Masayason's table wine debuted as an easy-to-drink, healthy wine.
Much needed rains in the winter of 2018 and spring of 2019 revitalized the soil and the vines.
The tannins and concentration are milder than in the dry 6-8 years, resulting in a bright wine with higher-toned fruitiness and a delicate mouthfeel.
Previously, only the Tendu plot was farmed organically, but due to the high quality of the grapes harvested, the entire vineyard is now organic, making a small contribution to California agriculture.
This second vintage of Mataro (Mourvedre) is sourced from the Windmill Vineyard on poor, weathered gravelly alluvial soils (Corning Series).
This is a certified organic (CCOF) vineyard in the Woodlands area of Yolo County in the Dunnigan Hills AVA, at a relatively low elevation where daytime temperatures can get quite high.
Fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts.
It was aged for 5 months in old barrels and bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Owner winemaker Steve Mathiason is one of Napa Valley's leading vineyard consultants.
His clients include Eiseley, Chappelle and Spottswoode, and he is known for producing well-balanced grapes.
Massaiason is a small winery that is entirely family run.
The white wines that Steve produces are modelled on those from the Friuli region of Italy, while his red wines are mainly Bordeaux style.
We believe in hands-on farming, and as much as possible we do all the farm work ourselves.
And Steve has surprised the entire California wine industry by preferring to harvest three to four weeks earlier than usual, a key factor in determining the wine's flavor.
In 2014, he was named Winemaker of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, a leading American newspaper, and is a talented young winemaker with promising future prospects.
For Steve Mathiason, making wine is simply an extension of working in the vineyard.
The grapes used for Massaiason come from vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, all of which are personally managed by Steve throughout the growing season.
Steve is a specialist in bringing out the inherent characteristics and aromas of grape varieties in wine.
He specializes in the ubiquitous Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as varieties not commonly seen in Napa Valley, such as Ribolla Gialla and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
Whatever the variety, his job is simply to allow the wine to reflect the characteristics of the soil and the variety in which the grapes are grown.
The characteristics of Massaison wines are their refreshing taste, which makes them perfect for pairing with food, and their lower alcohol content than regular California wines.
By using cultivation methods suited to each field, we are able to grow grapes with a concentrated flavor, and by minimizing our desire for self-expression as winemakers and respecting the individuality of the grapes, we are able to produce well-balanced wines that are wrapped in aromatic fragrances.
A former member of In Pursuit of Balance (IPOB), a once-popular organization in California dedicated to the pursuit of well-balanced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the winery is renowned for producing elegant, vibrant wines reminiscent of Europe.