June 5, 2014 | by Lisa Mattson

A few weeks ago, we received an email from Wish of a Lifetime, a non-profit organization that grants lifelong wishes to seniors who have overcome tremendous challenges in their own lives.

A gentleman named James Woods wished for a private tasting at Jordan, and we had a chance to help make his dream come true.

Mr. Woods has a special story.

He is a 91-year-old World War II veteran who proudly served in the army for three years as a paratrooper. After returning from the war, he ran an art league in Elkhart, Indiana, where he brought together painters from across the country to paint portraits throughout the city.

His love for wine first began in 1949 when he visited Napa Valley with his wife. Mr. Woods has had recent health complications that have caused him to go blind, so he is unable to paint and do many of the things he used to love. However, wine tasting continues to provide him with an unmatched sensory experience that he truly enjoys. He is always reminiscing about all of the wonderful wines that he has tasted in his life, and it was his Wish of a Lifetime to go back to where his passion originated.

The email request from Mr. Wood’s wish coordinator circulated around the entire winery.  Needless to say, there were lots of teary eyes and much debate over who would get to lead his tasting that day. (Guest Services Associate Linda Doyle won out.)

Mr. Woods, his daughter Bobbie, and his caregiver, Jordan, visited us last week.

We were honored to host them and to make his wish a reality.