2023 Sandlands, Contra Costa County, Mataro

Under the Sandlands label, Tegan Passalacqua focuses on California’s viticultural heritage, sourcing this Mataro from own-rooted, dry-farmed vines planted in the deep Delhi sands of Contra Costa County. Utilizing whole-cluster fermentation and aging in neutral French oak, the winemaking emphasizes structural transparency and site-specificity over extraction. The 2023 vintage was defined by a historically long, cool growing season, which allowed for full physiological ripeness at lower potential alcohols while maintaining exceptional natural acidity. This climatic influence, combined with the well-drained, porous soils, results in a wine with a lean, vertical architecture and fine-grained, peppery tannins. The final profile prioritizes tension and mineral-driven depth over textural weight, offering a precise expression of the variety’s savory potential.