Michael Muscardini of Muscardini Cellars

The Muscardini/Caton Tasting Room. (Kat Montgomery)By Sandrew Montgomery

Michael Muscardini is the quintessential Sonoma Winemaker: he’s Italian, down-to-earth and extremely passionate about his craft. “Bottled with love for the joy of living” is embossed on every bottle of the less than 3,000 case total production. This phrase, coined by wife Robyn, embodies the spirit that is Muscardini Cellars, voted “Best Micro Winery” for reds at the California State Fair.

It’s a classic story starting with Michael’s Grandfather, Emilio Alchera, who was born in the village of Calliano, just outside of the city of Asti in the Piemonte region of Italy. Emilio came to America in 1909 via Ellis Island in New York and promptly headed to the West Coast by train to meet his two brothers, Antonio and Louis. He settled in San Francisco where he owned some corner grocery stores until he opened St. Helena Napa Wine Company, where he gladly poured his homemade wine from the barrel right into the jug for his customers. There is a great picture in the tasting room depicting this rich tradition that carries on at 8910 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood, California. Here you can also taste the wines of buddy and fellow Vintner, Ty Caton.

“My goal here is to make food-friendly wines that have a strong fruit component to them,” says the affable Muscardini. I can attest to this, having conducted a Food and Wine pairing for a sold-out crowd last year. “We specialize in Sangiovese, Syrah, Barbera and my flagship wine ‘Tesoro,’ which is a proprietary blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet (Sauvignon) and Syrah.” And quite frankly, absolutely delicious.

Michael Muscardini in front of the first ever award “Best Micro Winery” (for Reds). (Kat Montgomery)Michael is not only winemaker and marketer for his own brand, but is quite active in the wine community, serving as president of The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance (SVVGA) for the second year in a row, but he will always make time for customers, as I witnessed firsthand. We had just finished our interview and he was literally out the door and heading down highway 12 when he got a call from two couples from Texas. He promptly turned around and came back to personally serve his repeat guests, who had met him last year and loved the wines – very impressive! “You just don’t get service like this anymore. Most wineries are too big or don’t care about giving you this kind of attention,” remarked one of the Texans. “That’s why we come back!” Indeed!

If you would like Michael to take you through his award-winning wines, you can usually find him there on the weekends or make a private appointment to taste “upstairs.” You can contact him through the website: www.MuscardiniCellars.com, where you will also find a list of scheduled events, including my next food and wine pairing there.

Sandrew Montgomery with his Tasse du Vin in front of the Muscardini Library wines (before the Food and Wine Pairing that he conducted for them). (Kat Montgomery)Here’s my take on the wines:
2009 Rosato di Sangiovese, “Monte Rosso Vineyards,” (bone dry), $22:
Nose: Blood orange peel and ripe wild strawberry with earthy, mineral accents.
Palate: Watermelon and a rose pedal finish.

2007 Sangiovese “Pauli Ranch, Ukiah Valley,” Mendocino, $42: Double Gold, Best of Class, Orange County Fair
Nose: toasty oak, vanilla, plum, pomegranate, potpourri spice, mint, roasted coffee and anise.
Palate: blackberry, red and black plums, sage, black pepper, orange pekoe tea, velvety tannins and great color.

2008 Barbera “Pauli Ranch, Ukiah Valley,” Mendocino, $42:
Nose: blueberry, blueberry pie filling, violets, vanilla, cedar, and sandalwood.
Palate: red plum, pomegranate and blackberry liqueur.

2007 Syrah “Gracie Creek, Sonoma Valley,” $42:  Double gold-Best of Class, SF Chronicle competition
A cool climate syrah that only yields two tons per acre.
Nose: big tannins give way to violets, black plum, perfume, cardamom, red delicious apple skin and cedar.
Palate: black plum, blackberry preserve, white pepper and spice rack.

2007 “Tesoro” (Cal/Ital Super Tuscan), $49:
Nose: smoke, toast, mocha, raspberry, cassis and Asian spices.
Palate: plum, raspberry and spice box – very smooth finish with all components well integrated and in balance.