My guest this week is Joey Jurgielewicz III the generational leader of Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd, the family business is raising primo ducks raised in a humane envoirment and offered to some of the top restaurants in addition to the public.
Today, Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. (JJS) is one of the leading Pekin duck suppliers in North America. The company employs over 250 Pennsylvanians, and partners with 43 local farm families throughout Pennsylvania to raise JJS Pekin ducks. These same ducks are descendants of the original Long Island ducks that Dr. Joe’s grandparents raised on their farm in Long Island. Throughout the years, the staff geneticists at JJS have hand-selected the perfect breed of ducks for their clients. The JJS breed is favored by leading chefs for its perfectly balanced meat-to-fat ratio, giving clients the signature, succulent flavor of the famous JJS Tasty Duck. The Jurgielewicz family is proud to continue its 91 year tradition of providing the highest-quality Pekin duck products and world-class service to clients globally for generations to come.
Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. was founded on the core belief that all their ducks must be treated humanely. The Jurgielewicz ducks are raised free-roaming in large temperature-controlled barns and are fed only a nutritious diet of corn and soybeans. The ducks are never fed any antibiotics or hormones to promote growth. Joe Jurgielewicz & Son is the only duck farm in America with two “round-the-clock” veterinarians as well as a full-time duck welfare specialist to train employees and conduct duck welfare audits.
Take the time to watch this informative video and you may be convinced that instead of turkey this thanksgiving, a beautifully prepared duck is a great choice. Visit www.tastyduck.com
In the second half, I’ll be talking to Nataly Rayas, Oenologist and winemaking team member at Folktale Winery and Vineyards. You learn a little about the Monterey AVA and more importantly about a pair of fine wines for Thanksgiving.
Nataly is a winemaker from the Monterey Bay. She was born and raised in Monterey, CA and attended UC Santa Cruz (go banana slugs!) where she studied Literature and Classical Studies. As a self-identified right-brained person, she grew up gravitating to the arts– writing, theater, photography, among others– she discovered winemaking in 2021 which completely altered her relationship with science. She spent her first years in the wine industry harvest-hopping between hemispheres until she was hired full-time at Folktale Winery & Vineyards.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Two fine wines Folktale Winery & Vineyards perfect for Fall and Thanksgiving…
And both with Tasty Duck!
2021 Folktale Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County
Dry Riesling for Dry January: Cold, slow fermentation in stainless steel, then tank-aged to bring out crisp green apple, Meyer lemon, and a touch of soft beeswax, followed by guava, kiwi and bananas met with melon, lime zest and a grepaefruit nose. Bright and fresh on release with almost nutty palate with undertones of pear and cream. Time in bottle has matured the aromas and flavors and demonstrate how nicely Riesling ages. ABV11.8% Learn more: Riesling
2023 Folktale Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Monterey County AVA
Lively and fresh on release, with red fruit notes of strawberries, fresh cherries, and plums. The savory richness from whole cluster fermentation adds dried herb and fresh grassand forest flavors. As the wine has aged, there is alreadya gorgeous intgration of flavors as they evolve into deeper, darker notes of tobacco leaves and tea. There is a hint of woodspice on the finish. ABV13.3% Learn more: Whole Cluster Pinot
Buy the Pair at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road!