French-American Winery Collaboration Taps Into Dessert Wine Market

Forbes

05-05-2025

In a strategic transatlantic partnership announced this week, Sonoma County's Jordan Vineyard & Winery and France's Château Guiraud have unveiled the 2022 Jordan Sauternes, marking Jordan's return to dessert wine production after a 40-year hiatus.
The new release revives Jordan's dessert wine tradition that briefly existed in the early 1980s. The original late-harvest wine, called Rivière Russe, saw only three vintages—1982, 1983 and 1985—before production ceased due to viticultural challenges in California.
"We are proud to partner with our friends at Château Guiraud on the debut of the 2022 Jordan Sauternes, marking a momentous return of our late-harvest wine after four decades," said John Jordan, second-generation owner and proprietor of Jordan Vineyard & Winery, in a press statement.
The Jordan estate features an iconic château, sustainably farmed vineyards, thriving wildlife habitats and gardens that inspire Chef Jesse Mallgren's cuisine. Rather than attempting to recreate Sauternes-style wine in California, Jordan has taken the unusual approach of directly collaborating with a Premier Cru Classé estate from the French region itself.
Jordan's Winemaker Maggie Kruse
Jordan's head winemaker Maggie Kruse worked alongside Château Guiraud's winemaker Sandrine Garbay, who brings experience from the legendary Château d'Yquem. Kruse says the Jordan team is committed to crafting wines of elegance and balance.
'The 2022 Jordan Sauternes embodies this philosophy, offering a seamless interplay of ripe fruit, subtle sweetness and an evolving complexity that captivates with each sip,' she says. Kruse says she's inspired by the 'perfect harmony' of a shared goal of excellence.
'At Jordan, we believe great wines should not only elevate the palate but also enrich the experiences they accompany,' says Kruse. She added that this release continues a tradition of 'creating wines that are as unforgettable as the moments they help create.'
The timing appears favorable for premium dessert wines. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the dessert wine segment specifically is projected to grow to $15 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.5%. This growth challenges previous assumptions about sweet wine's market position.
2022 Jordan Sauternes
While general industry perception suggested declining interest in sweet wines over the past decade, current data reveals a level of shifting consumer preferences, especially among younger demographics who increasingly favor unique flavor options.
Jordan's established direct-to-consumer (DtC) channels may capitalize on this trend. The winery reports that their tasting experiences and food pairing programs have successfully introduced guests to unexpected wine styles in the past. Jordan has even been mentioned by Wine Searcher as a stand-out property for direct-to-consumer sales success in a range of channels, from visits to the winery to buying online.
Environmental practices formed another connection point between the two producers. Château Guiraud became the first Sauternes Grand Cru Classé to receive organic certification in 2011. Their 128-hectare estate hosts more than 650 insect species among the vines—a biodiversity approach mirrored at Jordan's 1,200-acre property.
Château Guiraud's Winemaker Sandrine Garbay
Matthieu Gufflet, proprietor of Château Guiraud, highlights these shared values: "This collaboration is more than a meeting of winemaking traditions; it is a celebration of the shared values that define both of our wineries on opposite sides of the world."
Organic since 2011, Château Guiraud has championed biodiversity since 1996. The property features an ecosystem-focused approach, including hedgerows attracting wildlife, cover crops and 145 Sémillon and Sauvignon clones, according to the team.
Priced at $49 for a 375ml bottle, the Jordan Sauternes positions itself in the premium segment while remaining more accessible than many classified Sauternes from France, which typically retail between $75–200 per half-bottle. The 2022 vintage, crafted using traditional Sauternes methods, blends 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc.
Hand-harvested in successive passes and aged 18 months in oak, the bottle is crafted using methods traditional to Premier Grand Cru Sauternes under the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
'We are truly honored to partner with the iconic Jordan Vineyard & Winery as we continue to expand our legacy as a premier Sauternes producer,' notes Gufflet of this collaborative dessert wine. 'Together, we have crafted a modern expression of Sauternes that strikes the perfect balance of richness and elegance, while paying homage to the storied history and distinctive terroir of our estate.'
The release is available May 1, 2025, at $49 per 375ml bottle exclusively through Jordan Estate and online at jordanwinery.com, with shipping limited to California, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.