Prominent California Winemaker Jess Jackson Dies

GEYSERVILLE, Calif. (AP) -- Jess Jackson, the founder of the Kendall-Jackson winery and a prominent thoroughbred owner, has died of cancer. He was 81.

   Caroline Shaw, a spokeswoman for Jackson's company Jackson Family Wines, confirmed Jackson's death Thursday.

   In recent years, Jackson was one of horse racing's leading owners. He campaigned two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, and then purchased a majority interest in Rachel Alexandra, the sensational filly who was Horse of the Year in 2009.

   As a California vintner, Jackson built a multimillion-dollar empire on chardonnay with his popular Kendall-Jackson brand before moving into the racehorse business with his Stonestreet Stable.

   A letter on his company's website ended by asking friends to "take a moment this week to lift a glass and join us in a toast to our friend and founder Jess Jackson."

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)