North America | Napa Valley, California | Matthiasson

Matthiasson

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Wines

 

Summary

First and foremost, Jill and Steve Matthaisson are environmentalists. The couple have had life-long careers in sustainable agriculture, and they apply those ideals to their way of life and their wine.

Jill studied botany at Penn, researched ancient farming techniques in Israel, and studied traditional methods for soil health in grad school at UC Davis. She pioneered “farmer to farmer” networking for sustainability in the early 90s while working for a family farming non-profit, and ran programs training farmers on direct sales, such as CSAs and farmers markets, before local food had the momentum that it has now. As the family grew, that passion translated into more local action, like teaching cooking from the garden classes in the local school, and serving on the Napa Farmer’s Market board. Jill manages the business side of the family farming and wine business.

As a long standing vineyard consultant, Steve teaches and makes decisions, such as when to water and how to prune, on vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma. Steve's current clients include Araujo Estate, Spottswoode, Chappellet, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Long Meadow Ranch, Trefethen, Limerick Lane, and others. On his own vineyards, however, Steve cares for the vines with his own hands, driving the tractor at night, and working with the crews on Sundays.

Since their arrival, the Matthiassons have been at the forefront of “The New California” wine producers who are no longer interested in over-ripe and high-alcohol wines. over-ripe flavor profiles. Their wines are made from organically sourced grapes and winery practices are kept to a minimum.