Today we’d like to introduce you to JP Valot.
Hi JP, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story in wine begins in Argentina, a country where wine is deeply connected to culture, food, family, and everyday life. Growing up with that connection gave me an appreciation for wine that goes far beyond what’s in the glass. For me, wine has always been about sharing, bringing people together, and creating memories.
My journey eventually brought me to Oregon, where I found a wine community and a region that inspired me to continue developing my passion for winemaking. Over the years, I’ve built my career as a winemaker and founded Valcan Cellars, pursuing my own vision of producing wines that reflect both my experiences and my appreciation for the places and people behind them.
Coming from Argentina, Malbec has always had a special place in my heart. It’s a grape that represents so much of my country’s wine identity, but I also became fascinated by what Oregon could do with it. I believe Malbec has enormous potential here, and I wanted to help give the variety more visibility and recognition in the Pacific Northwest.
That idea led me to create Malbec in the City in 2023. My vision was to bring together wineries from across Oregon and beyond, celebrate the diversity of Malbec, and give winemakers an opportunity to showcase their work. I also wanted to bring a little bit of Argentina to Portland through food, culture, music, and tango.
What started as an idea has grown into an annual gathering that connects wineries, winemakers, chefs, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts. Seeing producers embrace the event and watching people discover the different expressions of Malbec has been incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, I see my journey as a combination of my Argentine roots, my experiences in Oregon, and my desire to create something meaningful for the wine community. I’m proud of where I come from and grateful for the opportunities I’ve found here. Through Valcan Cellars and Malbec in the City, I hope to continue building bridges between cultures and showing people that wine is ultimately about connection.
For me, that’s what makes this journey so special.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not! Like most entrepreneurial journeys, mine has had its share of challenges, unexpected turns, and moments when things didn’t go according to plan.
Moving from Argentina and building a career in a different country meant adapting to a new culture, developing new relationships, and proving myself in an industry that is both competitive and demanding. Winemaking itself is challenging enough. Every vintage brings different conditions, new decisions, and lessons. You quickly learn that you can plan everything in the cellar, but ultimately, nature has the final word.
Building Valcan Cellars has also taught me a lot about entrepreneurship. Running a small winery means wearing many different hats. You’re not just making wine; you’re managing finances, sales, marketing, distribution, customer relationships, and all the unexpected things that come with running a business. There are days when you spend more time solving problems than doing the work you originally fell in love with.
Creating Malbec in the City brought another set of challenges. Turning an idea into an annual event requires convincing people to believe in your vision, building relationships with wineries, finding sponsors, coordinating logistics, and making sure everything comes together. Getting people to embrace something new is never automatic.
More recently, the transition of our tasting room has reminded me that sometimes circumstances change regardless of how much effort you’ve invested in something. Having to look for a new home for Valcan Cellars has been challenging, especially when you’ve built relationships and memories in a particular place.
But I’ve learned that setbacks are also opportunities to rethink things and come back stronger. I try not to see challenges as reasons to stop, but as part of the process of building something meaningful.
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that passion gets you started, but persistence, adaptability, and the people who support you are what keep you moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is centered on winemaking, with a particular passion for expressing the character of Oregon vineyards while bringing a little bit of my Argentine heritage into everything I do. As the founder and winemaker of Valcan Cellars, I focus on crafting wines that are balanced, expressive, and authentic to their origin. I’m especially passionate about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as Malbec—a variety that has a special place in my heart because of my roots in Argentina.
Beyond the cellar, I enjoy connecting people with wine and helping make the wine world more approachable. That passion led me to create Malbec in the City, an event that celebrates Oregon and Pacific Northwest Malbec while bringing together wine, food, music, tango, and Argentine culture. It has grown into something bigger than a tasting event: a way to build connections between wineries, winemakers, chefs, and the community.
What I’m most proud of is creating something that reflects who I am and where I come from, while contributing to the Oregon wine community. Starting Valcan Cellars and building Malbec in the City have both required creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take risks.
I think what sets me apart is the combination of perspectives I bring. I have an Argentine connection to wine and culture, but I’ve built my professional life in Oregon. I appreciate tradition, but I’m also willing to experiment, create new experiences, and bring people together in unexpected ways. For me, wine is never just what’s in the glass. It’s also about the people, the stories, the culture, and the memories we create around it.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are many ways people can work with me, collaborate, or support what I’m building. The easiest place to start is through Valcan Cellars. I’m always happy to connect with wine lovers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and industry professionals who are interested in our wines or exploring opportunities to work together.
I’m also very open to collaborations with wineries, vineyards, chefs, restaurants, musicians, artists, and local businesses. One of the things I love most about creating Malbec in the City is bringing people from different backgrounds and industries together around a shared appreciation for wine, food, and culture. We welcome partnerships, sponsorships, creative ideas, and anyone who wants to help make the event grow.
And, of course, people can support us simply by visiting our events, tasting our wines, sharing our story, and introducing us to others who might be interested. Every connection helps build a stronger wine community.
Ultimately, I believe the best opportunities come from genuine relationships. I’m always interested in meeting people who are passionate about what they do, open to new ideas, and excited about creating something meaningful together. Whether it’s a business opportunity, a creative collaboration, or simply sharing a glass of wine, I’d love to connect.
Pricing:
- Event $45-65 tickets
- Wine $27-$60 dollars per bottle
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malbecinthecity.com
- Instagram: @malbecinthecity
- Facebook: @malbecinthecity
