Muscardini Cellars, based out of Sonoma California, is a small family owned and operated winery. Their tasting room is a delight to visit, located inside a historic red schoolhouse from the 1860s. Their staff is attentive, knows guests and members by name, and focuses on giving guests amazing experiences such as blind tastings, food pairings and musical adventures.
I also love how they choose their grapes from sustainably grown vineyards (in some cases biodynamic and organic too!).
But the real star of Muscardini Cellars is the wine. I can't wait to introduce them to you and make you a fan also!
This Barbera is a big wine: high in acid and body, with well integrated tannins and a nice long finish. It's drinking well now but could even benefit from another 5 years in the bottle. Complex with notes of blackberries and blueberry compote, fig and ripe fruits. It also comes with a bacon/umami/meaty characteristic that are interestingly juxtaposed to the floral notes, baking spices, toastiness, some tobacco, leather, tomato leaf, plum, caramel and vanilla imbued with some oak aging, this is a powerhouse of flavor! Pairs well with hearty minestrone soup, pesto gnocchi, pork tenderloin stuffed with fruit compote, and braised lamb.