There are those companies that literally do everything right. They make fine wine, they work eco-friendly and they are also good to their employees. How do these 'dream companies' do it anyway? We ask winemaker Craig McAllister of Kendall-Jacksons La Crema.
Text: Petri Houweling | Image: La Crema
Who is Craig McAllister?
Craig has been Head Winemaker at La Crema for 9 years. Craig: 'Our biggest challenge is the weather, which is why working in these cool-climate vineyards is great.'
Who or what is Kendall-Jackson?
'Kendall-Jackson is a family business and one of the big players in California. Their mission is to make wines that are consistent in quality and exceptional in flavour. And they succeed because they keep everything, from the vineyard to the bottle, tightly in their own hands. Since their founding in 1982, they have combined innovative techniques with common farmer sense. They are also visionaries, because in 1993 - when climate change wasn't really a thing - La Crema saw the light of day.'
Kendall-Jackson combines innovative techniques with common farm sense
From whom did the idea to seek the coolness come?
'It is a family business and the accompanying ladies more than do their bit. From them comes the call to action for greener operations in cool places. Barbara Banke is the biggest feeder. She is the wife of founder Jess Jackson and is always looking for the next perfectly located vineyard.'
Want to read more? You can do so in WINELIFE Magazine edition 91, which you can order here.
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