Monte Rio Mission Lodi, California 2021

Style:  Red

Vintage:  2021

ABV:  11,3%

Region:  Lodi, California

Country: USA

Varietals:  Mission (80 year old vines)

Pairing Ideas: Mission food pairing is simple because this wine has such an extensive and food-friendly profile. That said, when serving Mission wine, you want to go Mediterranean. Paella, fideuà, churros, gazpacho, moussaka, lasagna, risotto, or polenta, are some of the sample dishes that match divinely with Mission wine. Also complement the wine with a fatty, oily fish, such as salmon or tuna, goose or chicken, and seasonal vegetables. Spread a bit of olive oil on the veggies and put them on the grill. Let them cook until they become slightly blackened. Then, remove them, and serve them along with pan-fried salmon and a Mission wine. This organic, natural yeast whole cluster fermentation red is meant to be drunk now style.  I'd suggest grabbing two bottles.  

Production: 380 cases 

About: Patrick Cappiello. 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.