JORDAN WINE ESTATE - Key Persons
Gary Jordan obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Geology. Gary then worked as a Field Geologist for the Geological Survey in charge of various base metal prospecting projects throughout the Bushveld Igneous Complex.
Having joined Ted Jordan on the estate in a full-time capacity from 1985, Gary attended several courses at the Viticultural and Oenological Research Institute, in Stellenbosch.
In 1988, Gary and Kathy ventured overseas to the United States where they studied at the University of California (Davis). Gary attended the Programme in Viticulture and Enology whilst working under the mentorship of the Professor of Enology, Cornelius Ough, He also completed a 6-month internship at Iron Horse Winery, Sonoma.
Not only has Gary been involved in transforming Jordan into one of South Africa's leading wine estates, he has also been an integral part of the South African Wine Industry. He is a past Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild, remains one of the selected senior judges for the South African Trophy Wine Show, and is a lecturer at the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy.
Chef George Jardine, of The Jordan Restaurant, remained in the Top 20 South African Restaurants at the EatOut Awards since opening and left his guests coming back for more with his signature dishes of Chalmar sirloin, steamed Saldanha Bay mussels "en Papillote", and of course, the infamous honey & poppyseed soufflé!
After 12 successful years at The Jordan Restaurant, George and Louise have decided to focus their energy on Restaurant Jardine in central Stellenbosch and explore other culinary projects.
Obtaining her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Cape Town, with a double major in Economics and Industrial Psychology, Kathy went on to study at the University of California, Davis. She attended classes in the Department of Viticulture and Enology as well as marketing courses in the Department of Agricultural Economics. She also completed a 6-month internship at Iron Horse Winery, Sonoma.
On returning to South Africa, Kathy and Gary jointly spearheaded the growth and development of the family-run, Jordan Wine Estate, from the initial 6 000-case winery to a successful 65 000-case business, regularly rated as one of the Top 10 wineries in South Africa.
Since 1993, the maiden vintage at Jordan, both Gary & Kathy, has been hands-on and intimately involved in all aspects of winemaking, marketing, and the development of the estate from a small family-run, 100 T cellar into the 900 T cellar that it is today.
Kathy is committed to elevating the profile of woman in the wine business through her Women in Wine Initiative, started in 2013 with the help of Jancis Robinson.
Marthinus Ferreira - Marthinus has helped shape the South African food scene with his flair of food gastronomy inspired by his childhood favourites and influences from abroad and having worked with some of the world's top chefs, including Chef Gordon Ramsey and Chef Heston Blumenthal. Trained at the Institute of Culinary Arts, South Africa's leading school for world-class chefs, Marthinus received comprehensive and specialised training based on classic gastronomic principles, coupled with the ability to utilise innovative thinking and creative flair. Since 2001, Chef Ferreira has been working to refine his skills and to garner a deep and intimate *understanding of the culinary industry. He soon moved on to a position as Chef De Partie in 2002, working at La Colombe Restaurant until 2003 (one of the top 10 in South Africa at the time). Following this, he assumed the role of Head Chef at Circle Restaurant in Greenside where he received praise on his highly original menu from critics and co-workers alike. 2005 saw Marthinus heading off to the UK to discover a new world of cooking: he worked as Head Chef at the Riverside Brasserie, taking on the responsibilities of originating menus, training staff and developing the establishment as a whole.
Always keen on learning, with a drive to be the best, Marthinus worked as a chef in numerous establishments such as The Fat Duck, Hind's Head under Chef Heston Blumenthal and the Boxwood Café with Gordon Ramsay. Having worked with the world's top chefs abroad, he returned to South Africa to open his own establishment in Johannesburg where he made his name with experimental and lightly nostalgic fine-dining cuisine. DW Eleven -13, won numerous awards over the years, was voted "winner" in the Eat Out Top 10 Awards in the years 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, Top Gourmet Guide Awards, Top
100 under 30 in Mail and Guardian, 41 st in the world on French Algorithm in 2016. In 2018 he was one of the Jurors for Africa and Middle East at the San Pelligrino Young Chefs competition where he was also a Mentor for Vusi Ndlovu who was awarded as one of the Top 7 Chefs.
Over the years Chef Marthinus has done numerous celeb guest appearances, publications and TV shows, appearing on the Espresso show, as a Judge on Master chef, and head judge on The Ultimate Braai Master for the first two seasons.
In February 2022, wine estate owner, Gary Jordan announced that Marthinus would take over the reins of the newly revamped Stellenbosch Winelands Restaurant, The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira.
Since opening Marthinus has been recognized and awarded a numerous awards within the first year, the award of Best of Wine Tourism Restaurant, The Gourmet Guide award, Two Stars from The Eat Out Awards as well as a Luxe Global Award.
Reservations for The Restaurant at Jordan with Chef Marthinus Ferreira can be made by clicking here
Sjaak grew up in the vineyards on a Tulbagh Estate. Although surrounded by vines he went to Boland College to study Financial Management for 3 years. Once graduated and in need of work he went to assist for a week at Tulbagh Co-op. A week turned into 3 years as he made himself indispensable. Here, Sjaak learned the grading of grapes and the importance of quality of quantity. He moved on after successfully managing 3 harvests, to Saxenburg, a Stellenbosch wine estate. It didn't take long before he moved over to his neighbours at Jordan Wine Estate.
20 years later, Sjaak has proved himself year after year by producing award-winning wines with Gary & Kathy Jordan.
Sjaak is part of the Jordan family and knows each corner of the winery inside and out. If he is not in the cellar he is on his bike cycling the mountain ranges of the Cape.