Meet the Winemaker - Jordan Jeffries

Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Jordan grew up on a golf course that was designed, developed and operated by his parents.  Not surprisingly, being raised on the course and playing an active role in the family-run business inspired a zeal for working with the land.  Determined to pursue a career that combined that passion with his interest in Chemistry, Jordan found himself drawn to viticulture.

Jordan’s first exposure to the wine industry was at age 17 working as an intern for a small winery outside of Eugene.  Taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible about all facets of the winemaking process, his experience solidified his interest in wine, ultimately taking him to UC Davis where he graduated with a degree in Viticulture and Enology.  

With his sights set on Napa, Jordan moved to the valley and secured his first harvest internship following graduation.  After a harvest spent abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Jordan returned to Napa where he continued to deepen his experience working under and alongside of some of the region’s most accomplished winemakers. 

In addition to being the Winemaker for Lúnasa, Jordan currently serves as the Director of Winemaking for Brasswood’s new custom crush facility located in Calistoga.

Our Story

Ciji and Jordan were introduced to one another by a longtime family friend and colleague, shortly after Ciji relocated to the Bay area from New York. Equally immersed in their respective careers and with seemingly little in common given their different professional backgrounds (with Ciji being an executive in the Financial Services industry and Jordan being a winemaker), neither expected anything to come from their introduction. To their surprise, their differences drew them together and ended up being their greatest asset in building a business together. As the story goes, the pair fell in love and were marred in 2018 on the Jeffries’ family golf course in Eugene, Oregon.

Winemaking Philosophy

We believe the role of the winemaker is to be a steward of the grapes and craft wines that showcase the varietal and terroir from which the grapes are grown. Essential to this belief is ensuring we source grapes of the highest quality. It all starts in the vineyard with sustainable farming practices, which are critical to the vitality and longevity of the land.

Background on Lúnasa

Lúnasa is an ancient celebration signifying the beginning of harvest, with traces back as early as the 15th century.  While not as popular or mainstream in today’s culture, historically Lúnasa was widely observed in Ireland and Scotland, typically taking place in the month of August. 

During Lúnasa, “harvest knots” crafted from wheat were commonly exchanged as a token of love and courtship. The harvest knot represented on our label, pictured below, is known as a “Double Heart - Farmer’s Knot”, which symbolizes a couple’s loving union and a farmer’s promise to return at the end of harvest.  Those familiar with the long hours and arduous demands of wine harvest (with winemakers virtually going unseen for months), can appreciate why this perfectly captures the sacrificial, yet rewarding nature of winemaking.

Fun fact: The tradition of wheat weaving is as old as the cultivation of wheat itself, with origins in some of civilization’s earliest agricultural practices. Present in cultures across the world from England to Japan, wheat weaving was commonly practiced as a way to bring good fortune to the following year’s harvest.