2019 Monte Rio Mission
2019 Monte Rio Mission, Pais from Lodi, California
Fruit for this insanely fruit-forward red comes from organically farmed 80-year-old vines in Lodi and is whole cluster carbonically macerated for ten days in steel. Post native yeast fermentation in steel and concrete, the wine is transferred to old wood barrels to age for six months. Food-friendly and fruit-forward, this bottle is the perfect introductory bottle to understand the Mission grape. Only 380 cases produced.
Planted as the first vitis vinifera wine grape in the U.S., País has a long significant history in the Americas. Originally from Spain, where the grape is known as Listán Prieto, it was brought by Spanish colonists to Mexico in 1540 and, later, during the late 1700s, to Mission San Diego in California where it would take on another new name, Mission. Propagated for its use as a sacramental wine, Mission remained important in California until the spread of phylloxera in the 1880s. Somm Secret—In Chile it is called Pais. In Argentina, Pais is known as Criolla Chica.
Positioned between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi appellation, while relatively far inland, is able to maintain a classic Mediterranean climate featuring warm, sunny days and cool evenings. This is because the appellation is uniquely situated at the end of the Sacramento River Delta, which brings chilly, afternoon “delta breezes” to the area during the growing season.
Lodi is a premier source of 100+ year old ancient Zinfandel vineyards—some dating back as far as 1888! With low yields of small berries, these heritage vines produce complex and bold wines, concentrated in rich and voluptuous, dark fruit.
Patrick Cappiello Mr. Cappiello got his start in restaurants, starting his career in 2002 as a Sommelier at Tribeca Grill, changing his title to Wine Director and restaurant owner over the next 15 years. Through connections with countless winemakers and after meeting his current business partner Pax Mahle, the transition to Wine Maker was a natural progression for Cappiello. He still serves as Wine Director of Walnut Street Café. He is Food & Wine host for Playboy and founding member of Winemakers & Sommeliers for California Wildfire Relief. His 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and Sommelier career has given him access to four of the worlds greatest wine cellars.
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