Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/68310
A Toast to Art To help celebrate its 40th anniversary, Jordan Vineyard & Winery created a coast-to-coast initiative to marry the distinct fl avors of four major American cities with the essence of Jordan wines and Sonoma wine country. And they did it with art. Partnering with Jon Newlon, VP/GM, American Wine & Spirits of California, with John Jordan. local art organizations, Jordan's 4 on 4 Art Competition sought out entries from artists in four metropolitan areas: Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and New York. The artists were encouraged to use their preferred medium to meld the essence of Jordan wines with the unique vibe of their own locale. In each city, judges Jim Stoodley, Area Sales Manager for SW&S of FL with Jordan Winemaker Rob Davis at Soho Beach House in Miami. and 2008 vintages are great examples of our house philosophy—balance, lower alcohol and an almost feminine or softer style of Cabernet that goes better with the delicate fl avors of a well-prepared meal. We are proud we don't win those 98 point Parker scores, because that's not who we want to be. We'd rather please chefs and consumers than please wine critics." Rob Davis, who has been the one and only winemaker for Jordan from the beginning, has developed a strong relationship with growers. "They are like our family, and the concept of husbandry exists: the use of resources and the management of the vineyards. Everyone helps one another. Even in Bordeaux, where the attention was towards equipment and technology, it is all coming back to the vineyard site. Soil has become our most important focus, creating diversity and character imparted in the wines." drawn from among local food and bever- age experts and art cognoscenti were asked to pick the top three winners at a public exhibition. THE TASTING PANEL's Managing Editor, David Gadd, served as a judge in Los Angeles. Attending art and wine patrons also selected a single People's Choice awardee in each location. The grand award winning artwork in each city will be transformed into a limited-edition lithograph for Jordan's loyal fan base in that market, while the original will be placed in John Jordan's art collection in Healdsburg. The winners in the New York edition of the competition will be announced in June. Jordan's Communications Director Lisa Mattson, THE TASTING PANEL's David Gadd and grand award winner Agne Jomantaite with the artist's winning cyanotype at the Los Angeles leg of the 4 on 4 Art Competition. Dallas grand award winner Todd Ford's untitled oil on canvas is a photorealistic piece showing Jordan wine being poured into a glass over the Dallas skyline. Rather than using stock photogra- phy, Ford took the photo himself. In Miami, judges selected artist and graphic designer Jeannette Aquino's Jordan Wine Goddess as the grand award winner. The paint- ing depicts a mermaid-like goddess rising from the sea to celebrate the joys of Jordan wine against the skyline of the city. june 2012 / the tasting panel / 7