Monte Rio Flame Tokay (Skin Contact) Heirloom Ranch, Lodi 2024 (750 ml)

Appellation: Lodi
Varietals: 60 year old Flame Tokay
Vineyard: Heirloom Ranch
Winemaking: Whole cluster fruit hand harvested foot crushed and left on the skins for 7 days. Skin fermentation took place in open top tanks. Natural yeast fermentation. The cap of grapes was punched down twice a day for the entire 7 days. Once pressed it finished fermentation in tank.
Farming: Organic
Aging: Aged in old wood barrels for 5 months
ABV: 11.5%
Production: 120 cases

This virtually extinct variety, native to Algeria and exclusively planted in Lodi is produced by fewer than five winemakers worldwide. We began making this wine in the 2022 vintage and continues to produce a very small amount annually. The Heirloom Ranch, a vineyard planted almost a century ago, also includes Zinfandel, Mission, and French Colombard. The spicy, rich, and aromatic orange wine spends a week fermenting on the skins before aging for five months in old French barrique. Only 90 cases were produced.

About Monte Rio Cellars
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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