Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla 2019, Matthiasson Vineyard, Napa Valley, CA

This Ribolla Gialla tastes like hazelnuts, baking spices, Meyer lemon curd, Bartlett pear, but most of all it has a stony minerality that is incredibly distinctive. There is supple tannic structure and fresh balanced acidity, with great weight and length given the low alcohol.

COUNTRY: United State of America (USA)

STATE: CA

APPELLATION (AVA): Napa Valley

REGION: Napa County

SUBREGION: Western Oak Knoll

VINEYARDS: Mathhiasson Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2019

GRAPES: 100% Ribolla Gialla

SOIL: Alluvium

PRACTICE: Organic farming, sustainable, low intervention

VINIFICATION: Whole cluster fermentation, no racking, aged sur lees 18 months in neutral oak, minimal SO2 at bottling only

STYLE: Still

COLOR:  Deep coppery gold

BODY: Medium (5-6)

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: Orange blossom, banana nut bread, baking spice

FLAVOR: Rich texture, orange marmalade, honey roasted nuts, supple tannins, lingering finish

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13%

SERVICE AND SUGGESTION: This weighty white will pair well with pork, rich raw and/or cooked seafood, and intense cheeses.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: 
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 VINEYARDS: Matthiasson
“At our home in the West Oak Knoll area of Napa we indulge our fascination with different grape varieties by growing Refosco, Cabernet Franc, Ribolla gialla, Merlot, Tocai friulano, Petit verdot, and Schioppettino. The soil is alluvium from the nearby Dry Creek. With fruit trees at the ends of the rows and flowering bushes throughout for “good bug” habitat, the vines are serenaded throughout the season by kids, coyotes, owls, bees, and the occasional roar of one of our old tractors. Certified Organic.” matthiasson.com

ABOUT THE LABEL:
“Their wine label… is an homage to both the vineyards and those who work with the vines. Images of vintage pruning shears line the label on every one of their wines – the wines with only one pruning shear on the label indicate more limited production wines. Noted graphic artist, Michael McDermott is the genius behind this design.” napawineproject.com