February 27, 2011 | by Lisa Mattson

If you read the New York Times or any newspaper that publishes Associated Press reports, you’ve probably heard about an exciting new technology trend in restaurants: iPad wine lists. Digital wine list tablets are adding a dynamic twist to learning about wine in a restaurant setting. Sommeliers are also attracted to iPads because specific apps offer improved efficiency and effectiveness as a beverage program management tool.

Reuters recently reported about the digital wine list program at Chicago Cut Steakhouse, a progressive restaurant using iPads to engage its guests and bolster wine sales. We were thrilled to partner with Chicago Cut to produce the first-ever custom winemaker video for an iPad wine list. Our winemaker’s video for Jordan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (above) included tasting notes and food pairings. You can view a web-version of Chicago Cut’s iPad wine list here.

The complete press release is included below.

[Update: 5/1/2013 ~ John Jordan is so passionate about tablet technology and the hospitality industry that he founded a company to develop tablet wine list software. His Tastevin iPad wine list app was launched in 2011.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jordan Vineyard & Winery launches tasting videos for restaurant iPad wine lists, smart phones

First custom winemaker video for digital wine list debuts at Chicago Cut Steakhouse

HEALDSBURG, Calif. (March 1, 2011) – Jordan Vineyard & Winery announces the launch of its winemaker tasting note video series, created for iPad wine lists, as well as smart phones. This innovative program includes ready-made videos of winemaker Rob Davis providing taste profiles for specific wines, as well as custom video production for key accounts utilizing digital wine lists. Chicago Cut Steakhouse was the first restaurant to premiere a video on its iPad wine lists in February, which features the winemaker discussing 2006 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and signature Chicago Cut dishes.

The first family wine estate to create an in-house department for high-definition web video production, Jordan Vineyard & Winery began integrating video into all aspects of its sales and marketing beginning in early 2010. As more restaurants adopt iPads as tools to help sommeliers further enhance the guest experience, the iconic winery—known for its food-friendly wines and consistently high rankings in the respected Wine & Spirits Restaurant Poll—has expanded its videography services to key restaurateurs and retailers.

Jordan’s ready-made digital wine list videos are two-minute vignettes where the winemaker briefly describes the style and taste profile of the wine, as well as cellar life span and suggested food pairings. Videos for Cabernet Sauvignon vintages 2006-1999 can be viewed on the winery’s YouTube From the Cellar playlist, iTunes podcast and the Journey of Jordan blog. Its custom videos of similar length include subtitles due to restaurant noise levels and suggest specific restaurant dishes that would pair with Jordan Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.

“We’re excited about the video tools Jordan is developing for its restaurant partners as we are constantly trying to offer our customers the most cutting-edge service available,” said David Flom, proprietor of the recently opened Chicago Cut Steakhouse, which has set out to redefine the American steakhouse and is an early adopter of iPad wine lists. “We look forward to sharing the experience of Jordan Winery with our guests.”

The winery’s video blog, The Journey of Jordan, premiered in February 2010 and was named 2010 Winery Blog of the Year by award-winning industry blog, GoodGrape.com. Jordan’s videography team has developed custom videos for distributor presentations, customer staff trainings, the American Wine Bloggers Conference, winery e-commerce and email newsletters. Online retailers, such as Wine.com, are also utilizing Jordan videos to enhance their point-of-purchase web pages.

“For centuries, the romance of wine has revolved around the people, places and circumstances of its making,” said John Jordan, chief executive officer and second-generation vintner. “Modern technology enables us to bring our wines alive by sharing our passion and stories in a vivid and unfiltered way.”

Retailers or restaurateurs seeking additional information may email trade@jordanwinery.com. Media inquiries can be directed to Lisa Mattson, Communications Director.

About Jordan Vineyard & Winery: Since 1976, the Jordan family has been renowned for its elegant wines, culinary excellence and gracious hospitality. Jordan Vineyard & Winery lies tucked into the hills of Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, where the iconic Jordan chateau overlooks 1,400 acres of rolling hills and vineyards with three quarters of the land dedicated to natural habitat. Today, second-generation vintner John Jordan continues to build upon the legacy of his parents, preserving the timeless winemaking qualities of balance, finesse and food affinity. https://www.jordanwinery.com/

###