By Liz Miller, Wine Manager
I met Patrick Capiello of Monte Rio Cellars recently, but it felt like we should have crossed paths sooner. He started out working in restaurants, grew up skateboarding and listening to punk music, hosted a Food & Wine series for Playboy, and now makes stellar wines alongside California wine guru Pax Mahle.
Anyone that grew up listening to punk music will likely tell you that punk has a way of following you through life - and I think it shows in Patrick’s wines. His wines are produced in a do it yourself fashion by himself and a single employee, Jesus Aleman. And although he uses biodynamic farming practices, he is pretty outspoken about adding small amounts of sulfur to his wines to maintain their continuity with time - something that is generally frowned upon amongst his peers. He is also known for criticizing mass production wineries for their negative impact on smaller production labels like his.
“While conglomerates like Constellation Brands, Gallo, and Trinchero Family Estates, which all own and operate numerous wine brands with revenues in the millions, would survive, it’s the smaller labels—many of which often fly under the radar among everyday wine drinkers—that are struggling.”
Recently, Patrick posted an Instagram story expressing that he needed our help - not his normal solicitation for wine consumers to buy more American wine, but a sincere and personal plea asking us to buy his wine or else he would soon have to shut the doors at Monte Rio Cellars. I can attest that these are all fantastic wines created by a gem of a human, and the prices have (purposefully) remained the same since the winery’s inception. Patrick produces wine for the people, so let’s combine forces to support Patrick when he needs us most.
$24.99 Monte Rio Cellars Lodi Sauvignon Blanc ‘23
This wine is everything you want out of a Sauvignon Blanc - it’s light, crisp and refreshing with a salty backbone and mineral finish. It also happens to be the perfect companion for oysters by the pool.
$24.99 Monte Rio Cellars Lodi Côt ‘23
Also known as Malbec, this wine is inspired by the Loire Valley côt producers. This is the first vintage of this wine, and it boasts aromas of tart raspberry, cured leather and baking spice. It’s light to medium in body, juicy and delicious.
$24.99 Monte Rio Cellars “River’s Edge” Lodi Sangiovese ‘22
This wine comes from twenty year old Sangiovese vines that were farmed biodynamically. It’s a medium-bodied red with mouth-watering acidity and bright tannins. Black cherry dominates the palate with hints of plum and baking spice on the finish. This would be the perfect wine to pair with spaghetti and meatballs.
