Jessica (Jess) Carroll found her way to winemaking after beginning a career in engineering. She earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland in 2007. While in school, Jess held several internships with engineering firms in California, Oregon, and Washington. A position as senior design engineer in Pleasanton, CA, with Mark Thomas and Company after graduating brought her into the heart of the Livermore wine industry.

It was in Livermore that Jess started on her career in the wine industry by undertaking a position as a hospitality and cellar assistant at Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, while continuing to work as an engineer. After six and one-half years with Mark Thomas and Company, she made a total commitment to the wine industry by earning a Certificate of Viticulture and Enology from Las Positas College and then joining Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars as cellar master. Jess was promoted to assistant winemaker in early 2017 and then to Winemaker & General Manager four years later.

She seized the opportunity to open her own winery in early 2023, JMC Cellars. There, she is crafting a number of red varietals, including Montepulciano, Peloursin, Sangiovese, and Petite Syrah among others. Her 2021 Reserve Syrah was awarded a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Outside of the winery, Jess enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling as often as possible—especially to wine regions she wants to visit and anywhere near an ocean—reading, and cooking. Jess is also an accomplished photographer.