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By CLARE O'CONNOR
Jess Jackson.
California winemaker and self-made billionaire Jess Jackson passed away today at the age of 81 after a long illness.
The one-time longshoreman worked as a police officer and attorney before buying a pear orchard in 1974 and converting it into a vineyard. Today, his Jackson Family Wines operates 35 wineries in California, Chile, Italy, Australia, and France.
He is credited with helping to popularize the California grape, making $1.85 billion from scratch along the way. His Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay won the first double Platinum Award ever presented by the American Wine Competition. In recent years, Jackson started transferring his wealth to other family members, so he dropped off the FORBES 2011 Billionaires List.
As well as being one of the country’s best known vintners, Jackson was a thoroughbred horse enthusiast and outspoken proponent of reform in the racing industry. He was a regular fixture at bloodstock auctions and racetracks and was respected as an owner and breeder. His Stonestreet Farms stable is home to Curlin, the all-time top earning racehorse in North America with over $10.5 million winnings, and Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years and 2009 Horse of the Year.
Jess Jackson.
California winemaker and self-made billionaire Jess Jackson passed away today at the age of 81 after a long illness.
The one-time longshoreman worked as a police officer and attorney before buying a pear orchard in 1974 and converting it into a vineyard. Today, his Jackson Family Wines operates 35 wineries in California, Chile, Italy, Australia, and France.
He is credited with helping to popularize the California grape, making $1.85 billion from scratch along the way. His Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay won the first double Platinum Award ever presented by the American Wine Competition. In recent years, Jackson started transferring his wealth to other family members, so he dropped off the FORBES 2011 Billionaires List.
As well as being one of the country’s best known vintners, Jackson was a thoroughbred horse enthusiast and outspoken proponent of reform in the racing industry. He was a regular fixture at bloodstock auctions and racetracks and was respected as an owner and breeder. His Stonestreet Farms stable is home to Curlin, the all-time top earning racehorse in North America with over $10.5 million winnings, and Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years and 2009 Horse of the Year.
