Local winemaker Jim Demuth toasts to high scores on his Gregory James wines | Phil Your Glass

I managed to catch up with Gregory James Winery owner Jim Demuth at his home in New Philadelphia last week. And that’s not an easy feat.

You see, Demuth wears many hats. He’s added a few more since I first met him for a story in 2019.

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For starters, Demuth’s main job is owner of Tucson Inc., an environmental services company. As a fourth-generation farmer, he lives on a 600-acre farm where he plants corn, soybeans and hay.

In addition to owning Gregory James Wines in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma, California, he is also a partner in Vine Pro, a vineyard management company.

Did I mention that Demuth is also co-founder of Cast Wines in Sonoma, as well as a philanthropist for both the Case Western Reserve's Research Institute for Children's Health and the Tuscarawas County University Foundation?

Not long ago, Demuth, 64, was a Canadian Club whiskey drinker. That was his drink of choice since his college days at Ohio State University.

A trip to California wine country with good friend Jack Seifrick in 2012 changed all of that. That’s when he fell in love with the zinfandel wines at Hartford Family Winery in the Russian River Valley.

The next year, he bottled his first wine, the 2013 Hawks Hill pinot noir. Since then, Demuth has been sourcing grapes for the seven different wines in his portfolio from the who’s who of California grape growers − Beckstoffer, Bacagilupi, Sangiacomo and Ramizotti, to name a few. Quite an amazing thing for a relatively new kid on the block.

Demuth's wines earn 90-plus scores from Wine Enthusiast Magazine

We bellied up to a quarter sawn oak slab table in a converted horse barn with Claire Smith, the director of marketing and guest services for Gregory James Wines, and Demuth's fiancée, Sue Ann Spittle. This is one of the spots where Demuth sits down to share his wines with friends and visitors.

"Today we’re going to taste all 90-point wines,” he said proudly as he pulled the cork from a bottle of his Sangiacomo Vineyard chardonnay.

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As we sipped on his 2022 chardonnay, priced at $42, Demuth and Smith talked about the recent high scores Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded to several Gregory James wines, which will be featured in its June/July issue. Magazine editors scored this chardonnay 95 points out of 100. They also designated the wine, which is whole-cluster pressed, as a “Hidden Gem.”

Demuth was quite happy swirling his chardonnay, with its subtle flavors of stone fruit, citrus blossom and Asian pear. I picked out a touch of caramel that comes from aging the wine in 20% new oak.

"For a guy who was a total non-chardonnay drinker, I like this one,” he said.

The grapes for Demuth's chardonnay came from the prestigious Sangiacomo vineyard in Carneros. The vines are caressed by the cool Pacific Ocean breeze that willows through the Petaluma Gap, an official designated American Viticultural Area.

When asked about a food pairing, Demuth said, “I love scallops. And paired with this wine it’s extraordinary.”

Smith was quick to add that Mt Tam triple cream brie and Humboldt Fog goat cheese, both available at Heinen’s, were divine with the chardonnay.

This wine is incredibly balanced and would certainly please any chardonnay drinker, whether they prefer oaked or non-oaked in their glass.

Always the gracious host, Demuth then poured a splash of his 2022 viognier.

“Viognier pairs perfectly with a boat or a swimming pool,” he added about the easy-drinking, wonderfully aromatic white wine.

“I can finally almost spell the word [viognier]," he joked.

The Gregory James Bacigalupi pinot noir has been one of my favorites for some time. I was beyond thrilled to sample the 2018 vintage, priced at $48, that Wine Enthusiast labeled an "Editor's Choice" with 92 points.

Smith and Demuth raved about how the wine can complement a diverse range of cuisines and flavors, from spicy and Asian to chocolate-covered cranberries and anything pig: “Pigs and pinot,” he said. A memorable pairing with this pinot was pork belly with a cherry reduction sauce cooked by local chef Beau Schmidt.

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After the pinot, it was time for a taste of the 2021 Beckstoffer cabernet. The grapes come from the prestigious Georges III Vineyard, one of the most sought-after vineyards in the Napa Valley.

The 2019 vintage, which floored my taste buds at a recent wine dinner at Vaccaro’s Trattoria, is available in Ohio from Bottle to Glass Distributors for $142.

The 2021, which was given a 94-point score, is definitely another wow wine. For now, this vintage is currently only available from the winery at gregoryjameswines.com for $150.

Where to find Gregory James Wines

Russian River wine country visitors can call 330-260-5132 to book a tour and tasting at Gregory James Winery, which are only available with an appointment. Follow Gregory James Wines on Instagram for updates, including the release of its inaugural sauvignon blanc later this year.

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Find the Sangiacomo chardonnay at BluTique in downtown Akron, Krieger’s Market in Cuyahoga Falls, Mustard Seed Market in Montrose, Beau’s Market in Copley, Broken Rocks in Wooster, 63 Corks in Strasburg, and The Wine Rack & Mini Shop in New Philadelphia.

Buy the Bacigalupi pinot noir at DeVitis Italian Market in Akron, Wise Guy’s Lounge & Grill in Akron, Beau’s on the River in Cuyahoga Falls, The Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center in Aurora, The Grand Resort in Warren, Rosé’s Wine house in Lakewood, and Casa La Luna in Cleveland.

And find the 2019 Beckstoffer cabernet at Beau’s Grill in Fairlawn, Vaccaro’s Trattoria in Bath, Uncle Primo's in New Philadelphia, Chez Francois in Vermillion, The Aurora Inn, The Grand Resort, 63 Corks, and Casa La Luna in Cleveland.

Email me at philyourglass@gmail.com with any wine questions and follow me on Instagram @pmasturzo_philyourglass

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Local winemaker Jim Demuth scores big with Gregory James Wines