Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates

Owner(s)	Jackson Family Wines
Web site	www.kj.com

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There are multiple tiers within Jackson Family Wines, owned by the Jackson family, including 35 wineries and labels. The company has three dozen California wine brands divided among three divisions: Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates (Highland Estates, Stature, Jackson Hills, K-J Vintner's Reserve, K-J Grand Reserve, Avant), Artisans & Estates (Matanzas Creek Winery, Lokoya, Byron Vineyard & Winery, Freemark Abbey Winery, Cardinale, La Crema Winery, La Jota Vineyard Co., Murphy-Goode Estate Winery, Arrowood Vineyards & Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Matanzas Creek, Stonestreet, Carmel Road, Cambria Winery and Verité), and Jackson Wine Estates International (two Bordeaux chateaus, wineries in Chile, Australia and Italy). Each of the California brands has its own winemaker with Randy Ullom as the head Winemaster. Most of the brands have their own winery and vineyards but may draw upon mutual grape sources. The wineries exercise their own artistry.

The company is also a partner in Merrain International, an oak barrel stave mill in the Vosges district of France, and distributorships are owned in California, Arizona and Canada.

Nearly every wine is produced from estate vineyards, numbering 10,159 acres across the state. The company also owns 11,055 acres of vineyards internationally. 23% of California vineyards are planted to Pinot Noir. Total production is about 5 million cases, of which 3 million cases are labeled Kendall-Jackson. Annual revenue is reportedly $500 million.

Kendall-Jackson made its name by producing a consistent, fruit-forward, aromatic type of Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, drawing from vineyards all over California to form a blend. The wine was very appealing to the American palate because of its hint of sweetness and converted many Americans into wine drinkers. Today the wine is more serious, more dry than it used to be and is 100% Chardonnay.

A tasting room is located near the northwestern corner of the Healdsburg Plaza and is open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.

Jess Jackson passed away in April, 2011. The future of the winery will fall onto the shoulders of Jackson's youngest children.

Articles About Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates

2012 California Value Priced Pinot Noirs Honorable Mention (9.17 12/26/2012)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part 2 - North Coast & Other (9.8 6/24/2012)
Grocery Store Pinot (9.16 12/10/2012)
Mining for Good Under-$30 Pinot: Inflation Tamers (8.32 3/1/2011)
Pinot Briefs (9.1 1/11/2012)
Small Sips of Pinot (8.18 7/15/2010)

Reviewed Wines

2010 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.53, 50,000 cases, $19. Sourced from cool California coastal Jackson Estates Grown vineyards including Santa Barbara County (54%), Monterey County (41%) and Mendocino County (5%). Aged 8 months in 96% French (19% new) oak barrels. This is always a remarkable wine for me considering the huge production. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of darker cherries and berries with hints of oak and spice and even peppered beef. Wood-kissed black cherry and black raspberry fruit on a light, elegant frame with mild, sandy tannins. Pair with Asian “shakin’ beef.” Consistently one of California’s best value Pinot Noirs, widely available, and often discounted. Good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2009 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., >50,000 cases, $18. Jackson Estates grown. · Generous aromas of cherries, raspberries and strawberries with hints of exotic woods. Medium-weight flavors of slightly confected red cherries and berries with the slightest oak vanillin evident. Impressively smooth like Elvis on velvet. I kept sipping over an extended period and the wine kept delivering appealing fruit flavor. All you could ask for at this price: low alcohol, smooth texture, simple but tasty fruit, instant drinkability, ease of acquisition, all from a renowned producer. Good (+). Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »

2008 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir

alc., >50,000 cases, $18. Jackson Estates grown. · Delicate aromas of darker red berries and raisins with a hint of oak. Mildly intense flavors of strawberries, raspberries and cherries with some persistence on the fruit-driven, dry finish. Smooth in the mouth and easy to drink. Will work beautifully at the table when Pinot Noir is called for. Good. Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »

2007 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve California Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.68, $15.69. Kendall-Jackson, who cultivates 12,500 acres of vineyards, is reputedly the largest grower of Pinot Noir in California and the Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir is the best selling Pinot Noir in the United States. This wine is 92% Pinot Noir with a splash of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel for added color and complexity. Sourced from multiple California vineyards from Santa Barbara County to Mendocino County. 86% aged for 9 months in French oak barrels (some American oak barrel aging as well). The winemaster is Randy Ullom. Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasing slightly confected · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasing slightly confected aromas of strawberries and cherries with supporting oak and cedar. Modestly intense cherry and berry fruit core veering toward cherry Life-Savor flavor. Soft in the mouth with slippery tannins. A fine training wheels Pinot that is highly drinkable and a stellar value. Your wine impaired in-laws will love this wine. Good. Reviewed July 15, 2010 ARTICLE »