Napa producer with western Oak Knoll vineyards, native yeast, minimal sulfur dioxide, Cabernet Sauvignon and Linda Vista Chardonnay.
The producer
Steve Matthiasson is the founder, farmer and winemaker, a viticulturist and organic farmer. Jill Matthiasson manages sales and brand strategy and farms the family's Napa vineyards and heirloom fruit tree orchards with Steve. Steve has been named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine and the San Francisco Chronicle and has received six James Beard Award nominations. The winery's Napa address is 3175 Dry Creek Road, Napa, California 94558.
Known for
Napa wines from varied grapes
Notable facts
Steve Matthiasson is a viticulturist and organic farmer.
Steve Matthiasson has received six James Beard Award nominations.
Jill Matthiasson manages sales and brand strategy.
The winery's address is 3175 Dry Creek Road, Napa, California 94558.
The story
Ribolla Gialla Reaches Oak Knoll
In 2001, George Vare received a few sticks of Ribolla Gialla budwood from Josko Gravner in Friuli, Italy, and grafted it into his vineyard. Steve Matthiasson began overseeing that Napa vineyard the following year and helped propagate the vines. Budwood is a piece of a vine used to create new plants with the selected variety. Ribolla Gialla now grows at the Matthiasson home in western Oak Knoll, alongside Refosco, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tocai Friulano, Petit Verdot and Schioppettino.
From the atlas
Matthiasson Family Vineyards
A Napa producer in western Oak Knoll, growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and several other grape varieties.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Place
Western Oak Knoll, Napa Valley
Red wine
Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
White wine
Matthiasson Linda Vista Chardonnay
Cellar approach
Native yeast and minimal sulfur dioxide
The Producer
Steve Matthiasson is the founder, farmer and winemaker, as well as a viticulturist and organic farmer. Jill manages sales and brand strategy and farms the family's Napa vineyards and heirloom fruit tree orchards with Steve. The winery makes moderate alcohol wines designed to accompany food.
Place
The family's home vineyard lies in western Oak Knoll, in Napa Valley. It carries Refosco, Cabernet Franc, Ribolla Gialla, Merlot, Tocai Friulano, Petit Verdot and Schioppettino. Linda Vista lies in the same western Oak Knoll area, which Matthiasson identifies as one of Napa's classic Chardonnay locations. The place connects a mixed home planting with a named Chardonnay site.
Wines
Two named bottles show the range's red and white sides. Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a red North Coast wine, while Matthiasson Linda Vista Chardonnay is a white North Coast wine. Cabernet Sauvignon generally brings tannin and dark fruit; Chardonnay generally brings acidity and a lighter frame. Linda Vista places the Chardonnay in western Oak Knoll.
The cellar relies on native yeast and minimal sulfur dioxide, without other additives. Depending on the fruit, grapes are destemmed or kept as whole bunches. Whole bunches leave stems in the fermenting wine and can add spice and tannin; destemming removes that stem contribution.
Final Word
Matthiasson combines western Oak Knoll with a varied set of grape varieties, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Linda Vista Chardonnay represent the two named wines in the range.