Monte Rio Vermentino ’The Bench’, Lodi 2023 (750 ml)

Appellation: Lodi
Varietals: 30 year old Vementino
Winemaking: Whole cluster fruit hand harvested Fermented on the skins for 30 days in open
top fermenters. The caps were punched down by hand twice a day. Natural yeast fermentation.
Farming: Biodynamic
Aging: Aged in old wood barrels for 5 months
ABV: 12.5%
Production: 550 cases

Skin fermented in open top tanks for 30 days. The cap was submerged twice a day by hand, a truly hand crafted Orange Wine. Notes of apricot blossoms, black tea and tangerine, a rich mouthfeel with perfectly balanced acidity.

Patrick 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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