The year was 1972, and the same day John Jordan was born (in Denver, Colorado), his parents, Tom and Sally, signed the deed on their first Sonoma County vineyard property. At age seven, he moved with his family to the Healdsburg winery estate that bears the family name (he still resides on property).
John studied economics at Occidental College in Los Angeles (class of 1995), received an MBA from the University of San Francisco and a law degree from Empire College School of Law (both in 2002). After practicing law in Santa Rosa, John returned to the family business in 2005, when his father asked him to take the reins. Since becoming CEO, John has instituted numerous energy-efficiency and sustainable farming and winemaking enhancements. He also reinvented the hospitality program, based on his own European travels, to create a more welcoming and luxurious experience.
Do you have a big family?
It’s big in terms of generations if not size. Four generations of Jordans fly to Hawaii every year to celebrate Christmas: my grandmother, my parents, me, my sister and her children.
It’s big in terms of generations if not size. Four generations of Jordans fly to Hawaii every year to celebrate Christmas: my grandmother, my parents, me, my sister and her children.
What do you love to do outside of work?
Fly airplanes and fish on our lake.
Fly airplanes and fish on our lake.
Describe one of your happiest life moments.
I caught an 11-pound bass on our lake in 2006. I’ll remember that moment until I catch a 12 pounder.
I caught an 11-pound bass on our lake in 2006. I’ll remember that moment until I catch a 12 pounder.
What’s one thing most Americans don’t know about wine?
The enjoyment of wine is contextual and highly subjective. It’s like listening to a rock band or a symphony depending on your musical inclination: The combination of a number of different elements have to be well-executed for the experience to be complete. At Jordan, our passion for the pleasures of the table defines not only our house style of wine but who we are as an extended family.
The enjoyment of wine is contextual and highly subjective. It’s like listening to a rock band or a symphony depending on your musical inclination: The combination of a number of different elements have to be well-executed for the experience to be complete. At Jordan, our passion for the pleasures of the table defines not only our house style of wine but who we are as an extended family.
Would you describe yourself as more of a thinker or a feeler?
Thinker. I’m constantly analyzing things strategically, whether at work or at home.
Thinker. I’m constantly analyzing things strategically, whether at work or at home.
Of all the things you’ve done in your life, which makes you most proud?
Assembling the group of people I work with everyday. It’s taken almost six years, since I took over the family business, to assemble this talented group of people who make Jordan Winery what it is.
Assembling the group of people I work with everyday. It’s taken almost six years, since I took over the family business, to assemble this talented group of people who make Jordan Winery what it is.
What are your friendships based on?
People who will push back and challenge me.
People who will push back and challenge me.
What controversial topic do you love debating?
The proper role of government in society.
The proper role of government in society.
What do you miss most about your college days?
Feeling accomplished when, in fact, I’d done nothing.
Feeling accomplished when, in fact, I’d done nothing.
What habit in other people annoys you the most?
People who speak slowly and don’t get to the point.
People who speak slowly and don’t get to the point.
Name a favorite musical artist or song.
Anything by ZZ Top.
Anything by ZZ Top.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I do my reading online. RealClearPolitics.com is an interesting read each day.
I do my reading online. RealClearPolitics.com is an interesting read each day.
What’s the most important thing your mother taught you? Your father?
My mother taught me about gracious entertaining and hospitality. My dad taught me the virtue of fairness as an employer and business partner.
My mother taught me about gracious entertaining and hospitality. My dad taught me the virtue of fairness as an employer and business partner.
What’s one thing you’d really like to learn how to do?
I’d like to get my seaplane rating.
I’d like to get my seaplane rating.
What’s something you did growing up that your parents never found out about?
As a teenager, I’d lift wine from their wine cellar. All of the inventory sheets were done in pencil, which made my misdeeds nearly impossible to detect as long as I had a pencil—and, more important, an eraser.
As a teenager, I’d lift wine from their wine cellar. All of the inventory sheets were done in pencil, which made my misdeeds nearly impossible to detect as long as I had a pencil—and, more important, an eraser.
What animal are you most like?
A Labrador Retriever most of the time, but after fully caffeinated, I’m more like a Jack Russell.
A Labrador Retriever most of the time, but after fully caffeinated, I’m more like a Jack Russell.
