Matthiasson, Vermentino 2022, Cressida Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, CA

This dry and salty white is crisp and fresh, with texture notes of ripe papaya, figs, and tarragon and herbal undertones.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Los Carneros AVA

REGION: North Coast

SUBREGION: Napa Valley

VINEYARD: Cressida Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2022

GRAPES: 100% Vermentino

SOIL: Shale

PRACTICE:  Organic, low intervention

VINIFICATION: Grapes were split into two fermentation lots. The riper lot was fermented on the skins in a tank, the less ripe portion of the vineyard went directly pressed whole cluster and fermented in neutral barrels. The lots were then blended for bright acidity and textured depth. Only native yeasts were used in fermentation.

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Pale straw

BODY: Light bodied

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: salt spray of the ocean, dates, figs, papaya, tarragon

FLAVOR: Textured, saltiness, ripe fruit, herbal

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve chilled. Pair with grilled summer veggies and white fish.

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: Cressida Vineyard

“We purchased the Cressida Vineyard along with our partners Perry Tam and Laura Yip in 2022. It is planted along the spine of a ridgetop in the upper section of Los Carneros, overlooking the Bay, with the San Francisco skyline clearly visible across the water. It receives the perfect balance of warm sun and cooling Bay winds, straight off the Pacific and through the Golden Gate. The soils are shale from an ancient inland sea—the vineyard is the foot of the Mayacamas, with the Cressida Vineyard at the base and Mt. Veeder at the top. Raptors hover overhead, riding the winds thrust up as the Bay breezes meet the Cressida hillside. “ (matthiasson.com)

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)