Though born in Kentucky, Jarod didn’t fall in love with the grape juice inside oak barrels until he moved to Oregon and attended culinary school as an aspiring chef. Learning about food—its sources, techniques, and surprises—led him first to Oregon wine country as a harvest intern, and then to Oregon State University for his bachelor's degree in viticulture and enology. Following winemaking stints at Willamette Valley's Cana’s Feast, Archery Summit, and Argyle, Jarod joined ROCO Winery in 2017 as Assistant Winemaker where he continues to pursue his passion for crafting world-class sparkling wine.
When he's not in the cellar, Jarod uses his culinary skills to develop food pairings and menus for wine club events and winery dinners.