Jess S Jackson

Grew up during Depression; became farmer. Planted grapevines on 80-acre pear- and-walnut orchard in California 1970s. First Kendall-Jackson wine on market 1982. Now produces more than 4 million cases of vino a year on 14,000 planted acres. Recently acquired 44-acre Chateau Potelle Winery in Mt. Veeder, Calif. Has invested $250 million in Thoroughbred breeding. Mr. Jackson was a successful lawyer looking for a little excitement in his life in 1974, when he and his wife, the former Jane Kendall, bought an 80-acre pear and walnut farm in Lakeport, Calif., north of San Francisco. Mr. Jackson began expanding, creating or acquiring more than 30 wineries and brands that today produce more than five million cases annually. His umbrella company, Jackson Family Wines, includes in its portfolio La Crema, Cardinale, Arrowood, Cambria, Lokoya, Matanzas Creek and Vérité in the United States, Château Lassègue in Bordeaux, Tenuta di Arceno in Tuscany, Yangarra in the McLaren Vale region of Australia and Viña Calina in Chile. Mr. Jackson’s first marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Banke; two children from his first marriage, Jennifer Hartford and Laura Giron; three children from his second marriage, Katie, Julia and Christopher; and two grandchildren.