Jill and Steve Matthiasson
MATTHIASSON: Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same
The world of wine is constantly changing. Since we started in 2003, we’ve seen the rise in popularity of Rosé, skin-contact white wines (aka “orange wines”), natural wines, high alcohol wines, low alcohol wines, etc.
However, wine is ancient, and when we embarked on growing grapes and making wine, we were tapping into a tradition that has changed very little compared to the fast-moving modern world.
It’s natural for people to want what’s new and exciting, so how have we found a way to balance tradition while competing with the changing fashions? Well, in hindsight it turns out that Steve and I have always been a little ahead of our time, even though there were moments where we felt we were out of step.
We both developed our passion for regenerative organic farming 30+ years ago, when only a small number of farmers and gardeners were actively working to promote it. We are thrilled to now see so many people embracing the importance of our collective efforts.
We recently read a few articles about wine trends for 2025 — one said that, “Wine bottles will go lighter for luxury brands.” At Matthiasson, we have used lightweight bottles since 2003, and have also made an effort over the years to source bottles with the highest recycled content.
Another article focusing on the future of wines predicted, “Low-alcohol wines for wellness-conscious consumers.” We have prided ourselves on our low alcohol wines since we started Matthiasson because we believe that low alcohol wines best enhance the dining experience.
With all the changes around us, the goal for our wines has, and always will be, the same: food friendly, low alcohol, organically grown, high quality, and delicious. Trends come and go. We do what we do because we believe in it, not because it’s trendy…
And with that in mind, we are thrilled to present our offer for BerserkerDay16
All offers available on the same page: BerserkerDay16
OFFER 1: 2023 Rosé
As we get ready to bottle the 2024 vintage, we are offering the “last call” on our 2023 Rosé, a fan favorite. A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Counoise from Windmill Vineyard, and Barbera from Muller Vineyard in Dunnigan Hills, it is delicately light, gracefully dancing on the palate, and culminating in a clean finish. Infused with subtle fruits, salty minerality, and refreshing acidity, it boasts citrusy aromas.
Crafted from grapes grown exclusively for rosé, and harvested early for vibrant juiciness, it is fermented and aged “sur lees” in stainless steel barrels. This Rosé captures the zesty brightness of early harvest, ensuring a crisp and refreshing experience.
- 6-pack - $145 including shipping (plus tax)
- 12-pack - $259 including shipping (plus tax)
OFFER 2: Matthiasson Intro Pack
- 2023 Rosé: Stony, nectarine, dry and clean
- 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay, Linda Vista Vineyard: Crunchy apple, lemon curd, juicy pear
- 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Black Tartarian cherry, Santa Rosa plum, redwood, oak forest floor
$140 including shipping (plus tax)
OFFER 3: Matthiasson Italian Four Pack (limit 48)
- 2023 Napa Valley Vermentino, Cressida Vineyard: Citrus zest, fresh cut pineapple, racy
- 2022 Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla, Bengier Vineyard: Oyster shell, celery salt, yellow plum
- 2022 Napa Valley Refosco, Matthiasson Vineyard: Black pepper, floral, stony tannins
- 2022 Napa Valley Schioppettino, Matthiasson Vineyard: White pepper, raspberries, floating texture
$185 including shipping (plus tax)
OFFER 4: Matthiasson Library Offering (limit 12)
- 2013 Napa Valley Merlot, Red Hen Vineyard: Bing cherry, juicy, menthol
- 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (96 pts Decanter Magazine): Marion berries, cedar, mineral
- 2016 Napa Valley Red Wine: Blackberry, black olive, spice
$350 including shipping (plus tax)
We ship to all states EXCEPT UT, MS, and KY
AK and HI Berserkers: please message me about quotes for shipping.
All Offers Available on the Same Page: BerserkerDay16
THE WINES
2023 Rosé Dunningan Hills 11.5% abv: A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Counoise from the Windmill Vineyard, and Barbera from the Muller Vineyard. We whole-cluster press the grapes, settle in a cold tank for 24 hours, then ferment and age the wine “sur lees” in stainless steel barrels. To preserve the acidity we prevent malolactic fermentation. We keep the barrels shut tight, no topping or stirring, and the wine is never racked, fined, or cold-stabilized, but since it is ML negative it is filtered before bottling.
2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay, Linda Vista Vineyard 12.5% abv: For complexity, completeness, and balance, we achieve a diversity of ripeness by using the traditional method of harvesting the fruit several different times during the ripening period. The earlier harvests contribute acidity and minerality, and the later harvests contribute flesh and richness. We ferment and age the wine sur lees in old French oak barrels with only native yeast. Two-fifths of the barrels to go through malo-lactic fermentation.
2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% abv: The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. For complexity and balance our Cab is composed of grapes from six vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. The three AVAs are Coombsville for structure and black fruit, Rutherford for savory Cabernet characters and bright fruit, and Oak Knoll for soft fruit. It is a Napa Cab of the old school, age-worthy, complex, and begging for a steak off the grill.
2023 Napa Valley Vermentino, Cressida Vineyard, 13.0% abv: The Cressida Vineyard 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.
2022 Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla, Bengier Vineyard, 13.0% abv: Originally planted my our dear friend and mentor, George Vare, who brought the Ribolla Gialla cuttings back from the Gravner Vineyard (in the Friuli region of Italy), the Bengier family purchased the vineyard after George’s passing, and Steve has continuously overseen the vineyard management since 2002. The wine is pure slate and minerals. There is no fruitiness at all, instead there is a sense of clean cold stone. The texture has the tannic structure that Ribolla is known for, and that makes it so great with food.
2022 Napa Valley Refosco, Matthiasson Vineyard, 12.0% abv: Refosco originates in the Friuli region of Italy and Slovenia. An ancient grape, Refosco was first mentioned in print in 1409 at a banquet for Pope Gregory XII. It is distantly related to Syrah and Pinot noir. Our Refosco is always defined by its balance between fruitiness and earthiness, and it is full soft tannins. A happy wine, it is one of our favorites to drink at home.
2022 Napa Valley Schioppettino, Matthiasson Vineyard, 11.0% abv: Schioppettino (also called Ribolla Nera) originates in the Friuli region of Italy and Slovenia. We have one of the few plantings in California. An ancient grape, Schioppettino, which means “gunshot,” was first mentioned in print for wedding ceremonies in 1282. It is ancient and unrelated to any other known variety. The Schioppettino has fascinating flavors of white and black pepper, cedar, flowers, and raspberry. It is incredibly fresh tasting, with a stony minerality underlying the cooling flavors.
2013 Napa Valley Merlot, Red Hen Vineyard, 13.7% abv: The wine is 100 percent Merlot. The Red Hen Vineyard, along Dry Creek in the Oak Knoll district, at the very top of the creek’s alluvial fan, is a warm site with very light and thin soils, composed of a foot of silty loam sitting on top of at least 10-20 feet of pure cobble. The vines are naturally small berried and early ripening. The stress results in extremely low yields, barely making over a ton per acre of intense and concentrated fruit. In the 1950s through the 1970s, this block produced the top fruit for Christian Brothers, when it was still run by the Church (it was called “block 74”). It was forgotten about as a top quality site until we rediscovered it in 2003.
2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.1% abv: In the tradition of Cabernet sauvignon, ours includes a small amount of Merlot and Petit Verdot, and is blended from seven vineyards throughout the Napa Valley. The three AVAs are Coombsville for structure and black fruit, Rutherford for savory Cabernet characters, and Oak Knoll for bright fruit. It is a Napa Cab of the old school, a blended wine, age-worthy, complex, and begging for a steak off of the grill. The 2014 vintage, despite the drought, had a mild start to the season, which made for a vibrant red-fruited wine.
2016 Napa Valley Red Wine, 13.5% abv: The blend is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, & 2% Petit Verdot. The Merlot comes from the Red Hen Vineyard (see above) and the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Dead Fred Vineyard. The Cabernet franc and Petit verdot are from the Matthiasson Vineyard. The Dead Fred Vineyard in Coombsville sits on a rocky volcanic knoll top, with soil derived from volcanic ash with lots of rocks made from rylolite (compressed volcanic ash). Its south-western exposure causes the soil to pick up heat during the day, but the proximity to the mouth of the Napa Valley with its morning fog and afternoon sea breezes keeps the air cool. This combination of warm volcanic soil and cool marine air creates fruit that is uncommonly structured and ripe, yet fresh and minerality.