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Freemark Abbey enters a new era

Under Jess Jackson, Freemark Abbey Winery has been able to return to its former glory after some missteps made by previous owners.

St. Helena ~ Napa Valley (AVA)

Freemark Abbey enters a new era

by Alan Goldfarb
September 24, 2007

The story of Freemark Abbey in the modern era is essentially about four separate ownership groups, two vineyards, and one winemaker. The winery, housed in one of the oldest historic stone buildings in California, had fallen on hard times for the last half-dozen years, with a caretaker who nearly drove it into the ground.

Enter the tall and imposing figure of Jess Jackson, the founder of wine company giant Kendall-Jackson, whose high-end Jackson Family Wines came to Freemark Abbey’s rescue.
(Included in the 2006 purchase, said to be $97 million, was Arrowood Vineyard and Winery and Byron Vineyard and Winery.) Under Jackson, it is almost assured that this once lustrous property will find its place again in Napa Valley royalty.

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