Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014 - 13

Tom and Sally Jordan's tenure and one produced after John took over
in 2005. Both wines allow guests to see how Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
has evolved while staying true to the original house style emphasizing
balance and elegance.

vista POint
After a short drive that climbs along winding dirt roads to
the highest spot in the estate, the Sprinter arrives at the tour's
final destination: Vista Point.
Guests walk up to the open-air pavilion, marveling at the
panoramic views. At 650-feet elevation, this rocky knoll spills
into lush, rolling hills that seem to cascade into oblivion-
never-ending vistas that have prompted guidebook writers
to describe the view as "the best in Alexander Valley." They
are the hills that define Jordan Estate. To the north, the entire
Alexander Valley lays out like a patchwork quilt in varying
shades of green. To the east, Mount St. Helena rises into the
clouds. To the south, the Russian River winds around Fitch
Mountain and the busy town of Healdsburg. And to the west,
toward the Pacific, the hills of the Russian River and Dry
Creek valleys extend into the horizon.
Inside the pavilion, guests are seated at a copper table, handcrafted for the culmination of the Estate Tour & Tasting
experience: a tasting of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignons paired
with more fresh delicacies from Chef Knoll.
The wine selections make for an intriguing tasting: Two
different vintages from different periods in the property's
history-a Cabernet Sauvignon from the library made during

While enjoying the wines, guests sample the tour's final morsels
from a bento box: fresh fruit from the Jordan garden, more Jordan
Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Sonoma County and European
artisanal cheeses, as well as a small, iron cocotte cradling miso-glazed
Sonoma beef with local mushrooms and braised endive. The beef
dish also draws inspiration from the Jordan garden, with vegetables
changing seasonally.
The host invites the group to linger at Vista Point for a while to sip
the silky reds and snap photos of the magnificent view. On many days,
red-tailed hawks can be spotted surfing wind currents down in the
rolling hills of vineyards below. It is a very special corner of Sonoma
County in which to enjoy wine country's outdoor lifestyle.
There are a number of special visitor experiences at California wineries,
but none are as intimate and memorable. The Estate Tour & Tasting is
truly a journey for all senses.
Jordan's Estate Tour & Tasting is available Thursdays through
Mondays, mid-April through mid-November. The price is $120
per person, or Jordan Estate Rewards members may redeem
at 7,500 points for two. Learn more at jordanwinery.com/visit.

Matt Villano is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in TIME, The New York Times,
The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, Expedia.com and more. He resides in
Healdsburg, California.

http://www.jordanwinery.com/rewards/reward_levels/explore http://www.jordanwinery.com/visit http://www.Expedia.com

Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014