About Us

The Soul of the Small Lot: The J Moss Story

J. Moss Wines is a boutique family-owned winery established in 2001 by James Moss and Janet Moss.

From a Spark to a Legacy

The story of J Moss did not begin in a corporate boardroom. It started when James Moss was a young professional working in wine distribution in Texas, inspired by his first introduction to the Napa Valley. The true spark ignited in 1998. Driven by curiosity, James and Janet stepped into their garage to craft their very first barrel of wine together. In that moment, a shared vision emerged: to create an exceptional wine they could share with the people they loved. Taking a bold leap of faith, they chose to share that wine at their own wedding with family and friends it proved a powerful truth—that with enough heart and dedication, a dream can truly be bottled.

Forged in the Cellar
Dreams are beautiful, but they are also demanding. While Janet Moss was earning her winemaking degree and mastering the business of the valley, James was spending his nights and weekends in the cellar. He was a student of the greats—mentored by legends like Mark Jessup and Gustavo Brambila—learning that a world-class Cabernet isn’t just “made”; it is built, layer by layer, with an obsession for detail that borders on the sacred.

A Promise in Every Pour
In 2010, that decade of sacrifice culminated in the opening of their boutique brick-and-mortar winery and tasting room in Napa’s artisan Crusher District in South Napa. Just celebrating 25 years of making award winning wines, J Moss remains a true family labor of love. When you hold a bottle of J Moss, you are holding James’s and Janet’s personal “thumbprint.” They still hand-select every vineyard block and watch over every barrel.

Why J Moss?
People call it “cult wine,” but to us, it is simply our life’s work. It is the story of a young Black winemaker who moved across the country to build a legacy from the soil up. Janet’s precision meets James’s passion, creating an exceptional wine that is complex and age-worthy for the connoisseur, yet remarkably balanced for a Tuesday night at home. Every bottle is a promise. Every sip is an invitation into our family’s dream. We invite you to experience the hard work, the heritage, and the authentic heart of Napa Valley.We look forward to welcoming you to share our dream on your next trip to Napa. Cheers.