Monte Rio Zinfandel ‘Old Vines’ 2022 (750 ml)

Winemaker: Patrick Cappiello
Appellation: Lodi
Varietals: 120-80 year old Zinfandel vines
Vineyards: Marians, Faith, Mohr-Fry, Shergill
Winemaking: Semi-Carbonic Maceration of 100% whole cluster fruit for 8 days in concrete. Grapes were pressed and transferred to stainless steel tanks for 12 days. When fermentation was finished the wines were transferred to 9 year old French oak barrels. Natural yeast fermentation.
Farming: Organic
Aging: Bottled after 10 months in old wood barrels
ABV: 13%
Production: 800 cases

The fruit was sourced from three organically farmed vineyards - Royal T, Mohr-Fry, and Shergill. These own-rooted vines range from 80-120 years of age and produce low yields of concentrated fruit. 100% whole cluster, carbonic maceration in concrete tanks before being pressed into stainless steel to complete fermentation. All native yeasts. Matured for 10 months in neutral oak. 13% 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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