Monte Rio Cellars Pinot Grigio, Lodi 2022 (750 ml)

Flinty and fruit forward, with a rich round mouthfeel. First time we’ve bottled this wine!

Appellation: Lodi
Varietals: 25 year old Pinot Grigio vines
Winemaking: Whole cluster fruit hand harvested directly to our press. Fermentation took place
in stainless steel tank. Natural yeast fermentation.
Farming: Organic
Aging: Aged in stainless steel for 5 months
ABV: 12.5%
Production: 300cases

Pinot Grigio from organically farmed 25-year old vines in Lodi, CA. Whole clusters are hand harvested and direct pressed into stainless steel for fermentation with native yeasts. Aged for five months in stainless before bottling. 12.5% abv.

Mr. Cappiello got his start in restaurants, his wine career began in 2002 as a Sommelier at Tribeca Grill. As time progressed his roles changed 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 Winemaker was a natural progression for Cappiello. He still serves as Wine Director of Walnut Street Café in Philadelphia. 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. All have been recipients of Wine Spectators "Grand Award"; TriBeCa Grill, Veritas, GILT, and Pearl & Ash. Mr. Cappiello was named "Sommelier of the Year 2014" by Food & Wine Magazine, "Wine Person of the Year 2014" by Imbibe Magazine, and "Sommelier of the Year 2015" by Eater National.

His winemaking career started in 2018, under the watchful eye of Pax Mahle. Monte Rio focuses on heritage and classic California varieties. Wines are made naturally with no additives and farmed with organic practices.

Mr. Cappiello and Mr. Mahle collaborate on two wineries; Skull Wines and the Piquette Project.

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