Jason Dodson Winemaker Profile – Texas Wine Lover®
You have probably heard of Landon Winery, and if you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you probably live next to one of its tasting rooms. Landon Winery and its owner, Bob Landon, earn the title of having the most tasting rooms in Texas (seven). You need a lot of wine to supply all those tasting rooms, and the winemaker behind all that wine is Jason Dodson. Landon Winery is always winning medals at wine competitions, so Jason isn’t just sitting around producing so-so wine; he’s producing award-winning wines. We are happy to present Jason Dodson as this month’s Winemaker Profile.
- What did you do before becoming a winemaker?
I was a manager for Papa John’s in the DFW area. I was also a full-time student working on my MBA in economics.
- What is the toughest challenge about being a winemaker in Texas?
I’d say it’s always the unpredictability of our extreme Texas climates. Adaptability is your best tool.
- Is winemaking an art or a science or both?
I’d say it’s a little of both. Technical precision ensures a stable product, but it requires creative intuition to show a wine’s true approachability.
- What is your favorite food and wine pairing?
A big red and a bone-in ribeye.
- If you didn’t make wine, what would you do?
I would probably be working for a distillery or brewery.
- What first attracted you to winemaking and how long have you been doing it?
Working in the cellar just felt like the place I needed to be. I never really thought it would turn into a career. I started out as a cellar hand 17 years ago with Landon Winery.
- What is the most common question you are asked as a winemaker?
You got anything new you’re working on?
- After a long day in the winery or vineyard, what do you do?
Hang out with the family and watch a little bit of YouTube.
- What’s the greatest part about being a winemaker?
Getting to see customers, friends, and family enjoy what I’ve created.
- What is your winemaking philosophy, that is, what are you trying to achieve with your wines?
Make wines for the people. Give them what they want. It’s not always about what I want.
If you are a wine grower or winemaker, and have not been featured yet in a Grower Profile or Winemaker Profile, please contact us!
