When you meet a master in their field, you may never anticipate a friendship that will grow naturally and deeply over time to create a special personal and professional bond. Simply share like-mindedness and a passion for the same craft, and you get an amazing trio of friendship between Jeff, Ron and Wendy that spans a decade.

Jeff, Ron and Wendy all have a place in their hearts for Zinfandel, but Rhone varietals are their true love. In fact, it was Jeff that introduced Ron to Syrah in the early Rosenblum years that then evolved into other varietals such as Mourvedre and Grenache.

Jeff Cohn, the “JC”, winemaker and president of JC Cellars, possesses an incredibly celebrated background in both wine and food. With honors from reviewers and critics such as Sunset Magazine, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast (named as one of the Zinfandel Masters, and a winemaker to watch!), it's hard not to get excited about Jeff's stellar creations, quality wine making, and new projects like Prospect 772.

With an associate degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute and a bachelor of science in hospitality management form Florida International University, several high profile positions in the hospitality industry quickly followed including manager for Sutton Place Gourmet in Washington, DC, and food and beverage director for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises in Miami.

With key experiences and exciting career successes still to bloom, Jeff joined Rosenblum Cellars as enologist. Working with Kent Rosenblum he gained an intimate understanding of their diverse portfolio of wines and rapidly moved beyond the classic enologist role into the realm of assistant winemaker. Entrusting Jeff with more and more winemaking responsibilities, Kent soon put him in charge of production for the white wine program.

In 2000, Jeff was promoted to winemaker for Rosenblum Cellars, and in 2004 was named vice president of winemaking and production. Shortly after joining Rosenblum, Jeff started his own label, JC Cellars and the first vintage he produced was 75 cases of the 1996 Rhodes Vineyard Zinfandel from Mendocino County. In February 2006 Jeff resigned from his full time position at Rosenblum Cellars and remains as a winemaking consultant.

Today, Cohn is one of California's preeminent winemakers, renown in the industry. The excitement generated with the Prospect 772 team precedes the wine scheduled for release in mid 2007.

Profiles:   Ron Pieretti   |   Wendy Sanda   |   Jeff Cohn   |   Mark Skenfield