With vines lining the winding driveway up to the grand chateau, ivy growing over the yellow exterior and bronze statues dotted around the gardens, initial impressions of Jordan Winery are somewhat striking. Deep in the heart of the Alexander Valley, Jordan Winery is well known for leading the way in Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons and a tasting here comes highly recommended whilst visiting the area.
Chateau Block Tasting at Jordan Winery
Arriving at Jordan Winery you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported over the pond to Europe. Taking inspiration from French architecture and some of their favourite wineries in Bordeaux, that’s exactly how Tom and Sally Jordan wanted guests to feel. Mirroring their way of producing wines that emphasize fruit and acidity in more of a European style, Jordan Winery was purpose built to emanate elegant French chateaux. The Jordan Winery chateau has become so iconic that it now features on all the Jordan wine labels!
Five different tasting experiences are available at Jordan Winery, all featuring a range of Jordan wines paired with food to enhance and deepen their flavours. Jordan Winery’s newest tasting, the Chateau Block Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Tasting, pairs four different vintages of the celebrated Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon with local charcuterie from Journeyman Meat Company in nearby Healdsburg.
The Chateau Block Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Tasting begins with a glass of crisp Jordan Chardonnay in the shade of the chateau before a brief peek into the inner workings of the winery including a glimpse of their ginormous original oak tanks. A short walk past their newly planted Chateau Block of vines leads you to a picture perfect spot for a picnic, under old oak trees overlooking the vineyard, and the location for this special tasting.
Tables are laid waiting with platters of charcuterie, baskets of bread and jars full of juicy olives and salted almonds. Take a seat and marvel at the views as your host explains the various goodies that await, and begins pouring your four different Cabernet Sauvignons.
Journeyman Meat Co produce a delicious range of fresh, smoked and cured meat that you’ll be able to taste during this experience. A couple of salumis are even made specially for Jordan, incorporating wine from their vineyards into the recipe.
With the four vintages, from 2006 to 2015, you’ll get the chance to explore the nuances that the growing conditions each year bring to the wines, the impact of time in bottle and, of course, their superb pairings. From the buttery white coppa with notes of tumeric, to the Salame Buio, with a hint of cocoa making the fruit flavours explode on your palate, and the incredibly rich parmesan and porcini, whose salty, earthy expressions pair wonderfully with the silky tannins each mouthful is delicious.
Key Information about Jordan Winery
What different wine tastings are available at Jordan Winery?
Aside from the Chateau Block Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Tasting discussed above, priced at US $75 per person, there are several other tastings on offer. The entry level Library Tasting (US $35 each) is a great introduction to Jordan wines offering a taste of their current release Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon along with one special library selection, paired with artisan cheeses and their estate grown olive oil. This can be extended to include a condensed tour of the winery and the chateau for an additional US $10 each.
For a more in depth tasting experience, the award winning Estate Tour & Tasting option (US $125 per guest) allows visitors to go behind the scenes exploring the vineyards, gardens, apiary and stunning viewpoints around Jordan Winery.
What’s the best way to get to Jordan Winery?
Nestled in the Alexander Valley, a renowned appellation in Sonoma County, Jordan Winery is best reached by either rental car or a driver. If you’re an avid wine drinker, and if you’re reading this that’s highly likely, then we’d suggest hiring a driver such as NSWTD so you can relax and enjoy what’s being poured.
The nearest regional airport (Sonoma County Airport) is a 20 min drive away, however for international connections fly into San Francisco and head about 2 hours north to hit Sonoma. If you’re planning to stay for a while and check out some of the other great wineries, check into the Farmhouse Inn for the ultimate wine country retreat.
Find Out More…
Jordan Winery – https://www.jordanwinery.com
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Many thanks to Jordan Winery for hosting us for a tasting experience during our time in Sonoma. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely our own, we wouldn’t recommend something if we didn’t love it!
