Crew Wines is owned and operated by the Gugiere family. After founding and selling R.H. Philips, John, his wife Lane and brother Karl decided to focus on a new venture – to produce approachable, food-friendly wines that showcase a specific terroir or varietal. Established in 2005, Crew Wines was named in honor of the many staff members who left R.H. Phillips to help them start Crew. Matchbook Vineyards showcase the terroir of Dunnigan Hills and the California coast. To that end, the team has spent a great deal of time identifying and nurturing only those varietals that have a proven propensity to grow well in region. Occasionally, small percentages of coastal fruit may be added to the blend to intensify natural aromas and flavors. Matchbook wines are a tongue in cheek homage to John and Karl’s childhood when they used to get into trouble for lighting matches and setting off rockets.

Tasting notes

Aromas of baked apples, pineapple, vanilla bean, cream and cinnamon are prominent with undertones of brown sugar, fig and melon. Flavors of caramel apples and creme brulee are balanced by hints of stone fruit and a crisp, mineral finish.

Wine maker notes

Six different clones of chardonnay were used in this wine and all were picked at night and delivered to the winery before sunrise to ensure that fresh cool grapes were crushed. Clone 809 (the most exotic) was cold tank fermented to enhance its Muscat character. The other lots were barrel fermented and periodically lees stirred. Yeast “cocktails” (a mixture of the winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) were used on all lots to ensure complex fermentation characters would evolve in the wine. Chardonnay from the Matchbook Vineyard was blended with a small percentage of Russian River Valley Chardonnay to balance the acidity and add characters of intense Pippin apples and floral spice.

Technical notes

Chardonnay from a sustainably farmed vineyard in Dunnigan Hills (98%) was barrel fermented in French and Hungarian oak (22% new) with periodic battonage. The remaining 2% was sourced from the Russian River Valley (2%) and fermented in stainless steel.

Other text

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 launching of rockets which often blew up at some stage of the its journey resulting in more random fires and a call to the local fire department for help. They eventually grew out of this fascination with the “Matchbook” but still have fond memories of the power they possessed. About the Appellation Matchbook has seven products, all focusing on varietals that perform well in the warm Dunnigan Hills climate. We blend a percentage of coastal fruit to the Dunnigan Hills wines to add structure and intensify flavors.