Jim Barrett (winemaker)
James L. Barrett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 November 1926 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | 14 March 2013 (aged 86) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, winery proprietor |
| Known for | Proprietor of Chateau Montelena; winner of the 1976 Judgment of Paris Chardonnay contest |
James L. Barrett (November 8, 1926 – March 14, 2013) was a prominent American entrepreneur and proprietor of Chateau Montelena, recognized for triumphing in the 1976 Judgment of Paris Chardonnay contest.
Early life and education
Born in Chicago to Irish immigrant parents John and Margaret Barrett, he moved with his family to Los Angeles during the 1930s. In his youth, he sold newspapers before serving in the United States Navy throughout World War II. Barrett completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1946 and later obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in 1950.
Career
In 1972, Barrett, alongside Ernie Hahn, acquired the Chateau Montelena winery from Lee Paschich, who remained as general manager. They appointed Mike Grgich as the winemaker. Barrett replaced the existing vineyards of Chasselas, Alicante Bouschet, and Carignane with high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon vines and initially procured Chardonnay grapes from outside sources while waiting for the new vines to mature. A decade later, in 1982, he entrusted winemaking responsibilities to his son, Bo Barrett.
In the 2008 motion picture Bottle Shock, Barrett’s character was portrayed by actor Bill Pullman.
Personal
Barrett passed away on March 14, 2013, in San Francisco at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife Judy, to whom he was married for 33 years; their children Stephanie, Bo Barrett, Michael, Kevin, Gabriela; and five grandchildren.