This Saturday (Dec 6th), we’re excited to welcome Jim Prosser of J.K. Carriere to Spin the Bottle—a winemaker whose story is as layered and compelling as the wines he crafts. And for us, it’s extra special: Jim has been a friend of Matt’s for more than 20 years, and one of his guiding lights in winemaking. Having him in our space feels a bit like bringing family home.
The legend starts with a big face on a label, the contraction of two grandfathers’ names (J.K. Prosser & Paul Carriere), an insect that can kill you, and a couple of decades chasing authenticity. Jim came back to Oregon in 1999—post finance, post dress-for-success, post “crazy-shit-out-on-the-world”—after stints with Pinot producers in Oregon, New Zealand, Australia, and France. J.K. Carriere was his best guess at a recognizable life, and he built it from the ground up: just him, a handful of grapes, a 100-year-old barn, and a whole lot of MacGyvering.
As the “pure wine” accolades rolled in and the late nights and ramen got old, “me” turned into “we.” By 2007, Jim and his team had willed themselves into 40 acres of untouched hilltop. A year later came a purpose-built winery grounded in beauty and simple physics. In 2009 they began planting St. Dolores Estate—named for Jim’s mother—and by their 20th anniversary they were farming 38,000 vines across 26 acres.
Two decades in, that same hilltop continues to insist on the truth: great wine starts with great dirt. Jim’s philosophy follows suit—no shortcuts, just intimate knowledge of the land, natural farming, and thoughtful winemaking that lets the vineyard speak for itself. The result? Acid-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with substance, soul, and a clear sense of place.
Come meet Jim, hear the stories, and taste the work of someone who has helped shape Oregon wine—and who we love hanging out with.
Saturday, December 6th | 2–6 pm | Free tasting!
