Kendall-Jackson, one of California’s premier family owned estates, was established in 1982 by the now legendary winemaker Jess Jackson who bought a pear orchard in 1974 and converted it into one of California's most successful wineries.
Jackson, a self made billionaire, is credited with popularizing Californian wines and, although he sadly passed away in April 2011, his legacy continues through his daughter, Julia Jackson.
Born in San Francisco in 1988, Ms. Jackson remembers her father making the kids pick and sort grapes whist he explained the importance of hard work.
“My dad always made sure we appreciated what it took to become successful – I’ve never forgotten that”.
Kendall-Jackson’s varying levels of wines are designed to fit every wine drinkers palate and wallet. Throughout the range the wines exhibit unique soil and climate characteristics of grapes grown in California’s cool coastal regions.
Kendall-Jackson wines are made in sustainable wineries and are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing vineyards. Julia is passionate about making wines sustainably and has a passion for the outdoors and nature.
The Local Nose Hong Kong caught up with Ms. Jackson on her recent trip to Hong Kong and asked her about her wine life, horses and doing a harvest in Bordeaux.
TLNHK: This is your third visit to Hong Kong. What is it you like about the place?
JJ: “I love how sophisticated the wine market is here and how educated people are. The combination of the environment, the food, the views and the people make it an extraordinary place. It’s a place that's so international and very in tune with the rest of the world.”
TLNHK: When did you first start taking an interest in wine?
JJ: “Probably when I graduated from college. I went to France, to our vineyard there Chateau Lassegue, and did a harvest and got to see how much work goes into making a bottle of wine. It made me look at wine in a different way and also made me appreciate it more.”
TLNHK: What was it like growing up within your family and did wine take centre stage?
JJ: “Wine was an integral part of life and it did take centre stage. We spend a lot of time talking politics and business. Of course a lot of time is taken up with horses as our family is very big on this, we own a farm in Kentucky and we also have a horse racing business.”
TLNHK: You have done harvests in Bordeaux. What was that like?
JJ: “It’s a lot of physical labour. It’s grueling and exhausting. We sometimes worked from 7am to 10 at night just to get all the grapes in. I worked on the sorting table and I also worked the pumps, cleaning the tanks, punch downs…it was very exhausting.”
TLNHK: Other than wine, what are you most passionate about?
JJ: “We have our own horses and I love to ride. The ranch is extensive and I love to ride around that, sometimes the vineyards and up in the mountains. It’s a great escape. I love music and play piano and guitar.”
TLNHK: What’s your favourite thing about the wine industry?
JJ: “I like wine because it’s a combination of art, science and business. I love being able to learn and educate your palate and being exposed to all kinds of phenomenal wines, not just from our portfolio but from around the world. I love the networking and social aspect of the work. The wine industry is really about building your brand and establishing relationships and I like that a lot.”
TLNHK: Do you drink much wine at home?
JJ: “I guess we drink a lot of white wine in the summer in California, but it depends on the occasion and what we are eating. I drink a lot of everything and I have my own cellar which enables me to collect wines from around the world. It’s really important to expand your knowledge of other wines out there and compare it to what you’re doing.”
TLNHK: What is your favourite style of wine?
JJ: “I’d say my favourite wines are Californian. It’s not that I’m biased but world class wines do come from California, from Sonoma County in particular. My favourite wine in our portfolio is a cabernet sauvignon called Stone Street Rock Fall.”
Wines from the Jackson Family Estates are available in Hong Kong from ASC Fine Wines.
Contributed by Alasdair Nicol, TLN Editor – Hong Kong
