Historic Partnership Revives Jordan’s Late-Harvest Dessert Wine After Four Decades, Showcasing a Shared Passion for Quality, Sustainability and Culinary Artistry
Healdsburg, Calif. (May 5, 2025) – Jordan Vineyard & Winery, the esteemed Sonoma County producer of elegant, French-inspired chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, proudly unveils the 2022 Jordan Sauternes. Crafted in partnership with Château Guiraud, a renowned Premier Grand Cru Classé estate, in the heart of France’s legendary Sauternes region, this limited-edition late-harvest wine marks the return of Jordan’s dessert winemaking tradition honoring the 40th anniversary of Jordan’s Rivière Russe, introduced in 1982. A masterful blend of sauvignon blanc and sémillon, the 2022 Jordan Sauternes showcases a luxurious balance of richness, vibrancy and layered complexity. This collaboration is a testament to both wineries’ unwavering dedication to quality, culinary excellence, warm hospitality and the preservation of their biodiverse estates.
Credit: Kendall Busby
“We are proud to partner with our friends at Château Guiraud on the debut of the 2022 Jordan Sauternes, marking a momentous return of our late-harvest wine after four decades,” said John Jordan, second-generation owner and proprietor ofJordan Vineyard & Winery. “This collaboration unites Jordan’s reverence for French winemaking traditions with our unwavering commitment to excellence. Château Guiraud’s dedication to sustainability, balanced winemaking and culinary hospitality aligns seamlessly with our values. We are delighted to share this extraordinary wine with our guests, offering both a taste of our heritage and a glimpse into our continued pursuit of innovation.”
Maggie Kruse, Jordan’s head winemaker, shared, “At Jordan, we are devoted to crafting wines of elegance and balance – qualities that define our winemaking style. The 2022 Jordan Sauternes embodies this philosophy, offering a seamless interplay of ripe fruit, subtle sweetness and an evolving complexity that captivates with each sip. What inspires me most about this wine is its perfect harmony, a result of our collaboration with Château Guiraud and our shared dedication to excellence. At Jordan, we believe great wines should not only elevate the palate but also enrich the experiences they accompany, and this release continues our tradition of creating wines that are as unforgettable as the moments they help create.”
For more than 50 years, Jordan has embraced the traditions of France’s esteemed château estates and winemaking techniques. Winery founders, Tom and Sally Jordan, were particularly captivated by the legendary Sauternes of Château d’Yquem. In 1979, they entrusted Jordan’s founding winemaker, Rob Davis, with the ambitious task of crafting a late-harvest wine, which they named Rivière Russe, a tribute to the Russian River that winds around the south and east border of the Jordan Estate. Hoping that the fog-laden climate, reminiscent of Bordeaux’s renowned terroir could replicate the misty conditions of Sauternes–where the Garonne River meets the Ciron – Davis believed it could foster the noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) essential for Sauternes-style winemaking. His pursuit of perfection led him to Château d’Yquem in 1981, where he deepened in expertise in the intricate craft of late-harvest winemaking. Despite his dedication, nature proved unpredictable, and Jordan’s Rivière Russe only saw three vintages – 1982, 1983 and 1985 – before production ceased due to the challenges of cultivating botrytized grapes. Now, more than 40 years later, Jordan proudly revives its late-harvest tradition in collaboration with Château Guiraud, offering a refined expression of the past by making a great wine of noble rot.
Guided by the expertise of Château Guiraud’s esteemed winemaker, Sandrine Garbay, who brings a wealth of knowledge from Château d’Yquem, the 2022 Jordan Sauternes is a testament to precision, artistry and heritage. Further, both wineries are led by female winemakers showcasing the expertise and leadership of women in the world of fine wine. The Jordan Sauternes’ exquisite blend of 65% sémillon and 35% sauvignon blanc is meticulously hand-harvested in successive passes to ensure the purity and harmony of flavors—an approach that mirrors Jordan Chardonnay’s dedication to hand-harvesting. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, the wine unfolds in a symphony of exotic fruit, delicate floral notes and a beautifully balanced mouthfeel. Honoring its prestige and heritage, the Jordan Sauternes features a refined, custom label that pays tribute to the original packaging of Jordan’s Rivière Russe. Its radiant golden hue is beautifully accentuated by the luxurious gold foil that adorns the 35mL bottle, reflecting the elegance within. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru under the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification, this exceptional vintage pays homage to the time-honored techniques of Sauternes winemaking while celebrating a new chapter in Jordan’s legacy.
“We are truly honored to partner with the iconic Jordan Vineyard & Winery as we continue to expand our legacy as a premier Sauternes producer,” said Matthieu Gufflet, Proprietor of Château Guiraud. “Together, we have crafted a modern expression of Sauternes that strikes the perfect balance of richness and elegance, while paying homage to the storied history and distinctive terroir of our estate. This collaboration is more than a meeting of winemaking traditions; it is a celebration of the shared values that define both of our wineries on opposite sides of the world.”
The partnership between Jordan and Château Guiraud not only marks the long-awaited return of Jordan’s late-harvest wine but also underscores the alignment of both estates’ core values – sustainable farming, balanced winemaking and a dedication to culinary hospitality. Nestledin France’s Sauternes appellation, Château Guiraud spans more than 128 hectares of organically farmed vineyards and proudly stands as the first Sauternes Grand Cru Classé Sauternes with an organic farming certification in 2011. Much like Jordan’s bountiful 1,200-acre estate, biodiversity is central to Guiraud’s philosophy, with more than 650 insect species thriving in harmony among the grapevines. Both wineries champion a farm-to-table approach, weaving sustainability into their culinary programs – Jordan’s Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren curates seasonal dishes from the estate’s sustainable winery garden and farm, while Château Guiraud showcases its own organic vegetable gardens at its acclaimed restaurants, La Chapelle de Guiraud and Le Cercle Guiraud.
The 2022 Jordan Sauternes ($49/375mL) makes its public debut today, May 5, 2025, and is available to purchase onsite at the Jordan Estate and online at https://www.jordanwinery.com/product/2022-jordan-sauternes. Shipping is available only to residents in California, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia. For a limited time, it will also be served at select winery dinners and culinary events, in addition to several tasting experiences such as the Winery Tour & Tasting and Chef’s Terrace Tasting. Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren and Winemaker Maggie Kruse look forward to crafting bespoke food pairings with the Jordan Sauternes, providing a refined finale to the winery experience after savoring the Jordan Chardonnay and Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.
About Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Jordan Vineyard & Winery pays homage to the great wine estates of France and the timeless connection between food, wine and hospitality. Under the guidance of second-generation proprietor John Jordan, Jordan Estate is an extension of these traditions, with its iconic chateau, breathtaking views, sustainably farmed vineyards, natural habitat for wildlife and gardens for the chef’s inventive cuisine, offering a distinctive sense of place in Sonoma County wine country. A significant portion of the winery’s revenue funds the John Jordan Foundation, which works to provide at-risk youth and young adults with the tools needed to succeed educationally and professionally. Follow along at @jordanwinery on Instagram and @jordanwineryofficial on TikTok.
About Château Guiraud
Built on a soil of gravel, sand and clay, surrounded by forests in the heart of the Sauternes wine region and spanning a total area of 128 hectares: Château Guiraud’s unusual topography has always fostered a unique sense of freedom, right from the very start. Acquired in 1766 by the Guiraud family, who were Protestant and republican merchants in a Catholic, pro-royalty stronghold, the château has always boasted a distinctive presence, with its classic black and gold label, its pioneering commitment to biodiversity and its predilection for sauvignon blanc grapes. Having been awarded the Terres de Natures label in 2022 and under the leadership of Sandrine Garbay, a modest woman who is renowned for her incredible expertise, Château Guiraud produces a refreshing and contemporary Sauternes with perfectly balanced sweetness. Sauternes by Guiraud, a pioneering signature in shades of white and gold.
Follow along at @chateauguiraud on Instagram and @chateau.guiraud on TikTok.