Following a successful career as a sommelier and restaurant owner in New York City, Patrick Cappiello set his sights on the West Coast, launching Monte Rio Cellars and Skull Wine Co. The pull towards winemaking happened organically, having spent years learning from various winemakers, among them his close friend, Pax Mahle.
As a restaurant buyer and young consumer, Patrick felt there was a lack of affordable, honest wines from California. Monte Rio Cellars is his answer to that, producing a wide range of balanced, and food-friendly wines for people to enjoy.
Working with family owned, organically farmed vineyards and simple winemaking, Patrick is achieving his goal of making delicious, hand-crafted wines in the spirit of old California.
Pinot Gris 25%, Sauvignon Blanc 25%, Vermentino 25%, Verdelho 25%. All fruit sourced from organic vineyards in Lodi and San Benito (Verdelho). Each variety is fermented separately with natural yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and neutral barrels before blending. Matured for 5 months in neutral oak and force carbonated at bottling. 12.5% abv.
Producer: Skull Wines
Country: USA
Region: California
Varietal: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Verdejo
Appellation: California
Vintage: 2022
Size: 750ml