The Master Winemaker Behind America’s Bestselling Chardonnay Bids Farewell
Introduction to Randy Ullom
The first time Randy Ullom laid eyes on California, he wasn’t impressed. Born in Michigan and raised in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, he was accustomed to the lush, green landscapes of his youth. But California, which at the time had been enduring a five-year drought, was “dusty, brown and horrible.” “I’d been offered a winemaking job at Buena Vista Winery and thought, ‘why would anybody want to live in California?’” he said. “The earth looked dead. I just couldn’t do it.”
Early Life and Career
But Ullom wasn’t the type to shy away from a challenge. On the contrary, he had spent his late teens and early twenties in Chile during the early 1970s, a time of intense political upheaval marked by a military coup and the rise of Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship. Ullom, who’d braved the coup for a chance to ski in the Andes, was disappointed to learn his skiing would have to wait – not because of the coup, but because a recent volcanic eruption had made the journey impossible. Unruffled, Ullom chose to stay in Chile, a life-changing decision that would eventually lead him to cross paths with Sonoma County vintner Jess Jackson.
Randy Ullom is retiring as head winemaker for Kendall-Jackson Wines and senior vice president for Jackson Family Wines. Ullom has been with the company for 32 years, and is currently going through his 33rd harvest. Photo taken in Healdsburg on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
A Shared Passion for Chardonnay
During his time in Chile, Ullom developed an interest in winemaking. So upon returning to the U.S., he earned a degree in enology and viticulture from Ohio State University. After turning down the winemaking gig at Buena Vista Winery, he spent five years making wine in upstate New York, where his love of Chardonnay bloomed. Unfortunately, it was too cold for Chardonnay to thrive in New York, so he decided to give California another chance. In 1981, Cecil and Christine DeLoach of DeLoach Vineyards in the Russian River Valley invited Ullom to join their team, where he would oversee the production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Joining Kendall-Jackson Wines
Meanwhile, Jess Jackson caught wind of Ullom, who shared his passion for Chardonnay, Chile and Chilean wines. “I’d been going back to Chile every year because I loved it so much, and Jess was doing the same thing,” Ullom said. “He realized the coastal regions of Chile and California are very similar. If he ever ran out of land in California, he could always go to Chile.” Over the years, Jackson tried, without success, to lure Ullom to Kendall-Jackson Wines. But in 1993, he made a job offer Ullom couldn’t resist. “He said, ‘Randy, I want you to do three things for me,’” Ullom recalled. “First, go down to Santa Barbara and make some Chardonnay and Pinot there. Then, go to Mendocino and make wine there. Finally, get on a plane and go down to Chile — we want to start making wine down there.’”
Quality Rules
Since Ullom joined Kendall-Jackson in 1993, the family-owned company has expanded to encompass 50 brands, including La Crema in Santa Rosa and Cambria in Santa Barbara County, as well as luxury labels such as Verité, Lokoya and Cardinale. Ullom credits part of the company’s success to Jess Jackson’s “unequivocal” commitment to quality — a precedent he set early on. “Quality ruled — with people, grapes, land, equipment, everything — there was never a debate,” Ullom said. “We’ve continued to take the high road, no matter what, and the company’s grown eightfold.”
An Extended Family
Last year, Ullom’s parents both passed away at the age of 95, having traveled the world until their mid-80s. Ullom, who’s 72, figures that gives him about “15 years left to be footloose and fancy-free” during retirement. After leaving Kendall-Jackson, he plans to spend quality time on the ski slopes, catch up on 30 years’ worth of books and relax at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He’ll also continue to manage the company’s small wine project in Chile.
Conclusion
Randy Ullom’s retirement marks the end of an era for Kendall-Jackson Wines, but his legacy will live on through the talented team he built and the exceptional wines they produce. As he looks back on his career, Ullom is proud of his achievements and grateful for the opportunities he’s had. He will always be remembered as a master winemaker who helped shape the wine industry into what it is today.
FAQs
Q: Who is Randy Ullom?
A: Randy Ullom is the head winemaker for Kendall-Jackson Wines and senior vice president for Jackson Family Wines. He has been with the company for 32 years and is currently going through his 33rd harvest.
Q: What is Randy Ullom’s background?
A: Ullom was born in Michigan and raised in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. He developed an interest in winemaking during his time in Chile and later earned a degree in enology and viticulture from Ohio State University.
Q: What is Randy Ullom’s legacy?
A: Ullom’s legacy is his contributions to the wine industry, particularly in the production of high-quality Chardonnay. He has helped shape the wine industry into what it is today and will always be remembered as a master winemaker.
Q: What are Randy Ullom’s plans for retirement?
A: Ullom plans to spend quality time on the ski slopes, catch up on 30 years’ worth of books, and relax at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He will also continue to manage the company’s small wine project in Chile.
