Château Jacques

A Virginia Vineyard Before Its Time

Founded in 1968 in McLean, Virginia — Château Jacques helped pioneer grape growing and winemaking across the Mid-Atlantic.

What began in a suburban backyard became a quiet spark for Virginia wine. Over the decades, Château Jacques has transformed from a humble backyard project into a beacon of innovation and quality in the Virginia wine industry.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every bottle we produce, showcasing the unique terroir of Virginia. Each vintage tells a story, a narrative of the land, the climate, and the passion that goes into our winemaking process.

Join us as we explore the rich history of Château Jacques, the journey of our founder, and the innovations that have shaped our legacy. Discover how we continue to push the boundaries of winemaking, ensuring that each sip of our wine is a testament to our dedication and love for the craft.

The Legacy

Long before Virginia became known for fine wines, Jacques (Jake) began planting grapes in the clay-rich soil of McLean. With a background in engineering and a deep love for craft, he nurtured vines under uncertain skies — leading quietly and confidently with each vintage.

Rows of vines ran through the backyard vineyard, where trellises he built by hand caught the afternoon light. Neighbors saw a garden; he saw a future for Virginia wine.

By the 1980s, others were catching up. But Jacques was already known in winemaking circles for his tools, technique, and generosity of spirit.

1968: MG, Trailer, and a Trunkful of Grapes

In 1968, determined to plant the right stock, Jacques drove his MG up the East Coast from Florida — towing a small trailer loaded with grapes — and brought them home to McLean.

Those Florida grapes were set into the soil of his backyard vineyard, the first rows that would root, climb, and signal what Virginia’s terroir could become.

“It wasn’t a grand chateau. It was a driveway, an MG, a trailer, and a vision — planted one stake at a time.”

Year
1968
Car
MG roadster
Cargo
Grapes from Florida
Vintage roadster towing a small trailer on a long highway Florida → Virginia · 1968

The Crusher-Stemmer

In a time before equipment was easy to find, Jacques engineered a grape crusher-stemmer for use on his property. Rather than monetize it, he patented the design — then gave it to Wine Spectator magazine, free for anyone to build and improve.