Winemaker

Jesse Katz has, in a remarkably short period of time, made himself into one of the most respected wine professionals in California. He was the first winemaker ever to be included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, and had been named a Wine Spectator “Rising Star.”

For Jesse, nothing matters more than the wine itself.

Jesse’s mission for Aperture Cellars and his select few other labels is to find the top cool-climate spots around California for his beloved Bordeaux varieties to thrive in. For Devil Proof Vineyards, it’s all about dry-farmed Malbec—the variety for which Jesse earned the highest-ever scores from Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, Jr. of The Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast. For aesthete wines, it's all about the unique soils and cool climate at Dry Stack Vineyard to produce elevated Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir's.

Eighteen harvests learning from the best producers in the world—Petrus, Screaming Eagle, Viña Cobos, Bodega Noemia, and more—have led to this moment at Aperture, where his wines have generated buzz and critical acclaim in equal measure. Jesse has earned it all: A lifetime of preparation has led to this moment.