Shenandoah Wine Dinner with Ben Jordan of Common Wealth Crush

Ben fell in love with wine through the influence of a few good mentors while working retail wine sales in New York. He moved to California and worked his first vintage at C Donatiello Winery in Healdsburg, California in 2008. After experiences in the lab and cellar in the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley in California, Ben returned to Virginia in 2012 to become the winemaker at Michael Shaps Wineworks. He moved to Early Mountain Vineyards in the summer of 2015 where he served as winemaker as well as crafting the Midland wines (from his family’s Mount Airy vineyard) and the Lightwell Survey Wines. In Summer of 2022, Ben co-founded Common Wealth Crush Co. where he is currently winemaking and running operations.

Now making wine for three labels - Common Wealth Crush, Lightwell Survey, and Midland Construction - Ben has become a well-known name amongst grape growers and winemakers as an innovator and consultant for making world-class Virginia wines.

We are incredibly excited to have Ben join us with wines from each of his labels to show us what his years of research and experience has found. These wines beside the culinary craft of Chef Tony Chittum, featuring seasonal ingredients sourced from Mid-Atlantic purveyors, will be a meal that cannot be missed!

These limited bottles will also be available for purchase to take home after your meal!

The Wines:

Midland Construction, Sparkling Rosé "Zero" 2019

Lightwell Survey, "Hintermen" White Blend 2021

Lightwell Survey, "Weird Ones Are Wolves" Cabernet Franc 2021

Common Wealth Crush, "Party Kiwi" Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Host or Publisher Vermilion