Pair the Winning Wines with Empanadas at Gold Medal Madness – March 12th and 13th
Kenwood, CA (March 4, 2022) — With a focus on tradition and family, relationships are at the heart of Muscardini Cellars. At that heart’s core are the relationships that proprietor Michael Muscardini has cultivated in the vineyards with the growers he receives phenomenal fruit from every year. Such relationships are just one reason Muscardini Cellars has continued to produce Italian style wines that embrace Old World thinking with New World drinking. Uniquely, even their non-Italian varietally produced wines are made in such a way that a similar Italian winemaking style and spirit is coerced forth.
Muscardini himself continually nods to the fact that lovingly tended-to, and sustainably farmed grapes, account for so much of his success – “Great wine is made in the vineyard. Sure, everybody says that now, but if you want a good balance between fruit and acidity, you have to grow it”.
Muscardini Cellars walked away with a Double Gold at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for his 2016 Merlot from Sangiacomo Vineyards – a vineyard typically known for producing outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit. Additionally, from a field of over 5,000 entries, Muscardini Cellars took home gold for 6 additional wines, see the full list of winners below.
The Merlot that the Sangiacomo family grows in their clay and loam-based soils, as well as the cooler climate that the San Pablo Bay winds provide that region, help to pull forth more lively acidity and lip-smacking bright red fruit from this varietal, making it a beautiful standalone wine and a perfect accompaniment to Italian winemaking in a boutique Italian wine portfolio.
Join Muscardini Cellars in celebrating their recent gold and double-gold medal winning wines from this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition on Saturday and Sunday March 12th and 13th 2022 from 12-4pm. They’ll be highlighting a tasting flight that features some of their recent award winners paired with empanadas from a local purveyor; Vinoma Tapas Argentinas.
The event will feature a welcome pour of either the 2020 Rose of Syrah or 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, followed by a flight of select award winning wines. $30 General Public | $15 Wine Club Members, book your reservation here. Tasting menu includes the following:
- 2018 Sangiovese, Alice Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
- Caprese Empanada: Arugula | Pesto | Tomatoes | Mixed Cheese
- 2016 Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Carneros
- Bacon & Plum Empanada: Plums | Bacon | Fontina & Mozzarella
- 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rancho Salina Vineyard Estate, Moon Mountain District
- Blueberry Cobbler Empanada: Blueberries | Lemon Zest
Muscardini is particularly partial to the Italian varietals Sangiovese and Barbera because of Michael Muscardini’s Italian heritage and also due to his grandfather who began making wine in Italy before emigrating to America in 1909. Muscardini’s formative years as a student at the California College of Arts and Crafts along with his 27 years as a general contractor helped to shape his artistic eye and prepare him for embracing the craft of his family’s winemaking roots.
In 2006, a year after selling his first vintage, he blended some Sangiovese with Syrah and Cabernet to produce a Tesoro, his flagship blend, that has won Best in Class in many competitions throughout the years. If the past is any guide, it’s safe to assume that Michael Muscardini has many more barrels filled with gold, just waiting to be bottled.
2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Awards for Muscardini Cellars
- DOUBLE GOLD ~ 2016 Merlot, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Carneros
- GOLD ~ 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Cassata Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
- GOLD ~ 2017 Fortuna, Proprietary Red Blend, Moon Mountain District
- GOLD ~ 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rancho Salina Vineyard Estate, Moon Mountain District
- GOLD ~ 2018 Sangiovese, Alice Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
- GOLD ~ 2018 Zinfandel, Los Chamizal Vineyards, Sonoma Valley
- GOLD ~ 2019 Tesoro, Proprietary Red Blend, California
About Muscardini Cellars
Proprietor Michael Muscardini has been a maverick winemaker in Sonoma Valley for over 15 years – he is one of the winemakers that has been leading the way in the revival of Sangiovese and Barbera wines in Sonoma since 2005. With a focus on tradition and family, relationships are at the heart of Muscardini Cellars, and Michael’s deep community ties and warm relationships with local growers enables him to source some of the best fruit for his wines from some of the most unique vineyards in Sonoma County and beyond. Located in Sonoma Valley, Muscardini Cellars produces just 5,000 cases a year of mostly classic Italian reds as well as robust blends and Cabernet Sauvignon. The tasting room is open daily and is located at 9380 Sonoma Highway. Visit the Muscardini Cellars website or call (707) 933-9305 to reserve a tasting experience, purchase wine, and join the wine club.
