A slew of truly memorable wine personalities has helped to shape our industry over the years. One of the most personable is master sommelier Michael “MJ” Jordan.
Certainly not the basketball superstar who shares the same name, Jordan is a guitar-playing, good-fun local boy (a Kalani High School graduate) who is a relentless, dedicated wine educator and is committed to making wine accessible, fun and enjoyable for all who will listen to his messages.
His nickname — “sommelier of the people” — is most apropos.
Jordan, a wine educator for the Jackson Family Wines group, is making several local appearances (see details below), sharing his vast knowledge, his big heart and his guitar playing and singing.
Having someone of his expertise come here is so important to the continual forward movement of our industry.
Jordan will be sharing some of his favorite wines from the considerable Jackson Family portfolio. This is a sizable wine group, as the late founder, Jess Jackson, spent considerable time and money buying up precious land and vineyards. Today we can say that was farsighted genius.
Piece by piece, wine by wine, Jackson assembled quite the portfolio.
For instance, Jackson Family’s local “wine guy,” regional sales manager Michael Hopkins, introduced me to the show-stopping, wild and woolly, old-vine, single- vineyard, 1994 Mendocino zinfandels of Edmeades, and winemaker Van Williamson.
The Edmeades zins made their way onto top wine lists throughout the state. Today a new Edmeades winemaker has taken over from Williamson, crafting wines that are no longer so wild and woolly but that still have the mojo and old-vine qualities that captured my heart.
Hopkins also introduced me to the old-vine Russian River zinfandels of what is now the Hartford Family Winery. (Don Hartford, one of the true gentlemen and “good guys” of the wine industry, worked hard to elevate his single- vineyard chardonnays and pinot noirs to the highest level of acclaim.)
Jackson’s wife, Barbara Banke, now heads the Jackson Family operation and has further pushed the business with vineyard acquisitions in California and Oregon; development of the much-anticipated, high-elevation Anderson Valley Champ de Reves pinot noir; and the acquisition of several top-line wineries, such as Brewer-Clifton, Copain Wines and Siduri in California, and Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in Oregon.
This doesn’t even get into all of the global wine projects this family also has kick-started.
As you can see, MJ has quite the lineup of wines to share at his events in Hawaii. Here is a toast to MJ, local boy done good, in thanks for all you do.
Have a happy new year, all!
JACKSON FAMILY WINES
With master sommelier Michael Jordan
>> Monday: Music and food event with winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery, Jan. 8, 6 p.m., HASR Wine Co., 31 N. Pauahi St. in Chinatown. Dishes by chef Norman Asao and wines from Jackson Family and Scherrer Wines. Cost is $100. Call 535-9463.
>> Jan. 10: Five-course wine-pairing dinner, 6 p.m. Bali Steak & Seafood in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, centered on an entree of osso bucco laulau (with Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon). Cost is $105. Call 343-3550; email nicole.hillberry@hilton.com.
>> Jan. 11: Five-course wine-pairing dinner celebrates Jordan’s 60th birthday, 6:30 p.m., Azure in the Royal Hawaiian hotel. Cost is $150. Call Micah Suderman, 931-7837.
>> Jan. 12: Maui Chef’s Table with winemaker Fred Scherrer of the Scherrer Winery, 6 p.m., Maui Tropical Plantation, features wines selected by Jordan and Scherrer paired with a nine-course menu by chef Jeff Scheer. Cost is $250. Call (808) 270-0333.
>> Note: Scherrer will also appear solo for a four-course dinner, 6 p.m. Friday at Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar, featuring Scherrer Winery selections paired with chef Keith Endo’s menu, centered on an entree of roast lamb shank (with Scherrer’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon). Cost is $85. Call 524-8466 or email ataketa@dkrestaurants.com.
Chuck Furuya is a master sommelier and a partner in the DK Restaurants group. Follow his blog at chuckfuruya.com.
