“It is a privilege to work with some of the most talented farmers and incredible fruit in the wine industry.” – Maggie Kruse, winemaker
The Jordans have been making their style of Cabernet Sauvignon without compromise, year after year, with a very high level of consistency, since 1976. This style of Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its silky, smooth, French nature–elegant, balanced, food-friendly.
“Choosing the right vineyard site is our key to consistency,” says Maggie Kruse, winemaker for Jordan Vineyards and Winery. “When we find a vineyard block that delivers rich fruit flavors and bright acidity at a lower sugar level, it’s almost guaranteed to make the final blend year after year. It is a privilege to work with some of the most talented farmers and incredible fruit in the wine industry.”
“It’s not tannic, not bold, not high alcohol,” says Lisa Mattson, the marketing director at Jordan Vineyard & Winery. “They have that emphasis on creating a wine of balance and also having been so focused on the versatility with food really helps us have so many loyal fans that love Jordan.”
For the Jordans, the journey to great wine began with travel and fine dining experiences in New York, San Francisco and especially in France, where they naturally fell in love with great food and, as a natural accompaniment, great wine. When they decided to make their own, they followed the French model. As Mattson says, “They didn’t want the wine to stand out. They didn’t want the big bold bottle on the table that said, ‘Look at me, Look at me.’ They wanted it to be seamless in the experience at the table.”
Jordan’s Cabernet grapes are picked sooner than some growers, who may leave them on the vine until the last possible minute. “We want to preserve that natural acidity, and we also want the grapes to have a little bit of those classic Cabernet notes that you don’t get when you let the grapes hang too long on the vine,” says Mattson. “For us, by taking a more reasonable sugar level, 24.5 or so, contributes to our Cabernet grapes having a little more of the savory, a little dryer, more classic Cabernet you don’t often get with a bolder style of Cabernet in California.”
Visiting Jordan is always an experience in food and wine. Jordan was one of the first wineries in Sonoma to have a commercial kitchen and they offer seated food-and-wine pairings instead of a tasting room, to further emphasize the relationship of their fine wine to food. It also offers an experience in the beauty of place. “We aren’t just a winery, we are a winery nestled in a 1,200-acre estate,” says Mattson. Nature is a big part of the Jordan experience. Guests can enjoy French bistro-style cuisine, sitting on the terrace having wine and lunch with French music playing. “For those interested in learning about bio-diversity and the land,” says Mattson. “Jordan offers nature hikes and an estate tour, where people get to eat and drink their way around the property.”
The tour culminates at Vista Point, about 650 feet elevation, where visitors can see three different wineries, the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. “That gives an even deeper sense of place, and what makes Sonoma County so special,” says Mattson. “Jordan really is more than a bottle of wine.”
