Tank Talk with Jonathan Nagy, Winemaker, J. Wilkes

From UC Davis chemistry labs to 23 Central Coast harvests, Jonathan Nagy brings a quiet intensity to every bottle of J. Wilkes. We sat down with the winemaker to find out what drives him.

October 23, 2023 J. Wilkes, Central Coast, California

Tank Talk with Jonathan Nagy, Winemaker, J. Wilkes

Jeff Wilkes loved seeing his wines at Michelin-starred restaurants. An accomplished sailor, grape grower and vintner, Wilkes knew whole-heartedly the winemaking potential of California's Central Coast. He sold wine grapes for the Miller Family for nearly 20 years before crafting his own wine in 2001.His tragic death in 2010 inspired the family to honor his legacy to purchase the J. Wilkes brand, thus enabling his name to live on. Today the J. Wilkes range of sub-AVA crafted wines continue to showcase the diversity of California's acclaimed Central Coast.We talked with J.Wilkes winemaker Jonathan Nagy about everything from his love of sushi to his favorite grape varietal (yes, the obvious one) and of course, what it's like to make wine on California's Central Coast.

The Interview

A Conversation with Jonathan Nagy

23 questions

TM

The Mark Wine Group

Where did you grow up and what was special about it?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I spent my first 12 years in Santa Maria, CA then in Campbell, CA. In both places, there was always opportunity for outdoor activities and adventures.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

The great outdoors. I must fess up. I had not heard of Campbell, California so I looked it up and it has a very interesting claim to fame. Campbell is home to the Pruneyard Shopping Center, a sprawling open-air retail complex which was involved in a famous U.S. Supreme Court case that established the extent of the right to free speech in California. I really love this. So, what did your parents do? Were they in the wine business?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Ha. No. They both worked Procurement in Aviation and Aerospace.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

How did you get into wine?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I was first exposed to Viticulture at UC Davis (as a Chemistry major). I self-studied as I worked my first years in the industry.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

A self starter. Love it. What experience do you bring with you to J. Wilkes?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I have worked 23 harvests with 21 of them being on the Central Coast. While mostly making wine from Santa Barbara County, working for Mondavi and Jackson Family brought (me) much exposure to other California appellations, winemakers, and winemaking techniques.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

We share a little something in common, I was Hawai'i Metro Manager for Kendall Jackson Wine Estates for a few years. It's how I met Mark in 2000. I am guessing being a winemaker was not on your paper fortune teller when you were a kid! What did you want to be when you grew up? A firefighter? A rock star? A fashion model?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I wanted to play basketball or fly a jet fighter.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Not even close to chemist or winemaker! Do you have any hobbies?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Coaching basketball and going for hikes.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

So you managed to squeeze in a little of your basketball dream. Do you have any pets?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

We have two cats, chickens, and a rabbit. The chickens are dumb, but they lay eggs. The rabbit doesn't do anything, but it's cute and snugly. The cats think they own the place!
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Hah! A little bit of "Green Acres" at the Nagy home. Do you have a favorite cuisine?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Japanese food!

J. Wilkes Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

Fermented and aged sur lie in French oak, building texture while preserving bright minerality. Stone fruit, zesty mandarin, lemon cream, and wet stone on a crisp, balanced palate.

J. Wilkes Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

Hand-harvested and aged 15 months in 30% new French oak, letting the coastal terroir speak first. Earthy dark cherry, rose petal, and brown spice with blueberry, cranberry, and smoky undertones.

J. Wilkes Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles Highlands District

From SIP Certified estate vineyards with 50-degree diurnal swings. Aged 15 months in French and American oak. Black currant, cherry, cigar box, and baking spices with blackberry, mocha, and sweet pipe tobacco. Built for aging.

TM

The Mark Wine Group

So happy you didn't say French! Do you have a favorite food & wine pairing?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Definitely sushi and Pinot Blanc.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

I had a dream once that Pinot Blanc became the new Chardonnay. Obviously, that didn't happen, but I haven't given up the dream. Do you have a favorite grape varietal?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Pinot Noir! It can be a difficult grape/wine but I like a challenge.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Hah! Most winemaker's pick that so I am definitely not surprised. You all love the heartbreak grape. What's the most important thing you would like us to know about J. Wilkes?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

J.Wilkes has always been about making wines from grapes that are unique in expression of place. For Santa Maria Valley, it would be Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For Paso Robles, it would be Bordeaux varieties and Zinfandel.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

A sense of place. That's beautiful. So tell us, what's the most interesting thing about J. Wilkes?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

Jeff Wilkes, the founder, always had a close relationship with the ocean. The maritime weather pattern of the coast greatly influences all of the areas that we grow grapes.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Very cool. What's the most interesting thing about you?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

That I'm not very interesting? (laughs out loud)
TM

The Mark Wine Group

You're funny! What's your favorite part of your job?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I really love walking the vineyards during harvest time.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

I totally get that. I used to run and I loved running through vineyards whenever I visited California wine country. What's the most interesting and unique part of your job?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

The historical relationship of winemaking and wine with humanity.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Do you have a favorite getaway spot?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

The North Shore of Kauai.

TM

The Mark Wine Group

Such a special place. Especially Hanalei. Do you like to go on the road to sell your wine?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I do enjoy seeing the way the wines are received. It provides good feedback on our winemaking and style.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

Do you like hosting wine dinners?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I love to see great pairings of food and wine, especially how people receive and enjoy them.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

How do you know when a wine is ready for bottle?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

By taste and experience. Working with grapes from the same regions over the years, one gets to know a range of optimum barrel aging.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

When your wines are ready, how do you prefer to seal them? Stelvin or Cork?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

I like both for different styles of wine. A Stelvin for wines to be enjoyed immediately and corks for wines that have aging potential. I prefer DIAM corks as they are treated to be TCA-free.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

How do you feel about wine kegs?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

They can be a great fit for the right venue.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

How often do you barrel taste your wines?

JN

Jonathan Nagy

We QC taste our wines every month.
TM

The Mark Wine Group

So you will be very busy coming up these next few months. Thank you so much! Cheers!

JN

Jonathan Nagy

This was great. Thank you.