2024 Monte Rio Cellars "The Bench" Orange Vermentino, Lodi, California
Regular price $24.00
Unit price per
100% Vermentino
Monte Rio Cellars is a collaboration between longtime friends Patrick Cappiello and Pax Mahle. Following a successful career as a sommelier and restaurant owner in New York City, Patrick set his sights on the West Coast to make wine. He launched Monte Rio Cellars with the help of his buddy and highly-respected winemaker, Pax.
Patrick and Pax's philosophy is to make hand-crafted wines in the spirit of old California. With this idea in mind, they work with family-owned, organically farmed vineyards and keep the winemaking simple. Spontaneous fermentations take place with whole cluster grapes in stainless steel and concrete, and aging takes place in neutral oak barrels. The goal is to make moderate alcohol, higher acid, fresh wines, naturally.
The 2023 Monte Rio Orange Vermentino is a bold and energetic take on this Mediterranean variety, made with extended skin contact for a true orange wine experience. Sourced from organic vineyards in California, it delivers bright citrus peel, apricot, and tea-like tannins, all wrapped in a zesty, textural palate. This vintage is fermented with native yeasts and sees minimal intervention, showcasing a raw and honest expression of the grape. Its amber hue and savory edge make it a standout pairing for spicy dishes, aged cheeses, or autumn vegetables. Unfiltered and unfined, it's a wine that speaks to both natural wine lovers and curious explorers.