardonnay flights.

It was founded in 1886 by Josephine Tychson, making her one of California's earliest female vintners, and helped to launch the modern era of California wine in the 1960s and early 1970s with its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Four miles from the Pacific, Wild Ridge occupies one of the most extreme and demanding sites in California.

With elevation at 900 feet above sea level, it lies above the thick fog that descends over the region on a daily basis, allowing the grapes to fully ripen.

Winemaker Craig McAllister studied viticulture and enology in his native New Zealand before working harvests in his homeland, Australia, Chile, Cyprus and California.

"Freemark Abbey, including the iconic Cabernets, are a great fit for our on trade business and well placed to take advantage of the growth we are seeing in wines from California," Simon Jerrome, head of wine buying for Conviviality PLC which owns Matthew Clark, said.

Wild Ridge Pinot Noir is a lovely wine with a fantastic history and story to tell and will soon become a key part of our Pinot Noir offering to the on-trade."

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