Jewell Towne Vineyards

Jewell Towne Vineyards developed from Peter Oldak's backyard grape-growing experiment in South Hampton, New Hampshire. In 1982, Oldak planted six vines on his property, which included a garden and orchard. He investigated whether the local microclimate could support commercial grape production and compared its conditions favorably with those of New York's Finger Lakes region. This work challenged the common view that northern New England was too cold for viable winemaking. Oldak experimented with more than sixty grape varieties before reducing the vineyard's selection to about twenty by approximately 1990. The chosen varieties emphasized reliable performance in a short, cool season, although the estate also cultivated traditional Vitis vinifera grapes such as Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling. Hybrid plantings included Aurore, Seyval, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, and Marechal Foch. Oldak particularly advocated renewed appreciation for Landot noir. The winery received its commercial license in 1994 and released its first forty cases. Until 1996, production took place in the Oldak residence's basement. Construction of a dedicated winery was completed in 1999. The facility included a wine cellar, bottling room, tasting room, and balcony gallery for exhibitions by local artists, giving the business both an agricultural and community-oriented visitor experience. Jewell Towne eventually produced approximately eighteen to twenty types of wine. Its portfolio included red and white varietal wines, blush wines, ice wines, and a port-style product made from Chancellor grapes. The wines earned awards at national competitions and state fairs, helping establish the winery's reputation within the emerging New Hampshire wine sector. Production reached about 35,000 bottles per year by the early 2000s. Because the five-acre vineyard could not supply enough grapes for that output, roughly seventy percent of the fruit was imported from New York and California. In 2010, the winery deliberately reduced production so that it could use only fruit grown on its own property. Since the state boundary crosses the land, some labels identified the wine as originating 50 percent from New Hampshire and 50 percent from Massachusetts. The enterprise also contributed to regional industry development. Oldak helped establish the New Hampshire Winery Association and collaborated with the University of New Hampshire in viticulture and winemaking education. These activities reinforced Jewell Towne's role as more than a producer: it was also a participant in building the institutional and technical foundations of New Hampshire's wine industry. In 2018, reports stated that Peter and Brenda Oldak planned to retire, discontinue wine production, and sell their remaining inventory. The available reference does not document the final disposition of the business or confirm a later reopening, sale, or successor operation. Accordingly, the brand's current status cannot be determined from the supplied sources.

1. 2018Owners announced retirement plans

   Peter and Brenda Oldak were reported to be ending production, selling remaining stock, and retiring.

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2. 2010Production shifted toward estate-grown fruit

   The winery reduced production so that it could use only grapes grown on its five-acre property.

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3. 2000Production reached approximately 35,000 bottles annually

   By the early 2000s, output had grown to about 35,000 bottles per year, requiring substantial outside grape sourcing.

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4. 1999Dedicated winery completed

   A purpose-built facility with cellar, bottling room, tasting room, and an art-gallery balcony was completed.

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5. 1996Home-basement production ended

   Wine production had been carried out in the Oldak home basement until this period.

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6. 1994Commercial winery launched

   Jewell Towne Vineyards obtained a commercial license and released its first forty cases of wine.

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7. 1982First grapevines planted

   Peter Oldak planted six grapevines at his South Hampton property, beginning the experiment that became Jewell Towne Vineyards.

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A pioneering northern New England winery focused on locally adapted, cold-hardy grape varieties, estate-grown fruit, regional identity, and educational support for New Hampshire viticulture.

• Red varietal winesWine1994

  Jewell Towne produced red wines from a mix of cold-climate hybrids and other suitable grape varieties. Its red-wine program reflected the winery's effort to match grape selection with the short growing season of coastal New Hampshire rather than relying exclusively on conventional warm-region varieties.

• White varietal winesWine1994

  The white-wine range included wines associated with grapes such as Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Vidal blanc, Vignoles, Aurore, and Seyval. The selection combined familiar Vitis vinifera grapes with hybrids better adapted to northern New England conditions.

• Blush winesWine1994

  Blush wines formed part of the winery's broad portfolio of approximately eighteen to twenty wine types. They complemented the red and white varietal offerings and helped the small winery serve visitors seeking lighter, fruit-forward styles.

• Ice winesDessert wine1994

  Jewell Towne produced ice wines as part of its specialty portfolio. This offering demonstrated the winery's interest in styles that could showcase concentrated fruit and distinguish a northern New England producer from conventional table-wine competitors.

• Chancellor port-style wineFortified-style wine1994

  The winery made a port-style wine from Chancellor grapes. It was one of the more distinctive products in the range and illustrated the use of hybrid varieties across styles beyond standard red and white table wines.

• 2018Planned retirement and production shutdownStrategy

  After operating the winery for decades, Peter and Brenda Oldak were reported to be preparing for retirement.

  What changed. They planned to stop producing wine and sell their remaining inventory.

  Aftermath. The available source does not establish whether the winery permanently closed, was sold, or later resumed operations.

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• 2010Reduced production to use estate-grown grapesStrategy

  At its larger early-2000s scale, the winery needed fruit from New York and California because its own five-acre vineyard could not supply sufficient grapes.

  What changed. Jewell Towne reduced the amount of wine it produced so that it could rely exclusively on fruit grown on its property.

  Aftermath. The change strengthened the winery's estate-grown and dual-state identity, although the supplied material does not quantify its later output or commercial results.

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• 2018Jewell Towne Vineyards owners planned retirement and inventory sell-off

  Reporting indicated that Peter and Brenda Oldak intended to retire, end wine production, and sell their remaining stock.

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1. Jewell Towne Vineyards