About this winery

Why Matchbook? As a farm kid growing up in the late 1950´s and early 1960´s John Giguiere was a confirmed pyromaniac starting various things on fire such as his father´s wheat field. At one point, fearing total ruin from his kids burning him out of the house and farm, his father took them to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon his brother and him the futility of their fascination with fire. John and his brother answered at a later date by graduating from random fires to the...

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Product notes

East of Napa, Left of Center: The Giguiere family embodies Dunnigan Hills winemaking. In 1981 they pioneered grape-growing in this region when they planted their very first vineyard. By 1993 they’d succeeded in making the Dunnigan Hills a nationally recognized American appellation. The Matchbook flame is an homage to the Giguiere brothers’ youthful fascination with fire. Today Matchbook Wine Company produces over 15 wines showcasing the varietals that perform best in a warm, dry climate.

Production notes

Six different clones of Chardonnay were artfully blended to create this wine. All the grapes were picked at night and delivered to the winery before sunrise to ensure the fruit was crushed when cool. The barrel fermented lots were lees stirred twice a month to enhance texture and mouthfeel. Most of the tank fermented lots were barreled down to complete aging. The Musqué clone 809 was tank fermented where it remained to hold on to all of its special fruit characters. Yeast “cocktails” were used (a mixture of the winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) on all lots to allow complex fermentation characters to evolve in the wine.

Tasting notes

The 2017 Matchbook Chardonnay opens up with aromas of honey and floral perfume framed by a beautiful barrel expression of vanilla and crème brûlée. Flavors of sweet fruit, peach pit, and ripe honeydew melon mingle with subtle notes of tropical fruit and butterscotch. The creamy texture is balanced by a bright, crisp finish. The Old Head, Estate Bottled Chardonnay is a showcase wine for the Dunnigan Hills terroir.