Sandlands Mataro Contra Costa County 2021
We have 15 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Contra Costa County is a land of extremes—intense sun, old vines, and deep, sandy soils that have preserved some of California’s most historic plantings. Contra Costa County lies in the eastern reaches of the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers converge to form the Carquinez Strait. These own-rooted Mataro (Mourvèdre) vines, many over a century old, thrive in the well-draining, phylloxera-resistant sands near the Sacramento River Delta. The warm days ensure full ripeness, while the cooling influence of the nearby waterways brings freshness and lift, allowing for wines of both concentration and balance. This is California heritage winemaking at its finest—old vines speaking with quiet power through the hands of a skilled vintner.
The Wine
The 2021 Sandlands Mataro is a pure, unadorned expression of old-vine Mourvèdre—dark, earthy, and structured, yet vibrant and restrained. Aged in neutral oak to highlight its sense of place, the wine unfolds with notes of blackberry, dried plum, and black cherry, underscored by hints of wild herbs, crushed stone, and a touch of smoked meat. The palate is taut and energetic, with firm tannins and bright acidity lending precision to its deep, savory core. A mineral-laced, slightly saline finish lingers, and with the few years of age, this wine is showing beautifully right now!
The People
Tegan Passalacqua, the mind behind Sandlands, has built a reputation for championing California’s forgotten vineyards—particularly those rooted in sandy soils and planted to lesser-known varieties. As the head winemaker and vineyard manager for Turley Wine Cellars, his deep respect for California’s viticultural history shines through in his own label. His approach is one of minimal intervention: native yeast fermentations, neutral oak aging, and an unwavering commitment to transparency in the glass. With Sandlands, Passalacqua continues to prove that California’s past holds the key to its most compelling wines.
Food Pairings:
1. Smoked Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Herbs – The wine’s dark fruit and savory depth complement the smoky richness of slow-cooked pork, while its bright acidity cuts through the fat, keeping the flavors lively and balanced.
2. Grilled Eggplant and Halloumi with Chimichurri – The wine’s earthy, herbal notes enhance the smoky char of grilled eggplant, while its bright acidity and minerality provide a refreshing contrast to the salty, seared halloumi and zesty chimichurri.
3. Spiced Lamb Kofta with Yogurt Sauce – The wine’s structured tannins and dark fruit harmonize with the warming spices in the lamb, while its acidity and mineral edge cut through the richness, making each bite feel fresh and vibrant.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Lodi and the Sierra Foothills, while distinct regions, share a common thread as areas of California that offer a different experience from the state's more famous coastal appellations. Lodi, located in the Central Valley east of San Francisco and just south of Sacramento, is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights, benefiting from delta breezes. The Sierra Foothills, as the name suggests, lies further east, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with varied elevations and a warmer, drier climate. Both areas have a large quantity of old vines, proof of a long history of grape growing. Often seen as an insider's secret, these areas are garnering increased attention for their ability to produce Zinfandel, along with other varieties, offering distinct expressions of California terroir.
California - Lodi & Sierra Foothills
"Unknown" farming method indicates that the specific vineyard practices used to produce the wine have not yet been clearly identified or verified. Due to limited publicly available information, complexity of research, or lack of transparency from certain wineries, it can sometimes be challenging to accurately categorize each vineyard's farming practices. Our team is actively working to research and update our records to provide the most accurate information on every wine we offer. We understand the importance of transparency and sustainability and strive to categorize and communicate farming methods as quickly and comprehensively as possible.
