Rooted in our Family-Grown Legacy.
Making good wine takes time. Growing great wine takes a lifetime. Our story began in 1982, rooting our vines in the rich soils of California Wine Country. We didn't just set the bar as ‘America’s Favorite Chardonnay’ or pioneers in sustainable winemaking—we work hard every day to ensure we are raising it. Over 40 years of commitment to the quality of our wines keeps our team grounded and guides us into a sustainable future. Join us, we would love to share it with you.
Winery History
1974
Jess Jackson purchases an 80-acre pear and walnut orchard and replants it with Chardonnay grapevines in Lake County, just north of Napa Valley.
1982
Established in 1982, Kendall-Jackson began when Jess and family set out to make a premium, yet affordable, California wine.
1983
The inaugural vintage of Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay wins the first-ever Platinum Award for an American Chardonnay at The American Wine Competition. This same year, Jess sold the first case of Vintner’s Chardonnay at the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station in New York City.
1983
President Reagan insisted on serving California wines at the White House and First Lady Nancy Reagan loved Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay. San Francisco Chronicle's Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and city icon, Herb Caen, caught wind of the story and wrote a column about the wine referring to the Chardonnay as "Nancy’s wine”.
1986
Stemming from the success of Vintner's Reserve, Kendall-Jackson debuts a new collection of wines under the Kendall-Jackson label– the Grand Reserve collection is a winemaker’s blend of mountain, ridge, hillside, and benchland grapes, grown along California’s cool coastal appellations.
1991
Kendall-Jackson is the only American Winery to share ownership in a French stave mill. Our commitment to aging & fermenting in French oak barrels has helped us deliver America’s favorite Chardonnay since 1982.
1992
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay becomes #1 selling Chardonnay, by retail dollar share, in America, and remains so to this day.
1996
The Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens boasts with a tasting room, acres of culinary gardens, demonstration kitchen and educational vineyard—making it the ultimate wine, food and farm-to-table experience in Sonoma County.
1997
In March of 1997, Randy Ullom is named Head Winemaker for Kendall-Jackson Winery, a distinction he still holds today. In his role, Randy is intimately involved in the intricacies of the viticultural and winemaking programs of Kendall-Jackson.
1997
The Stature collection, representing the pinnacle of Kendall-Jackson winemaking excellence, is launched. Created from our finest mountain vineyards, and handcrafted without compromise, it offers the ultimate expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
2007
Awarded to those who have made outstanding achievements in the wine and beverage world. Among his major achievements, Jess Jackson was one of the first winemakers to introduce America to varietal-specific wine, increasing the public’s understanding and appreciation of wine, and also making it affordable.
2011
Jess Jackson was that rare individual whose vision, perseverance, and work ethic transformed an entire industry. A truly self-made man, his legacy will endure, inspiring all those who believe that being successful in business does not mean that one must compromise those basic values: family, hard work, integrity, and stewardship of the land.
2011
Wine & Spirits Magazine selects Kendall-Jackson as one of its Top 100 Wineries of the Year, marking the tenth time the winery has won the award since its inception in 1982.
2011
Kendall-Jackson launches Avant Chardonnay, French for "before," signifying the state of the wine before the wood of the barrel imparts its flavor. Avant is fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barrels, delivering a vivid, crisp, and bright style.
2013
Honoring Jess Jackson's commitment to the advancement of sustainable winemaking and sustainable agriculture, the University's Department of Viticulture and Enology opens the 8,500 square-foot Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery building. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the winery is the first self-sustainable, zero-carbon teaching and research facility in the world.
2013
The award is given based on Kendall-Jackson's implementation of environmentally sensitive practices in all aspects of our operations and for our overall impact on energy savings, waste reduction, and conservation.
2013
Wine Enthusiast names Barbara Banke its 2013 'Wine Person of the Year'. The first woman to win the award, Barbara now shares it with Jess, the magazine’s inaugural recipient in 2000.
2016
This prestigious award was developed to recognize California vineyards and wineries excelling in sustainability in four categories. The Leader award is given to the vineyard or winery that best demonstrates excellence in balancing the three E’s of sustainability: environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable.
2017
Kendall-Jackson is awarded Wine Enthusiast’s 'American Winery of the Year' title, recognizing the winery’s outstanding achievements over the past year in the wine and beverage world.
2019
Co-founded by Familia Torres of Spain and Jackson Family Wines of California, International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) was created by two leading wine families deeply rooted in environmental stewardship and a passion to preserve the world's great wine heritage in the face of climate change. Together, these wineries are taking collective action to decarbonize the global wine industry.
2020
Named the 2020 'Green Company of the Year' by the drinks business (U.K.) as part of the publication’s annual Green Awards that aim to raise awareness of sustainability issues in the global beverage trade industry.
2021
Kendall-Jackson introduces the inaugural vintage of its Low Calorie Chardonnay. This low calorie wine combines the quality you know and love with just 85 calories, 3 grams of carbs and 0 grams of sugar per serving.
2022
Since 1982, Kendall-Jackson has been producing iconic wines from Sonoma County and California's most prized growing regions. For 40 years, our commitment to quality and sustainability has never wavered.
2022
Known as a pioneer in American winemaking and for our signature style of Chardonnay that is celebrated around the world, our Head Winemaker Randy Ullom is honored with two awards: Sonoma County Icon by the Sonoma County Barrel Auction and the 2022 'American Wine Legend' by Wine Enthusiast.
Our Team
Randy Ullom
Tracey Shepos Cenami
Tucker Taylor
The Jackson Family
Making wines has become a family tradition. For generations, the Jackson family has passed down their love and dedication for winemaking. Read the story from the beginning and learn what the family is up to today. Discover more at the Jackson Family Wines site.
