Forbes: Calculating the ROI of Sustainability at Jackson Family Wines - www.forbes.com
Jackson Family Wines stands out as a true leader in the wine world. In their Forbes feature, the company shows exactly how sustainability delivers real financial wins. This guide breaks down the story behind Forbes: Calculating the ROI of Sustainability at Jackson Family Wines and explains why it matters for every wine lover and business owner.
Founded by the visionary Jess Jackson, Jackson Family Wines grew into the ninth-largest winery in the United States. Today it produces more than six million cases of wine each year across 40 brands and eight countries. Yet the real success story is the company’s commitment to doing things right for the planet.

The foundation of Jackson Family Wines’ success is its “Rooted for Good” initiative, launched in 2021. The goal is simple yet bold: cut its carbon footprint in half by 2030 and become climate positive by 2050 without relying on carbon offsets. This vision comes straight from founder Jess Jackson’s belief that caring for the land makes the business stronger.
Katie Jackson, second-generation leader and senior vice president of corporate social responsibility, shared the powerful numbers in the Forbes article. Since 2015, Jackson Family Wines invested more than $19 million in sustainability programs and infrastructure. The results? Over $26 million in savings from renewable energy, water efficiency, and lighter glass bottles. That works out to roughly $4 million in direct return on investment.
One of the biggest wins came from smarter water use. The company saved more than 28 million gallons of water every year across its wineries. That equals about $1.7 million in operational savings. They also launched the “Water Wise” employee program, which turned saving water into friendly competition among teams. Ideas flowed fast, and everyone benefited.
Energy savings ranked just as high. Jackson Family Wines built the largest solar array of any winery in the United States, with more than 23,000 panels on roofs and other renewable sources like wind turbines. Today more than 30 percent of its energy comes from clean sources. Those investments delivered around $12 million in savings so far. In simple terms, the green power is like removing 1,033 cars from the road every year.
Glass bottles add up quickly when you track the full carbon picture. In 2021, the company discovered that bottle weight and packaging made up 24.4 percent of its footprint, and adding transport pushed it to 38.9 percent. A smart lightweighting program dropped bottle weight by 5 percent on four popular brands and cut emissions by 2 to 3 percent. That alone brought $6.5 million in savings.
Yet sustainability at Jackson Family Wines goes far beyond numbers. The company is transforming all its estate vineyards to regenerative farming by 2030. Practices like cover crops, no-till soil, and composting rebuild soil health while protecting local waterways. Grants and research partnerships have already brought in about $2 million in extra funding for these efforts.

On the social side, Jackson Family Wines supports over 200 local nonprofits and encourages employees to give back. They created the IDEA Alliance task force to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. Volunteers logged thousands of hours each year, proving that people and planet both thrive.
The social responsibility pillar does not yet have a full financial ROI number, but the company sees clear benefits in employee engagement and community trust. These efforts help attract talent and strengthen relationships with customers who care about purpose-driven brands.
You can see the proof in the best wines from Jackson Family Wines. Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, and Cambria are household names for good reason. Their sustainable practices mean healthier vines, balanced grapes, and wines with vibrant flavors and longer lives on the shelf. Many collectors also choose premium Jackson Family Wines labels for their quality and story.
How Jackson Family Wines Champions Sustainability offers a model for any industry. Start with clear goals, measure everything, and stay flexible. The company worked with experts at the University of California and the International Wineries for Climate Action group. These partnerships turned big ideas into daily actions.
Here is a quick look at the main savings areas:
| Sustainability Area | Savings to Date | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Water Management | $1.7 million | 28+ million gallons saved yearly; Water Wise program |
| Renewable Energy | $12 million | Largest U.S. solar array; 30%+ clean energy |
| Lightweight Packaging | $6.5 million | 5% lighter bottles on top brands; 2-3% emission cut |
| Total | $26 million | Positive $4 million ROI on $19 million investment |
These figures prove that sustainability can be good business. The company still has room to grow, but the foundation is solid. Future projects include sparkling wine in the United Kingdom and even more renewable energy to reach 50 percent clean power by 2025.
If you love great wine and want to support brands that care about the planet, look for labels from Jackson Family Wines. Their sustainable approach delivers both pleasure in the glass and peace of mind for the planet.
In the end, Forbes: Calculating the ROI of Sustainability at Jackson Family Wines shows that doing the right thing can make a business more profitable. Jackson Family Wines proves that green choices lead to stronger soil, smarter operations, and better wine. The numbers speak for themselves, and the flavors taste even better because of them.