Judy Jordan
the Story of J Vineyards
In the modern history of California wine, few entrepreneurs have shaped the Russian River Valley as profoundly as Judy Jordan, the founder of J Vineyards & Winery. When Jordan launched the winery in 1986 at just twenty-five years old, she stepped into an industry that was still overwhelmingly male-dominated. Armed with a geology degree from Stanford University and a fascination with terroir, Jordan set out to build a winery dedicated to world-class sparkling wine in Sonoma County’s cool-climate Russian River Valley.
Jordan grew up immersed in wine culture. Her parents had founded Jordan Vineyard & Winery, and the world of vineyards and fermentation was part of her upbringing. Yet instead of joining the family winery, she decided to create her own path. She identified the Russian River Valley as an ideal site for producing traditional-method sparkling wines, thanks to its cool temperatures, morning fog, and diverse soils. From the beginning, J Vineyards focused on sparkling wines made in the classic méthode champenoise style, helping establish Sonoma County as a serious American region for high-quality sparkling wine.
Over time, Jordan expanded the winery’s portfolio beyond sparkling wine to include still wines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris sourced from estate vineyards across the Russian River Valley. Under her leadership, J Vineyards developed a reputation for pairing thoughtful winemaking with hospitality—introducing innovative tasting experiences and food-and-wine pairings that helped redefine the modern winery visit. By the early 2000s, the brand had become one of the most recognized producers in Sonoma County, known both for its bubbles and its cool-climate varietal wines.
After nearly three decades building the winery, Jordan sold J Vineyards to E. & J. Gallo Winery in 2015. The sale allowed the brand to expand globally while preserving its Russian River Valley identity. For Jordan, the transition opened the door to new ventures focused on mentorship, philanthropy, and sustainable agriculture. She later launched new wine projects and programs designed to support young women entering the wine and agricultural industries, reflecting her long-standing commitment to leadership and community within the wine world.
Today, Judy Jordan is widely recognized as one of the pioneering women of California wine. Through her vision for J Vineyards, she helped elevate the reputation of Russian River Valley sparkling wine and demonstrated that a new generation of winemakers, especially women, could shape the future of the industry. Her legacy remains embedded in Sonoma County’s wine culture, where J Vineyards continues to produce elegant sparkling and cool-climate wines inspired by the terroir that first captivated her nearly four decades ago.
Get two tickets before Sunday March 15th and get a $20 discount! 2 tickets for $50, normally $70! This deal automatically applies at checkout, not in the cart.
Join us for our annual Celebrating Women Winemaker’s Wine Tasting, celebrating Women’s Month in March!
We’ll be tasting a variety of wines from women winemakers, or wineries founded by women, or where they are at the helm.
Wine list still being determined.
With your ticket purchase, you will receive the presentation, taste portions of all the wines, appetizers, and a $10 credit towards any purchase of the wines tasted that evening, already at low, tasting-only prices.
This is a classroom-style tasting. It will start at 6pm with appetizers and a social course while we wait for everyone to arrive.
