April 13, 2012 | by Lisa Mattson

Congratulations to the winners of our Jordan in 40 Words essay contest:

Grand Prize ~
Patricia Nelson of Colorado for “Jordan wines: a family tradition and namesake”
Essay: In 1986 we named our first son after this great wine!  We bought a 1986 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and saved it until his 21st birthday. That bottle moved and traveled with us many miles and was thoroughly enjoyed that day!

First Runner Up ~
Marshall Tilden III of New York for “My Epiphany Wine: The 1996 Jordan Cabernet”
Essay: Since my early teens, my father exposed me to the culture of wine. While I always enjoyed wine, it was not until I tasted the 1996 Jordan Cabernet that wine became part of my soul…truly a life changing event.

Second Runner Up ~
Carrie Jackson of Texas for “Reason to Celebrate”
Essay: Jordan is part of my life’s celebrations. Jordan was there the night my husband asked me to marry him as well as at our wedding.  I look forward to cellaring a 2010 vintage to commemorate the birth of my daughter.

Third Runner Up ~
Jordan Catapano of Wisconsin for “Toasting Togetherness”
Essay: My in-laws sold their home of 27 years to be near their grown children and growing grandchildren. The realtor’s closing gift was a Jordan Cabernet. To celebrate the move, our family all dined together, toasting kin, togetherness, and every generation’s bright future.

Each will receive a prize as noted in the original contest announcement:

GRAND AWARD ~ (1) Excalibur 3900 Deluxe Food Dehydrator
FIRST RUNNER-UP ~ (1) Jordan-engraved Riedel crystal decanter
SECOND RUNNER-UP ~ (1) Black Jordan-embroidered designer fleece jacket
THIRD RUNNER-UP ~ (1) Rosle Cheese Knife

Congratulations again to all our winners and a big thanks to everyone who submitted an essay. Stay tuned for news about our next online contest this summer.