Winemaker Notes
Jordan Vineyard & Winery focuses on just three things: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and hospitality. John Jordan’s guiding philosophy is that every vintage, every meal, and every tasting should be better than the last. There is a relentless drive to constantly perfect the craft.
Jordan wines are made in a more European style that allows them to pair well with a broad range of foods. Winemaking decisions emphasize the wine’s fruit and acidity rather than alcohol and tannin, and achieving elegance and balance in the bottle drives all that Jordan does in the vineyards and cellar. More than three-quarters of the 1,200 acres that surround the Jordan Winery Chateau remain wild, open spaces that myriad animals and plants call home. Preserving natural habitat and conserving resources are two tenets in sustainability efforts. The winery runs almost entirely on solar energy, and the vineyards and winery are certified sustainable.
As one of California’s iconic producers of classic Cabernet Sauvignon, John Jordan believes that the success should be used for a greater good beyond the glass. Since 2012, a large portion of the profits from Jordan Winery fund The John Jordan Foundation, which works to fight the negative effects of poverty in communities through education and health services.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.