Kendall-Jackson To Be Featured on "Undercover Boss," Sunday, Jan. 29 on CBS

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In what is sure to be one of the most talked about episodes of the season, CBS today announced Rick Tigner, president of Kendall-Jackson Winery — one of America's favorite family-owned wineries — will be one of the next bosses to go undercover during the upcoming third season of the two-time Emmy Award-nominated reality series, "Undercover Boss." The episode will air Sunday, Jan. 29, (8-9 p.m., ET/PT, check local listings). Kendall-Jackson is the first winery to be featured on the show.

In this eye-opening and emotional episode, Tigner went undercover to reveal aspects of the winemaking business rarely seen by those outside of the vineyards. The episode will follow Tigner, who dons a disguise so effective that even his close associates were fooled, as he explores all aspects of handcrafted winemaking, from vineyard to bottle and everything in between. Though Tigner is a 20-year veteran of Kendall-Jackson and has an extensive background in wine sales, the hands-on experience of "Undercover Boss" opened his eyes and his heart.

"I knew it would be an educational opportunity where I could look, listen and learn, but I didn't know it would be an emotional one as well. Every day was an exciting and new experience — I loved being able to see our business from such a rare perspective," said Tigner, who was promoted to president in May 2010. "I had an opportunity to see the passion and commitment our employees have for their jobs and this company. A lot of work and talent goes into making a bottle of Kendall-Jackson wine, and I was honored to witness that first-hand."  

The episode comes at a unique time for Kendall-Jackson, and an emotional one for Tigner. The Santa Rosa-based winery's founder, industry visionary Jess Stonestreet Jackson, passed away last April, leaving an important legacy — and a successful company — behind. "This company was built on Jess Jackson's passionate commitment to quality," said Tigner. "It was important for me to make sure we are continuing the work Jess started by building on the family legacy of quality, taste and unparalleled winemaking." 

Jackson was a monumental figure in the wine industry and helped to popularize Chardonnay for Americans, turning his company, Jackson Family Wines, into one of the world's most successful family-owned and operated winemakers. The Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay remains America's favorite Chardonnay today, more than 20 years in a row. Chairman and proprietor Barbara Banke, along with her and Jackson's children Katie, Julia and Christopher, were also present for filming.

"This was the perfect opportunity for our new president to go undercover and check in on our founding principles of quality vineyards, family and hard work," said Banke.

Kendall-Jackson is a Sonoma County-based family owned and operated winery that is best-known for its estate-grown Chardonnay. To learn more, visit kj.com.

SOURCE Kendall-Jackson Winery