Matthiasson Winery, Semillon 2021, Yount Mill Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley, CA

Steve Matthiasson says this is “an homage to the long-aging Semillons of yester-year.” It’s got a bright nose full of lemon verbena, lime zest, and kiwi. On the palate it’s rich, silky, and plump—with a streak of minerality and a clean finish. Exclusive to Bonde.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: California

APPELLATION (AVA): Yountville

REGION: Napa Valley

VINEYARD: Yount Mill Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2021

GRAPES: Semillion

SOIL: Alluvial, gravel

PRACTICE: Organic, dry-farmed, minimal intervention

VINIFICATION: Lightly whole-cluster-pressed and fermented in neutral barrels. Ten months of barrel aging in which malolactic fermentation was blocked. Filtered before bottling.

PRODUCTION: 258 cases produced.

AGING POTENTIAL: Can be drunk now but will reward much longer aging. 

STYLE: Still

BODY: Light to medium bodied

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: Lemon verbena, lime zest, kiwi, dried fig

FLAVOR: Rich and silky, plump, minerality, clean finish

FORMAT: 750ml

ALCOHOL: 10.5%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve chilled. Pair with roast turkey with cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, cacio e pepe, lobster & vegetable risotto, curried lentils.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Steve Matthiasson

MATTHIASSON is a family endeavor, the effort of Steve and Jill Klein Matthiasson, and their two young sons. They have both had life-long careers in sustainable agriculture, and we apply those ideals of balance, restraint, and respect for the individual—and for the whole—to their wine. Their production is simple but careful. This concept is central to the tradition of viticulture and winemaking. Respect for this tradition forms the core of their work. To that end, their hands literally touch every vine and every bottle.

Steve Matthiasson started out as a vineyard guy, not a winemaker, but with clients that included Araujo, Spottswoode, Chappellet, and Stag's Leap, Matthiasson gleaned valuable info on creating fresh, vibrant new wines. With his “grapes come first” sensibility, his skill at balancing lusciousness with crisp intensity and his fascination with little-known varieties, Matthiasson is helping to change the Napa Valley paradigm.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: The Yount Mill Vineyard

“The Yount Mill Vineyard was one of the first certified organic vineyards in Napa Valley—they never stopped farming organically back in the post-war period when folks started using the new-fangled chemicals. Located in deep soil near the Napa River, the vines are mostly dry-farmed, and tended with minimal intervention—they are allowed to grow a little wild. The cool winds are drawn up the valley over the vineyard, allowing white grapes to maintain their vibrant freshness.” (matthiasson.com)

ABOUT THE LABEL: All of the art on Matthiasson’s labels are stylized vintage pruning shears, as an homage to the vineyards and those that work with the vines. The labels with just one pruning shear indicate more limited production wines. The labels are created by noted graphic artist Michael McDermott, who “is interested in the relationship between people and the objects they leave behind and the translation of physical experiences into digital spaces.” (mwmcdermott.com)