Dozens Flock to 'Giving Back at Jordan' Event

Nearly 200 Bay Area residents turned out at "Giving Back at Jordan" event earlier this month to celebrate three local charities: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, Meals on Wheels of San Francisco and Spark Program.

Close to $20,000 was raised at the Healdsburg winery's June 2 event between ticket sales, raffles and wine sales donations -- all of which will be divided between the non-profit beneficiaries.

“It’s not enough to do well as a business, you must also do good in your neighborhood,” said & Winery, during a poignant speech to guests at the event.

The three charities were chosen because their missions focus on causes near and dear to  Jordan’s heart: animal welfare, food programs for citizens in need and educational services for at-risk children.

The grand finale to a series of nationwide events celebrating the  Sonoma winery’s 40th anniversary in 2012, "Giving Back at Jordan" leveraged a special donation platform to allow event guests to select which charity they wanted their donation to benefit.

The platform was created through a partnership with San Francisco-based Causes, an online platform for collective action. Guests at the event made their donations via the Causes.com Jordan for Charity page. (Donors received one event ticket for every $75 donated.)

“Businesses do not exist in a vacuum," Jordan said. "Businesses are an integral part of our community, and as members of a community, we have an obligation to play an active role in improving the lives of our most vulnerable fellow citizens.

"In my view, this is what America is all about," Jordan said. "People voluntarily coming together to make our communities better places.”

Hosted on the hilltop terrace surrounding Jordan’s ivy-draped chateau, the sold-out afternoon event featured wine tasting stations pouring Jordan 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Chardonnay, a colorful Farmers Market theme decor and a live jazz trio.

Guests also sampled hors d’oeuvres by Jordan Executive Chef Todd Knoll, Hog Island oysters shucked on-site, caviar of Tsar Nicoulai, fresh breads by and more.

Muttville volunteers handled doggy daycare duties for guests’ four-legged friends.

The event also served as a subtle introduction to the John Jordan Foundation, the winery CEO’s first non-profit organization, which will be officially launched later this summer.

For more information about Jordan Vineyard & Winery’s 40th anniversary, please visit www.jordanwinery.com/40 or email info@jordanwinery.com.