MS Walker of Rhode Island sales representatives and sales specialists visited a few of the Jackson Family Wines’ California properties on an educational trip in January. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, the family-owned and -run winery sells approximately 6 million cases per year, making it the ninth-largest wine producer in the United States. Jackson Family Wines holds a portfolio of more than 30 premium wineries—including those from the Spire Collection, La Crema and Cambria—and is recognized for its environmentally and socially responsible business practices. The team visited Kendall-Jackson, Freemark Abbey, Stonestreet and La Crema properties and, while touring and tasting, had a chance encounter among the vines with acclaimed Kendall-Jackson Winemaker Randy Ullom, the 2022 American Wine Legend for Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards.
-
- All from MS Walker except where indicated: Jeff Mancinho; Marc Berry; Michelle Orlando; Randy Ullom, Winemaker, Kendall-Jackson; Jaimie Puckett; Gabby Matos; Mike Bianco; Ryan Lavoie; Matt Supinski; Peter Morais; and Joseph Nardonne.
-
- A tasting setup of Kendall-Jackson wines: Jackson Estate Sable Mountain Chardonnay 2021, Jackson Estate Cloud Landing Pinot Noir 2020 and Jackson Estate Hawkeye Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.
-
- Freemark Abbey in St. Helena became Napa’s 16th bonded winery in 1886. The MS Walker team enjoyed a tasting of its award-winning Cabernets through Chardonnays.
-
- Stonestreet Estate Vineyards educated the MS Walker team on California winegrowing during a tour of its 5,500-acre mountain estate high above the Alexander Valley in the Mayacamas mountain range.
-
- The MS Walker team sits amid views of Alexander Valley and the Mayacama mountain range, home of Stonestreet Estate Vineyards.
-
- Jess Stonestreet Jackson and Barbara Banke established the estate in 1995 and their son Christopher Jackson and his wife Ariel continue the winemaking legacy.
-
- A view of the storied Saralee’s Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley in a historic barn dating back to the 1900s, where La Crema wines are grown and made.
-
- Sheep graze among the vines. La Crema wines are biodynamically farmed, organically made and fair trade.
