Matthiasson, Falanghina 2021, Lost Slough Vineyard, Clarksburg, Sacramento Valley, CA

This vibrant, 100% Falanghina has floral, saline, and stony aromas, followed by crisp, citrusy flavors layered with salt and a hint of honey.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Clarksburg AVA

REGION: Central Valley

SUBREGION: Sacramento Valley

VINEYARD: Lost Slough Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2021

GRAPES: 100% Falanghina

SOIL: Clay loam, mineral-rich, sandy, shell fragment-filled

PRACTICE: Organic

VINIFICATION: Grapes pressed whole cluster. Fermented with native yeasts only in small tanks with no temperature control (warm fermentation), full malolactic fermentation. Aged in old barrels with no racking, stirring, or fining. 

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Medium straw

BODY: Light to medium bodied

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: Floral, saline, stony, mineral, yellow flowers

FLAVOR: Crisp and bright, citrusy, salty, honey

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve chilled. Pair with scallops topped with lemon and parsley.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Steve Matthiasson

MATTHIASSON is a family endeavor, the effort of Steve and Jill Klein Matthiasson, and their two young sons. They have both had life-long careers in sustainable agriculture, and we apply those ideals of balance, restraint, and respect for the individual—and for the whole—to their wine. Their production is simple but careful. This concept is central to the tradition of viticulture and winemaking. Respect for this tradition forms the core of their work. To that end, their hands literally touch every vine and every bottle.

Steve Matthiasson started out as a vineyard guy, not a winemaker, but with clients that included Araujo, Spottswoode, Chappellet, and Stag's Leap, Matthiasson gleaned valuable info on creating fresh, vibrant new wines. With his “grapes come first” sensibility, his skill at balancing lusciousness with crisp intensity and his fascination with little-known varieties, Matthiasson is helping to change the Napa Valley paradigm.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Lost Slough Vineyard 

The Lost Slough Vineyard is planted below sea level on the black peat soils of the California Delta, where the entire interior of California drains out into the San Francisco Bay. Farmland here is surrounded by miles of levees that hold back the tidal river water. The Lost Slough Vineyard in the heart of the Clarksburg AVA in Yolo County. It is a hot climate, and the fruit ripens fast, allowing us to harvest ripe fruit at low sugar levels, keeping the alcohol moderate and the flavors vivid and intense without any heaviness in the wines. The vines are farmed organically for us.

ABOUT THE LABEL: All of the art on Matthiasson’s labels are stylized vintage pruning shears, as an homage to the vineyards and those that work with the vines. The labels with just one pruning shear indicate more limited production wines. The labels are created by noted graphic artist Michael McDermott, who “is interested in the relationship between people and the objects they leave behind and the translation of physical experiences into digital spaces.” (mwmcdermott.com)