Jackson Family Wines makes first foray into English Wine
7th July 2023
Major US wine company Jackson Family Wines has announced plans to expand its premium wine portfolio into the United Kingdom with seasoned winemaker and former Gusbourne CEO Charlie Holland taking the lead on the firm’s new venture.
Former Gusbourne CEO Charlie Holland will be at the forefront of JFW’s UK operation.
Founded in 1982, Jackson Family Wines (JFW) remains a family-owned business committed to making sustainably-produced artisan wines of quality, character, and integrity. The company operates a collection of 40 wineries spanning major winegrowing regions in North America, France and Italy, as well as Australia, Chile, and South Africa.
The firm is now looking to expand its cool-climate vineyard and winery holdings by venturing into the UK wine industry, and is currently in the process of acquiring land to be planted with vines in Essex’s Crouch Valley.
The family seeks to grow and produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the region, with a full range of vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines and vintage still wines.
“I’ve been impressed with the quality of sparkling wines from the UK for years, which influenced our decision to develop premium sparkling and still wines here in England,” explained Barbara Banke, chairman and proprietor of Jackson Family Wines.
“With my family’s growing involvement in the English horseracing business, and our love of the UK, this move is a natural progression for our company – expanding our ventures in wine regions globally.”
Former Gusbourne CEO and chief winemaker Charlie Holland has been appointed to oversee all winemaking operations in England for Jackson Family Wines. After honing his skills in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the United States, Mr Holland returned to his native England in 2009 to join the burgeoning English wine industry.
“After 10 productive and thoroughly enjoyable years leading the amazing team at Gusbourne, I am thrilled to be joining Jackson Family Wines as they kickstart their new English wine venture,” he said.
“I believe England is the most exciting place in the world to be making wine right now and the prospect of doing this for a company with a proven commitment and track record of producing world-class wines around the globe is an enticing prospect.”
Mr Holland will officially begin working with Jackson Family Wines in September 2023.
