Churchill Downs Inc. on Tuesday named Kendall-Jackson and La Crema the preferred wines of the Kentucky Derby from 2021 through 2024 as part of a four-year partnership.

Founder Jess Jackson started Kendall-Jackson in the early 1980s and built upon his success to expand and acquire other wineries, such as La Crema. The sister wineries have been leading the wine category in popularity year after year. Kendall-Jackson has been the number one selling Chardonnay in America since 1992. La Crema played a fundamental role in propelling single-vineyard wines from cool-climate appellations and was an integral part of the Sonoma Coast’s rise to winemaking fame as one of the first wineries to craft Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the previously unfamiliar region.  

The Jackson family’s storied legacy in winemaking runs deep, but their endeavors in the elite horse racing world are lesser known. Jackson ignited a life-long dream in 2005 when he and Barbara Banke, chairman and proprietor of Jackson Family Wines, established Stonestreet Farm in Lexington, Ky., where they have been named the leading North American commercial breeder of Thoroughbred yearlings nine times.

“To have passionate leaders in the horse racing community like Barbara Banke and the Jackson family support the Kentucky Derby with Kendall-Jackson and La Crema, two of their most prominent, critically-acclaimed wineries, just reinforces the tradition of excellence to which we are committed here at Churchill Downs,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack.

“Our winemaking reputation is built on a vision that through a commitment to excellence, hard work, and integrity, you can accomplish great things,” Barbara Banke said. “Not only do we embrace these ideals as the backbone of our 40-year wine business, but also our approach to Thoroughbred horse racing. To bring two of our greatest passions together on the global stage at the Kentucky Derby is monumental for us, and we couldn’t be happier to be partners with Churchill Downs.”

As part of the 2021 sponsorship, Kendall-Jackson and La Crema will be poured at all Churchill Downs Racetrack events and highlighted in a variety of activations as the preferred wines of the Kentucky Derby.