Jonathan Nagy, Winemaker, J. Wilkes Meticulously-Crafted Wines Defined by Ocean Influence

MILLER FAMILY CENTRAL COAST WINES, AMERICAN RIVIERA HOSPITALITY. EMBRACE THE OCEAN VIEW.

“Wines Defined by the Ocean”

An Interview with winemaker Jonathan Nagy

By Lisa Gmur, CSW

TANK TALK

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.

Pictured Left: Jonathan Nagy in the vineyards.

THE INTERVIEW

The Mark Wine Group

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

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.

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?

Jonathan Nagy

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

The Mark Wine Group

How did you get into wine?

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.

The Mark Wine Group

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

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.

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?

Jonathan Nagy

I wanted to play basketball or fly a jet fighter.

The Mark Wine Group

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

Jonathan Nagy

Coaching basketball and going for hikes.

The Mark Wine Group

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

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!

The Mark Wine Group

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

Jonathan Nagy

Japanese food!

The Mark Wine Group

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

Jonathan Nagy

Definitely sushi and Pinot Blanc.

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?

Jonathan Nagy

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

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?

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.

“My vision for J. Wilkes is to craft wines that capture the essence of the Central Coast: to showcase the diversity and exceptional terroir of its many sub-AVAs, while getting to work with some of the top vineyards in Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles.”

CONTINUED