By Rick Riozza
Gott is Good! And right now—most wine folk who are Joel Gott Wine enthusiasts & fans agree that the wine is very good, and, the altruistic aims of feeding the less fortunate in America are very good indeed!
Joel Gott Wines, the award-winning and family-owned portfolio of elegant, balanced and affordable wines, celebrates the expansion of its philanthropic commitment through the ‘Gott for Good’ initiative by helping provide 2.5 million meals through the Feeding America network of 200 member food banks nationwide. The 2023 marks Joel Gott Wines’ fifth consecutive year of partnership with Feeding America, reaffirming the winery’s commitment to helping people facing immense food insecurity:
- Last year, nearly 34 million individuals—1 in 10—lived in food-insecure households
- Among children, more than 9 million—1 in 8—were living in food-insecure households
Since 2019, Joel Gott Wines has supported Feeding America’s goal of reducing food insecurity through Gott for Good. As a fourth-generation vintner and business owner who’s proud to give back, Joel Gott is passionate about continuing to elevate the Gott for Good initiative to help make a difference during the holiday season. Now, as the program continues its commitment for the fourth year, the brand is proud to be able to help more families and make an even greater impact in 2023.
“There’s nothing more meaningful than knowing you’re making a difference,” said vintner Joel Gott. “It’s amazing to see the good that we’re doing with Feeding America, and I couldn’t be happier with the difference we’re making by putting food on the table for people who need it. We’re really proud to be a national partner of Feeding America and excited to see the difference we can make together in our fourth year of partnership.”
Last holiday season, Joel Gott was proud to offer a gift pack wine bundle for those looking to support a brand that gave back to the holiday season. Since I’m personally gleaning this newsworthy effort by the Gott Wine displays in my wine aisles at the Palm Springs Ralphs Market, I don’t particularly see any “gift bundles” for sale. However, as indicated by the current in-store displays Joel Gott Wines continues to encourage shoppers to donate to Feeding America directly via QR codes on Gott for Good displays. Shoppers may make a one-time or monthly donation to help families in need by visiting give.feedingamerica.org/a/donate.
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.
Further, to learn more about Joel Gott Wines’ partnership with Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks nationwide, please visit www.gottwines.com/gott-for-good.
About Joel Gott Wines : Since its founding by Joel and Sarah Gott in 1996 in St. Helena, California, Joel Gott Wines has selected the best fruit from growing regions in California, Oregon and Washington – each blended to create more balanced, clean, complex and elegant wines. More than twenty years later, this wine business has maintained a legacy of giving customers expressive and food-friendly wines at great prices by partnering with vintners and vineyards with whom the Gott family has built relationships for generations. Their portfolio features six core California wines: 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rosé and the Palisades Red Wine Blend. In addition to these core wines, Joel Gott Wines produces a wide range of varietals that are produced from fruit from California and the Pacific Northwest. For more information visit www.gottwines.com.
And now: A quick review of the top Joel Gott Wines on the market today. The 2021 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc ($12) is one of the top selling Sauv blancs in California. Wine Spectator scored this 91 points, saying “This light, fresh white is overtly citrusy, with lime zest, tangerine and makrut lime leaf flavors that are light on their feet but plenty intense, showing notes of lemon verbena and lemongrass on the finish. Drink now.”
2021 Joel Gott Unoaked Chardonnay ($15): Drizly writes: This chardonnay wine has aromas of ripe pear, Fuji apple, pineapple, and melon with citrus notes. On the palate, the wine opens with bright fruit flavors and acidity, followed by a round mouthfeel on the mid-palate and crisp minerality on the finish. A wine that can easily be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of dishes; goes well with roast chicken and pork tenderloin.
2019 Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon ($18). We love this wine because it is sourced from all over California; vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Monterey, Mendocino and Lodi. And this wine reflects what each appellation gives to the wine. It shows aromas of black cherries and blackberries with notes of clove and brown sugar. The wine opens with dark, concentrated fruit flavors, followed by velvety tannins on the mid-palate and notes of vanilla on the long, textured finish.
Finally—my personal favorite, is the 2020 Joel Gott California Pinot Noir ($18) This is produced primarily from Santa Barbara fruit. And Santa Barbara Pinot is one of the most bombastic Pinot Noir grown in our state—and Cab Sauv lovers adore it. But for a nice break—I find this Gott Pinot to be on the lighter side of things. It’s wonderful and fresh, and it’s got all the pinot flavors we like: cherry, strawberry, raspberry, nice forest floor, and easy cola nut. This is the Pinot Noir for the summer! Cheers!
