About Jacob Kovacs

Jacob Kovacs is known as the winery’s “mountain man,” in part due to his appearance, but also for his dedication to the day-to-day operation of his family’s Szalay Winery, located in Carmel Valley, Calif., atop a twisting grade 16 miles from the Big Sur coast. Weeks have gone by without his stepping off the property. Jacob works tirelessly tending to the vines at Szalay. He is also a true student of the game, making it his responsibility to read about and test new processes throughout the winemaking process. Jacob was an All-American soccer player at De Anza College in San Jose. His pledge is to vigorously work to improve the Kovacs Brothers brand so long as he can grow enough vegetables to survive.