Nicolas-Jay is a collaboration between two long-time friends - famed Burgundian winemaker Jean-Nicolas Méo of Domaine Méo-Camuzet, and visionary music entrepreneur and wine-lover Jay Boberg. In 2011, Jay approached Jean-Nicolas with the idea of starting a small winery in Oregon. Jean-Nicolas had been making wine at Méo-Camuzet for almost 25 years and was very intrigued and excited by the idea of working with Pinot Noir in a new terroir.

Knowing that the wines of Nicolas-Jay would be defined by the vineyards, Jean-Nicolas and Jay began a lengthy exploration of the Willamette Valley.  They established relationships with some of the finest vineyards in the AVA, and even purchased the Bishop Creek Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, after being blown away at a tasting by the expressiveness of the site.

With a focus on freshness and balance, Nicolas-Jay is often one of the first wineries to harvest the vineyards it partners with. The grapes are 100% destemmed and pressed very slowly and at low pressures to accentuate pure fruit and silky mouthfeel. During aging, 30% new oak barrels are used, and Nicolas-Jay uses the same coopers and barrels that Jean-Nicolas selects for his Méo-Camuzet wines.