Mark Jessup Bio
Mark Jessup is the founder, co-owner and winemaker of J Gregory Cellars, ultra premium wines produced from select Napa Valley vineyards. A celebrated winemaker, Mark’s reputation has developed over a highly successful 47+ year career dedicated to making wines of unique style and expression.
His first winery experience working as a 'Cellar Rat' at the iconic Inglenook Winery during the 1978 harvest season kindled his interest and encouraged him to make winemaking his life. In 1980 Mark became a member of the acclaimed cellar team at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, building an important reputation for his winemaking skills. Over his long career there, he held key winemaking positions, working on special projects such as the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons and the early Opus One wines.
Mark left Robert Mondavi Winery in 1994 and launched Jessup Cellars in 1996. They were an immediate success. Mark enjoyed the brand’s popularity until 2004, when he dissolved his partnership in the winery and label.
In 2005, Mark and his wife Kandice created the J Gregory Cellars Label, honoring his son Jonathan Gregory Jessup, who was born with a challenging disability. The J Gregory wines echo the quality and integrity of Mark’s first wine project, Jessup Cellars: innovative winemaking style, commitment to quality, and attention to detail.
His first winery experience working as a 'Cellar Rat' at the iconic Inglenook Winery during the 1978 harvest season kindled his interest and encouraged him to make winemaking his life. In 1980 Mark became a member of the acclaimed cellar team at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, building an important reputation for his winemaking skills. Over his long career there, he held key winemaking positions, working on special projects such as the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons and the early Opus One wines.
Mark left Robert Mondavi Winery in 1994 and launched Jessup Cellars in 1996. They were an immediate success. Mark enjoyed the brand’s popularity until 2004, when he dissolved his partnership in the winery and label.
In 2005, Mark and his wife Kandice created the J Gregory Cellars Label, honoring his son Jonathan Gregory Jessup, who was born with a challenging disability. The J Gregory wines echo the quality and integrity of Mark’s first wine project, Jessup Cellars: innovative winemaking style, commitment to quality, and attention to detail.