May 27, 2023 | by Kendall Busby

As we gear up for an incredible summer season at Jordan, we are pleased to announce the new face of Jordan’s culinary program: Jesse Mallgren as executive chef. Chef Mallgren plans to elevate the Jordan culinary and hospitality experience to new heights, bringing with him nearly 25 years of experience as the executive chef of Healdsburg’s acclaimed Madrona Manor (now The Madrona), 13 of which he was awarded a Michelin Star.

Aerial view of the Jordan gardens and apiary

In his new role, Chef Mallgren looks forward to showcasing the bounty of our 1,200-acre estate—from foraging local ingredients throughout the property, to harvesting from our onsite culinary garden and collecting fresh honey from the winery’s apiaries.

Salmon dish at formal table setting in the Jordan Dining Room

This summer, Chef Mallgren will make his debut at several of Jordan’s dynamic and culinary-focused events, such as the first-ever Parisian Pop-Up Dinner Series that will pay homage to our French-inspired roots, providing guests with an elevated multi-course and progressive dinner paired with various Jordan vintages. In addition to special events, Chef Mallgren will work closely with Jordan’s hospitality team led by Maribel Soto, Director of Estate Services & DTC who has been with Jordan since 2007 to revamp all winery experiences. The team has redesigned all culinary experiences including our Winery Tour & Tasting, the new Chef’s Terrace Tasting, the chateau suite’s in-room breakfast and the renowned three-hour Estate Tour & Tasting.

“As a longtime Sonoma County resident, I am particularly excited to continue working in my own backyard, close to my family and to welcome guests to the winery for a truly unforgettable wine country experience that connects the food on their plates with Jordan’s legendary history, world-class hospitality, elegant wines and breathtaking setting,” commented Chef Mallgren.

Chef Mallgren draws constant inspiration from the idyllic Wine Country landscape that is brimming with community, culture and noteworthy culinary talent. During his childhood, Chef became captivated by the global and exotic flavors often found in his mother’s homemade dishes, which largely contributed to his decision to pursue a profession in the culinary industry. Early in his career, he was fortunate to learn and gain confidence in the kitchen from some of the country’s most well-respected chefs such as Gary Danko and Jeremiah Tower. Prior to Jordan, Chef Mallgren held the position of chef de cuisine at Aspen’s Syzygy before serving as executive chef at Madrona since 1999.

Sauce poured by server onto beef dish at Bounty of Sonoma event

“We are so fortunate to have Jesse Mallgren join the Jordan family as our new executive chef. With his decades of culinary expertise and passion for farm-forward cuisine, we are excited to see his creativity and talent come to life in the Jordan kitchen,” said John Jordan, chief executive officer at Jordan.

In addition to a summer of decadent culinary events and tasting experiences, the Jordan Lobby & Chateau Lawn renovation projects will be completed this July and August after approximately six months of renovations. Led by interior designer Maria Haidamus of San Francisco, the remodel includes the first structural changes to the lobby since its original construction more than 40 years ago, which transformed former offices and an employee kitchen into sitting rooms and an expanded retail boutique, increasing the lobby’s size by 600 square feet.

We hope you’ll plan your visit to Jordan this summer to experience new culinary experiences and renovated hospitality spaces.