News, Accolades and Events

Oregon Wine Report

Velocity 2003

A-

"This release is (Janeway's) finest yet: it is lively and substantial, pleasing and tasty today, yet worthy of waiting in the cellar for many more years."

Velo 2003

"This is a very tasty and easygoing blend that has a lively feel...full flavored, it is rare to have such a nice Oregon red for under $20!"

World of Wine Fest '05

"Gold Medal: Awarded to the wine in its Class exhibiting perfect varietal character, balance and structure; a wine of exceptional quality."

Gold Medal, Best Red Blend

Velocity 2003

Gold Medal, Best Bordeaux Blend

Velo 2003

World of Wine Festival

Portland Indie Wine Festival

People's Choice Awards

"These are some of the best and most innovative small production wines in Oregon."

Velocity 2002

"Wine with the Nicest Legs"

Velo 2002

"Best Wine with Barbeque"

Wine Spectator

Velocity 2002, 88 points

June 2005

"Smooth and polished, with a spicy edge to the harmonious currant and herb flavors, finishing with grace. Drink now through 2009. 311 Cases made.-H.S."

Velo 2002, 87 points

June 2005

"Charming and generous, a fuzzy mouthful of ripe currants and hints of exotic spices and green beans, finishing with an open texture. Drink now through 2007. 323 cases made.-H.S."

Wine Spectator

Juried Selection

Portland Indie Wine Festival

Velocity 2002

"In years to come, we may envy the opportunity to taste wines from the likes of Bill Beran, Gus Janeway, and Jason Lett."

Cole Danehower, OWR 22

Oregon Wine Report

Velocity 2002 in Top Ten List

"Cole's Top Recent Oregon Non-pinot Red Wine"

A-

"Aromas of chocolate-covered plums combine with molasses-covered toast to create a darkly fruity atmosphere..."

Velo 2002

B "Best Value Wines"

"In the mouth, the wine offers a supple and creamy texture, with healthy amounts of raspberry and cherry fruit flavors, a subtle vanilla aura, and a touch of red licorice..."

Northwest Palate Magazine reviews

Velocity 2002

2 Clusters (Highly Recommended)

"Cassis, cedar and plum in the nose. Full-bodied flavors of spiced plum fruit balance fine, ripe tannins. Rich and focused, with a finish of toast and plum. Pair with grilled flank steak and onion confit."

Velo 2002

2 Clusters (Highly Recommended)

"Perfumed, anise-scented aromas of cherry and berry fruit. Ripe and lush flavors of cassis, cherry and cocoa. Balanced and juicy, with notes of sweet barrel toast in the finish; pair with gruyere cheeseburgers and caramelized onion. Good value."

Latest Cuvee

Gus and Julia Janeway joyfully announce the arrival of Theodore Winslow Abbott Janeway, born 5/5/05 8:47pm, 21” and 8 lbs.

A few more photos of Theo and his happy parents

Velocity 2002 wins Gold Medal at Monterey Wine Competition 2005

Velocity 2002 was also a sweepstakes candidate for "Best of Show, Red Wine"

"At the Monterey Wine Competition, all wines are tasted blind and judged solely on the merits of what's in the bottle, not what's on the label or by the retail price," says Chief Judge Robert Whitley.

Little brother Velo won a Silver Medal at Monterey.

Wine Enthusiast

88 Points, Velocity 2002 February 2005

“This blend of 30% Malbec, 30% Cab Sauv, 21% Merlot, 12% Cab Franc and 7% Syrah is a focused, complex and layered wine that all knits together. Winemaker Gus Janeway has successfully tamed tough, rugged tannins that are the biggest challenge for southern Oregon reds.”

Oregon blends will sport 'claret' on their labels

Tuesday, February 08, 2005 by KATHERINE COLE

RoxyAnn, Del Rio, Tyrus Evan and A to Z all make a claret; look for the name on more labels in the future. "I know of a couple of wineries that have stopped pursuing a proprietary name and have happily jumped on the bandwagon and said, 'Hey -- let's market claret as a Southern Oregon signature,' " says RoxyAnn winemaker Gus Janeway.

Read the rest of the article

Southern Exposure Magazine

"Creating New Flavors and A New Tradition In The Rogue Valley "

A Winemaker Profile: Gus Janeway

By Condé Thompson Cox

Something of an iconoclast with a mild-mannered, almost Clarke Kent disposition, Janeway can be disarming when talking about his new Velocity Cellars label: "I actually did set out originally to create a more traditional bordelais blend, " (from the Bordeaux winegrapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). "Instead," he confesses, "I did not limit myself to the traditional palette of varietals."

read the whole article

Velocity Cellars “Morning After” Launch Vineyard Tour
Fortified with strong coffee, croissants and chocolates of varying cacao percentages, we took a morning’s ramble to check on the grapes, by bicycle of course. Guests got to hear Gus discuss ripening conditions with the three vineyard owners who grow grapes for Velocity Cellars. Breakfast was augmented by much impromptu munching of delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec grapes from Gold, Pheasant Hill and Carpenter Hill vineyards.

Ashland Daily Tidings

“The New Breed: Unveiling cements Rogue Valley's reputation for wines”
By Andrew Scot Bolsinger, Editor

“Thursday night at the Peerless Hotel and Restaurant was as much a celebration of a brand new Southern Oregon wine label as it was a celebration of the Rogue Valley's budding success in winemaking - not to mention the amazing culture of food and wine in the region. All of the 30 or so wine aficionados, sellers and of course, crafters, seemed to agree there was much to celebrate. But on this night of officially unveiling Velocity and Velo, two new blended red wines crafted here in the Valley with fruit grown in the Valley, the highest calling may have been the baptism of the Rogue Valley's adopted son, Gus Janeway.”

> Link to entire article

Velocity Launches Winery at Peerless Garden Party
The inaugural release of Velocity Cellar’s flagship wine, Velocity, was celebrated by winemaker Gus Janeway, his wife Julia, and a gathering of winegrowers, chefs, sommeliers, wine merchants, reporters and others who got their first taste of this singular Rogue Valley project. The Peerless restaurant served decadent delights paired with three wines: 2002 Velocity, 2002 Velo, and the 2002 Peerless house blend that was custom made by Gus. The official launch was declared as a bottle of Champagne was dramatically opened by a ceremonial saber, and a toast was offered by Gus to all of those present who contributed grapes, talent and support to Velocity’s first vintage.