2020 Seabold Cellars Mourvèdre 'Rodnick Farm Vineyard'

100% Mourvedre sourced from the Rodnick Farm vineyard which boasts 30-year-old vines and is meticulously farmed using strict organic practices. It sits on the western slopes of the Gabilan Mountains, and the combination of its elevation (1,900 feet) and the rugged hillsides of the mountain make for a complex vineyard site that has a myriad of topography and experiences extreme diurnal shifts. Chris hand-harvested the Mourvèdre and allowed the fruit to remain on their stems as they were moved into bins for fermentation. The fruit was foot-treaded and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts found on the skins of the grapes. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was moved to neutral puncheons for 18 months of aging. During this time, Chris did absolutely nothing to the wine, allowing it to show its qualities without the aid or mask of any winemaking techniques or additives.

In the glass, this Mourvèdre presents a medium ruby hue. The nose is vibrant, offering aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate, interwoven with floral notes of violet and rose petal, and subtle hints of white pepper and herbes de Provence. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a lively acidity that enlivens the bright red fruit flavors. Fine-grained tannins provide structure, leading to a finish marked by a touch of minerality and lingering spice. This is a fresh and elegant expression of Mourvèdre, showcasing the grape's versatility and the unique terroir of the Chalone AVA.

Seabold Cellars was founded in 2014 by Master Sommelier Chris Miller. Located in the small town of Marina, the winery is at the epicenter of California’s Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz wine growing regions. Chris started his food and wine career at age 12 at his mother’s restaurant in New Orleans. Restaurant life transitioned from a means to an end to his life’s purpose after a revelatory wine tasting during a trip to Washington. A few months later, Chris moved to Seattle to completely immerse himself in the wine world as a sommelier at Canlis Restaurant and working harvests in Walla Walla Valley.

That dedication was quickly recognized, earning Chris the title of ‘Best Young Sommelier in the World’ and Wine & Spirits Magazine’s ‘Best New Sommelier in America’. Shortly thereafter, he was handpicked by Wolfgang Puck to realize a new vision for the wine program at Spago Beverly Hills. Chris’ Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning work has been featured in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Eater National, to name a few.