MEET OUR PEOPLE
Jacylyn Stokes
La Belle Nue Wine / Owner
HOW MANY ACRES OF WINEGRAPES DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FARM AND WHICH VARIETIES DO YOU GROW?
My family farms more than 1,500 acres in San Joaquin and Sacramento Counties. There isn’t a variety my family hasn’t tried to grow! My dad always thought it was important to learn by doing. We farm to learn, innovate, be unique, and – of course – have more wine to drink!
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF WINE AND HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO GET IN TO THE INDUSTRY?
Sitting at the kitchen table for family dinner and listening to my mom and dad talk about my dad’s first wine label. From that point on, I knew I wanted to be a part of the wine industry. I was nine.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi growers are very passionate and knowledgeable, but humble; they’ve dedicated a large portion of their lives to keeping big producers in the U.S. in business! Without Lodi growers and viticulture, great producers like Mondavi wouldn’t have the notoriety they do today.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER? WHY?
My grandfather and my dad – I learn from them every day. I would not be the person I am today without them.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT OR SPOTS IN LODI?
Towne Corner Cafe, Wine & Roses, Five Windows Beer Co., Komachi Sushi, West Oak Nosh – any location with good food and good wine!
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER OR START OVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
This is it! I left corporate America to come back to what suits me best.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Taking out the trash!
Pictured: Jacylyn Stokes and father, Bill Stokes
