A fourth generation native to Southern California, Jim grew up in the beach town of Carlsbad California. The son of Temecula pioneer winemaker Joe Hart, Jim is a 2nd generation winemaker. A graduate of California State University, San Marcos with a post grad certificate in winemaking from U.C. Davis, Jim has been the head winemaker at his families winery, Hart Winery in Temecula since 2008. In addition to Hart Winery, Jim is co-owner/winemaker of Volcan Mountain Winery in Julian, Ca. and teaches winemaking and viticulture at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, Ca.

Jim judges wine in numerious international wine competitions throughout the state of California as well as in Baja California. Jim has won best of class, best of show as well as numerous double golds, gold and silver medals for his wines at Hart Winery and Volcan Mountain Winery, as well for the wines he made while at Milagro Farm Winery in Ramona.