Wine · Lodi, California
Monte Rio Cellars
A New York sommelier's light, old-school wines from Lodi vineyards.
- Founded by
- Patrick Cappiello
- Based in
- Lodi, California
Their story
Monte Rio Cellars is the project of Patrick Cappiello, who spent more than 25 years as a sommelier in New York restaurants before turning to winemaking. He named the label after Monte Rio, the Russian River resort town in Sonoma County, and runs it on his own money, as the only employee.
His early releases from the 2019 vintage included a red Mission from the Somers Vineyard, a riverside site near Acampo, and a dry white Zinfandel from very old vines. Later wines added Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and red blends, as well as unusual grapes like Flame Tokay.
How it's made
Cappiello buys fruit from old Lodi vineyards, some planted nearly a century ago. The Mission is made with carbonic maceration and finished in concrete and stainless steel with almost no oak. The style favors lighter, fresher wines.
I'm completely self-funded and am my only employee
Why we carry them
Monte Rio is fun, easy-drinking California wine with a sense of history. Try the reds with a slight chill.
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