California vineyards rely on winter rains to fill water reservoirs and replenish the underground water table. Reservoirs, such as lakes and ponds, are used for irrigation during dry summer months when the grapevines are growing, and…
Ripping is not a glamorous word, certainly not one to associate with enjoying a fine glass of wine in moderation. But our soils at Jordan Winery are getting ripped—vineyard by vineyard, block by block—over the next…
There is no mistaking it—bud break is that glorious moment that happens in the vineyard each spring as the vines wake up from their winter dormancy. All winter long, grapevines stood lifeless and bare, but as…
Winter is an important time of rejuvenation in wine country. All winter long, the vineyards sleep, recharging for the intense growing season that is soon to come. By November or December, the grapevines enter into their…
After a weekend of heavy rain, our nineteenth estate olive harvest began in Alexander Valley under blue skies on November 1—exactly two months after the start of grape crush. The week of sunny, warm days that…
Mother Nature has been good to us so far in 2016, delivering more than 21 inches of rain to date and an additional 4-plus inches are predicted by the end of this week. Currently, the 21 inches…
This month, it is with great sadness that we announce the retirement of a very special person, Rafael Robledo. Rafael started working for the Jordan family back in 1973, overseeing the estate properties, supervising crews and planting…
After a whirlwind, record-breaking harvest, the 2015 Jordan Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil is now resting in its tanks here in our cellars. In just 10 days, from November 3 to the 13th, our staff and…
The historic California drought has forced farmers to adapt and evolve like never before. At Jordan Estate, we are continuing to experiment with new technologies, such as Tule evapotranspiration emitters, that help us use less water without compromising…
From super soaker storms in December to a record rainfall of literally zero in January, vintage 2015 is already keeping us on our toes–and budbreak is still at least a month away (hopefully). Watch my latest video…
Pruning grapevines during their winter dormancy period remains the most expensive type of vineyard work we do each year. The practice is tedious and downright tiring with a lot of repetitive motion—it is both an art…
Brian Brett, a poet and farmer, once said, “Farming is a profession of hope.” For farmers who aren’t in control of their water sources, hope might be the only option in the recording-shattering California drought year…
