Jan Nix

A native Tennessean, Jan Nix began working at Stonehaus 29 years ago. It was August of ’93 when she applied for and secured a job working in the winery at the tasting bar. Originally she took the job as a part-time departure from the relative solitude of her full-time job of water plant operator for the City of Crossville. She was well suited for the tasting bar, enjoying the fast-paced days and customer interaction. One of the highlights of the bar days was when Fay would, in lull moments, conduct one of his ‘special’ tastings. For those unfamiliar with the name, Fay Wheeler was a driving force in the genesis of the Tennessee wine industry and he is a veritable font of oenological information.  He encouraged and fostered Jan’s already keen, interest in wine.  He introduced her to a global buffet of varietals and blends and regaled her with tales of his viticultural ‘adventures’ abroad.

Twelve years passed with Jan happily tending the tasting bar, giving tours and assisting on the bottling line.  She returned to school and received a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tennessee Tech.  The degree carries a dual emphasis in English and Plant and Soil Science.  She jokes that, after years of taking classes part-time, attending no fewer than three universities, and garnering a colorful and varied transcript, “They finally found a suitable area, in which to give me a degree.”

It was early spring of 2005 when everything changed.  Then winemaker, Helen Ledford, announced that she would be leaving at the end of the year.  The partners approached Jan with a brand new job opportunity.  She would train with Helen for the remainder of the year and then assume all wine-making duties with the dawn of 2006.  Trepidatious about the responsibility, but immensely flattered to be offered the chance, she accepted.  The next seven months she spent with Helen, learning the processes and particulars of the business of making wine.  She explains, “At its core, wine making is elementary, I mean after all, any juice left to its own devices will ferment.”  “But, she elaborates, “that is the beauty and the crux—maintaining the integrity of the juice , but also tending it, like you would any living thing, and guiding its transformation, it’s a delicate balance, really.  The finished product should be a reflection of its origin and the care instilled in it.”  She says, now, 17 years in, she enjoys the daily challenge of the job and considers herself very fortunate to have worked under the tutelage of Mr. Wheeler. “I work for and with the best people, I really feel like a member of the family!”

Aside from wine, Jan also has a passion for travel, the “pursuit of happiness for canines everywhere,” and the never ending chore that is yard work.