WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The Auction of Washington Wines, one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S., has named second-generation vintner Jordan Small of historic Woodward Canyon Winery in the Walla Walla Valley as an Emerging Leader.
This year marks the 37th annual Auction of Washington Wines, and the presentation to Small will be part of the third annual TOAST! Honoree Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 8 at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville.
The festive Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction — with the auction component sponsored by Seattle author/wine merchant Paul Zitarelli and his Full Pull Wines — is Friday, Aug. 9 on the campus of Château Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, followed by the auction’s signature Gala on Saturday, Aug. 10. The Gala Online Auction begins Tuesday, Aug. 6 and runs through Aug. 10. Money raised helps support Seattle Children’s, the Washington State University viticulture and enology program and grant partner Vital Wines in the Walla Walla Valley.
The Auction of Washington Wines began its TOAST! program in 2022, and the 2023 recipients are listed here.
For the second consecutive year, the nine TOAST! recipients will be revealed this week via GreatNorthwestWine.com.
Monday — TOAST! Vine to Wine Award: Eduardo Enriquez, Corliss Estates
Monday — TOAST! Healthy Land, Healthy Communities Award: Kiona Vineyards and Winery
Monday — TOAST! Award of Distinction: Markus Keller, Washington State University
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Jordan Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Matías Kúsulas, Gård Vintners/Desert Wind Winery/Massalto/Valo
Tuesday — TOAST! Emerging Leader: Stacy Buchanan, Blood of Gods
Wednesday — TOAST! Wine Industry Champion: Chris Stone, Washington State Wine Commission
Wednesday — Auction of Washington Wines Star Award: Richard Duval, WinePix
Wednesday — TOAST! Lifetime Achievement Award: Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
Previously announced honorees for the 2024 Auction of Washington Wines include Leslie Sbrocco (Honorary Chair), Christophe Baron of Bionic Wines (Honorary Vintner) and Robert Rivera of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard (Honorary Grower). Co-chairs are Laura and Ian MacNeil with John and Deanna Oppenheimer.
“We are delighted to recognize these outstanding individuals for their substantial contributions to the Washington wine industry,” says Jamie Peha, executive director of the Auction of Washington Wines since 2019. “Their dedication, innovation and passion have been instrumental in shaping the success and reputation of the region as a whole.”
Sponsors of the TOAST Honoree Celebration include Republic National Distributing Co., Saxco, Woodinville Wine Country, Washington State Wine Commission, Château Ste. Michelle and Trysk Print Solutions.
The Emerging Leader Award is to recognize those whose contributions, service or involvement within the Washington wine industry are creating pathways and providing a vision for the future. This summer’s recognition for Small serves as a continuation of the respect for her brand and her family. (Her father, Rick, twice has been spotlighted by the Auction of Washington Wines — once as Honorary Vintner and another time as Honorary Grower.)
Born and raised in Walla Walla, Jordan grew up in the wine industry running around the dusty hills of Salmon-Safe Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard, washing glasses during event weekends and spending summer vacations bottling at the family’s winery in Lowden.
Not long after graduating in 2006 from Lewis & Clark College in Portland with a degree in international relations and affairs, she entered the Pacific Northwest wine industry as sales manager for Tertulia Cellars. The erstwhile Walla Walla Valley producer grew grapes and operated tasting rooms in both Washington and Oregon, providing Small with valuable experience.
In 2009, she took on the role of lab manager at acclaimed Long Shadows Vintners — working for Gilles Nicault, her family’s former winemaker — prior to joining the Woodward Canyon team in 2013. By 2018, Jordan took over lead consumer sales. Three years later, she was promoted to general manager/co-owner.
Continuing the family tradition of community involvement, Jordan was elected in 2019 to the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance board of directors. She was appointed to the role of President in 2022, and following her term continues to serve on the board as secretary and marketing committee co-chair of the organization that represents more than 90 winery members, 20 vineyard members and 60 industry and community partners. (Earlier in 2024, Small was included in the State of Washington Tourism article “Women shaping Washington’s wine industry”.)
From her father’s perspective, Jordan and her brother, Sager, with a degree from the winemaking program at Walla Walla Community College, are prepared to continue making history for Woodward Canyon and help lead the wine community, despite the myriad challenges that the industry faces regionally and globally.
“That’s been the children’s decision to make,” he told Jim Kershner in a HistoryLink.org profile. “But I think it’s going to be harder for them than it was for us.”
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