Monte Rio Chardonnay 'Hawkeye Ranch' Mendocino 2022 (750 ml)

Winemaker: Patrick Cappiello
Appellation: Mendocino County – Redwood Valley
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyards: Hawkeye
Winemaking: Whole cluster fruit hand harvested directly to our press. Natural yeast fermentation took place in stainless steel tank and old wood barrels.
Farming: Organic
Aging: Aged in old wood barrels for 9 months, then transferred to stainless steel for 1 month.
ABV: 13%
Production: 320 cases

Chardonnay from the organically farmed Hawkeye Ranch Vineyard in the Redwood Valley of Mendocino County. Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and neutral oak, and matured for nine months in oak. The wine was transferred to stainless steel to settle for an additional month before bottling, unfined/unfiltered.

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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