Jeff & Vicki Gordon ~ Owners
John J. Gabriel ~ Winemaker
Marc Nelson ~ Vineyard & Orchard Manager
Katie Nelson ~ Marketing & Brand Coordinator

JOHN J. GABRIEL
Winemaker

John J. Gabriel was born and raised in Geleen, The Netherlands. A fundamental understanding in Europe is that food and wine are meant to be enjoyed together. Thus his enthusiasm for pairing fabulous foods with great wines led him to pursue dual degrees in Business and Culinary Arts, which he finished in 1981. His culinary training took him across Europe to the different wine regions of France and Germany, learning both the intricacies and subtle nuances of creating complex and multi-layered menus complete with complimentary wine selections.

From there he studied with YWAM in the Hawaiian Islands, where he met his beautiful wife Julie. They were married in 1987 and spent several years on the west side of Washington State near Olympia before settling in Prosser with their four children.

Seeing the beauty and ideal climate of Eastern Washington, John’s culinary training fueled a desire to learn more about how great wines are made, quite literally from the ground up. He pursued courses at Washington State University in Viticulture and Enology. These courses focused specifically on Eastern Washington and allowed him to sharpen his skills related to the growth and cultivation of wine grapes because; great wines are made in the vineyard. At the same time he became privy to the best kept secrets in the business, as well as some of the latest technology related to the science of making wine.

Taking those locally grown varietals and blending them to make a great tasting wine is truly an art form, and it is one that John has been preparing for his entire life. His passion for quality and for creating great wines has secured him the position of assistant winemaker in several small wineries across the Yakima and Columbia Valley. He still enjoys cooking, and has put on a number of dinners for his fellow winemakers. He and Julie are thrilled to join the Gordon Brothers family.