Hollywood Zombies, Space Aliens, And Egyptian Mummies Gather At Jordan Winery Halloween Party Through The Years

Though many businesses offer top sales professionals exciting excursions and experiences as a reward for their dedication and performance, one of the most unique events has to be the annual Halloween Party at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County, California. Each summer, wine distributors, retailers, and sommeliers watch their mail for one of the coveted and highly unusual invitations. This year it arrived as a golden Oscar with an invitation to done a costume for the ‘Dead Hollywood’ themed party; last year it was a mini-ceiling light projector that had to be turned on to discover an invite to ‘Alien Invasion’; and another year it was a mummy that had to be unwrapped to discover the ‘Denial on the Nile’ party summons.

“Halloween has always been my favorite holiday,” states John Jordan, CEO of Jordan Winery, “and I wanted to find a way to bring Halloween to the winery in an impactful way. Our first Halloween event was in 2009 and was themed ‘Casablanca.’ Since then, it’s become our signature way of thanking our restaurant and wholesaler partners.”

Other themes for the Halloween costume party over the years have included: Glampire, True Grit, Licensed to Thrill, Animale, Star Wars, and Sunken Treasure.

“Our themes offer different experiences each year that add to the anticipation each summer when invitations are sent out,” continues Jordan. “As a smaller company we focus on only four things: Cabernet, Chardonnay Hospitality and… Halloween. We pride ourselves on our innovative, targeted and authentic go-to market strategies.”

Employees at Jordan Winery also look forward to the annual Halloween Bash, and enjoy getting involved in the planning. “The parties are John’s brain child,” reports Lisa Mattson, Creative Director at Jordan Winery. “Halloween is his favorite holiday and crush is his favorite time of the year. We take great pride in throwing the ultimate end-of-harvest party, which draws customers from all over the country.” Over the years, Mattson and staff have produced video invitations portraying the Halloween theme (see video link below).

This year’s theme was Dead Hollywood, and participants were invited to dress in costumes reflecting one of their favorite deceased Hollywood actors. There were many Marilyn Monroe’s, Lucille Ball’s and Audrey Hepburn’s, along with Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart. Some dressed in the role of a famous actor, such as Scarlett O’Hara or the Wizard of Oz gang.

Guests were shuttled to the chateau-like winery in private vans, and greeted with a red carpet, a bevy of photographers, and a glass of Jordan Cuvee – a special Champagne imported from France and made especially for Jordan by AR
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Next they entered the barrel and tank cellar of Jordan Winery where the party is held each year. Platters of caviar, lobster rolls, freshly shucked oysters, scallops, beef short ribs, pork tacos, finger sandwiches and dessert were served, along with Jordan Winery Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in magnum. Creative cocktails, such as a green hued gin martini with absinthe and vodka, lemon, and cucumber spritzes were also served. Singing impersonators in the form of Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra also made appearances, and later guests were invited to dance in a larger cellar room with a DJ, who played tunes from a large platform surrounded by flickering faux candles.

“This is my first time to be invited to attend this event,” stated one sommelier from New Orleans. “It is such an honor. Everyone in the industry always talks about this Halloween event.”

Another wine retailer from Chicago admitted that he and his wife had attended the last three parties. However, there was a hiatus during the pandemic in 2020 when the event had to be cancelled. But in October of 2021 the Jordan Winery cellars were filled again with Halloween revelers.

Even though John Jordan does have a strong sense of fun and celebration during Halloween, he has a more serious and philanthropic side. As a Former Naval Intelligence Officer, Jordan speaks German and Russian, and is frequently invited to share his insights on international television networks. He also serves on the Board of Overseers at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, and has created the John Jordan Foundation, which assists disadvantaged youths. During the pandemic, the foundation also donated $150,000 to establish the Sonoma Family Meal Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund.

Jordan Winery also has a strong focus on environmental stewardship, holding multiple sustainability certifications. These include: Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery, Fish Friendly Farming, Ranch Friendly Farming and Bee Friendly Farming certified. The large estate, established in 1972 by Jordan’s parents, Tom and Sally Jordan, encompasses 1,300 acres of rolling hills and vineyards in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County, California.