Jed Steele was the winemaker who essentially put California Chardonnay on the map. The Judgement of Paris made the world aware of the quality of California Chards, but Jed is the guy who turned it into a consumer success.
After college (he got a basketball scholarship at Gonzaga), Jed started out in the industry at Stony Hill, then at Edmeades Winery before he became Kendall Jackson's winemaker for its first vintages, back when it was still based in Lake County. He came up with a slightly off-dry Chard that made KJ a success (until then, Sauvignon blanc was by far America's most popular white). It was Nancy Reagan's favorite white wine.
When nine years later Jed quit KJ to start his own venture down the road, Jess Jackson sued him for stealing the Chard's recipe, branded a "trade secret" – and won. The landmark court case ruling sent a chill down the industry's spine.
Jed Steele nevertheless built up his own brands with wines made from Lake County grapes but also from Washington State, Napa Valley and Santa Barbara vineyards. He helped develop a lot of industry talent.
He sold his Steele Wines to Shannon Family of Wines in 2020 and the new owner preserved his flagship brand.
R.I.P. Jedediah Tecumseh Steele.
by SpaceJackRabbit
10 Comments
Thought it was Andy Reid for a moment there
Thank you for the write up
Loved the Blaufrankisch from Washington State that he made under the Shooting Star label. Once drove to Steele in Lake County to get a mixed case of his wines, always consistent and a great value.
I loved the Catfish Zin from Steele. He was always a kind and generous man
Most amazing man. I was lucky to work with him. He made me a better person. So generous and fun loving. I wouldn’t be in the wine industry without him.
I met him a few times. He was fun to work with and loved to talk wine with customers.
Ah shit. I’m so sorry to hear this. What a good hearted, generous man. I worked with him a bit in the last few years on the grape side. He had season tix to the Giants that he was always sharing with others. Good guy. Industry lost a good one.
Rest Easy Jed
Legend, a very nice guy that was always generous with his time. RIP
He was the first winemaker I ever met when I was bartending in Kentucky back in the day and now I get to steward one of his best old vineyards (Catfish). Rest easy to a real one.