Jordan Winery in Sonoma County recently hosted an elegant dinner under the stars as part of a fundraiser for Smile Train. Joining the intimate crowd of 40 diners was celebrity guest Jordin Sparks, acclaimed singer-songwriter and American Idol winner, who believes strongly in the mission of Smile Train to provide cleft-palate surgery to children around the world.
It’s a pleasure to be here in this stunning estate, and I’m grateful to be here to support Smile Train,” said Jordin Sparks. “It’s not often that we think about our own smiles,…. and we take for granted how much a smile really matters. So to give children this life changing, and sometimes lifesaving procedure, is really incredible. You can sleep tonight knowing that you made a difference to a child somewhere in the world.”
Troy Reinhart, Smile Train’s SVP of Community and Ambassador Development, also attended the event. He has been with Smile Train for more than 20 years, and has traveled all over the world to visit children who need cleft palate surgeries.
“You may not know that it takes only a $250 donation to provide one child with a life-changing cleft lip surgery,” Troy told the attendees.
The evening was hosted by John Jordan, CEO and owner of Jordan Winery. He welcomed each guest in the chateau-style gardens of Jordan Winery with glasses of Jordan Cuvee by Champagne AR Lenoble, and later explained that 100% of proceeds for the $500 per person dinner and silent auction lots would go directly to Smile Train, courtesy of The John Jordan Foundation.
5-Course Gourmet Dinner at Jordan Winery
Guests were treated to an elegant five-course dinner curated by Jordan’s Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren, served on the alfresco Jordan Terrace. Multiple vintages of Jordan Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were served as the sun set slowly over the Sonoma coastal mountains, leaving magnificent streaks of peach, pink and ochre painting the sky.
Highlights of the meal included Caviar by Tsar Nicoulai with Crème Fraiche, Dungeness Crab Salad, Liberty Farm Duck Confit, and Roasted Wagyu Beef, along with an assort of seasonal desserts.
During the dinner, I was honored to be seated next to Jordin and her husband. Over the course of the evening, I found Jordin to be just as beautiful a person on the inside as the out. She was kind, funny, and inspiring – sharing her story about preparing for and winning American Idol in 2007, as well as raising her 5-year old son in L.A.
We also discovered that Jordin is vegan, and we were very impressed at how well Executive Chef Jesse Mallgren modified Jordin’s 5-course meal to match ours. Her plates were just as artistically presented, including the same spices, but substituting plant-based ingredients – many from Jordan Winery’s organic garden. For example, the piece of tofu she received in place of our Wagyu steak, was shaped in the same manner as our steak and had the same delicious spices to pair with the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.
“I must admit that this dinner is the first time I’ve drank a full glass of still wine, and it’s delicious,” Jordin admitted. She says that when she drinks alcohol, it is mainly sweet sparkling wine or cocktails. “This is also my first time to visit a winery…..and it’s great that it has the same name as me,” she grinned.
Jordan Winery Unveils Newly Design Chateau Lobby for Event
Another special aspect of the charity event was the unveiling of Jordan Winery’s new lobby, conceived bySan Francisco-based interior designer, Maria Khouri Haidamus. The custom wall panels are adorned in robin’s egg blue and distressed gold trim. Two magnificent Fisher Weisman chandeliers with 14-arm candelabras are centered over exquisite antique French furniture and precious artwork.
Handcrafted wood flooring creates a striking chevron pattern, and connects the space to the entry hall and retail shop beyond. There is a custom reception desk rendered in Ponte Vecchio-honed marble as an homage to the George V hotel in Paris. Above this is an Aubusson tapestry dating to the 17th century that depicts a wooded French countryside.
It certain makes an impression when first entering Jordan Winery’s impressive chateau, situated at the top of a hill in the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County.
NOTE: Gallery photos of Starlight Supper Photo Credit: SF Events