Article – Matchbook Wines

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November 29th, 2022

Matchbook is Certified Green

by: Lane Giguiere

Maybe you’ve noticed the sheep. Or you’ve seen the carpet of green grass, peas and flowers blanketing the vineyard floor.

Both are evidence of Matchbook’s conversion from conventional farming to regenerative and organic. Three years into this project, our sustainable efforts have been recognized by Project Harvest’s California Rules Sustainable Winegrowing certification on the 400 acres of estate vineyards.

The California Rules Certified Green seal signifies a third-party audited commitment to farming that is environmentally and socially responsible while also being economically viable. This credential is just the first step in our mission to become certified organic and regenerative.

While the winery’s initial goal of improving vine health through regenerative farming was to increase the quality of our Estate Bottled wines, “The environmental benefits are now as big a focus,” says John Giguiere, owner of Matchbook Wine Company. The prolonged drought and rising costs make the move to regenerative agriculture more important. Cover crops, grazing sheep and compost teas have eliminated the need for synthetic fertilizers, created a carbon sink and increased the water-holding capacity of the soil.

“It’s been invigorating to take on this large and very important project at this stage of our careers,” Giguiere continues. “Reversing 40 years of farming philosophy is not easy, but we see the need to reduce our farming inputs and water usage while increasing quality and profitability. Sustainable and regenerative agriculture is a win for both the farmer and the environment.”

The California Rules Certified Green Sustainable Winegrowing seal will be added to Matchbook’s estate grown wines beginning with the 2022 vintage.

June 3rd, 2019

Matchbook Dads

by: Virginia Valdez Sandfer

We asked Dads at Matchbook to describe their perfect Father’s Day. The responses were the same across the board – a great meal and some wine!

Pat Kane  | President and CEO
The perfect Father’s Day “weekend” for me is with my two sons, in Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series. This includes dining at one of the fine restaurants in The Old Market while enjoying a glass (or two) of Mossback Chalk Hill Cabernet.

Rob W. | Senior Accountant
Spending time with family, watching baseball on TV or at the ballpark. Just soaking it all in while sipping on Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Rob V. | Regional Manager, Central U.S.
My Father’s Day is celebrated in three stages. The morning always includes Sunday brunch with eggs Benedict topped with crab meat and paired with Matchbook Chardonnay. The afternoon is spent at the ballpark watching my son, Ian, play baseball. Chances are Tinto Rey Rosé will be in the Yeti tumbler. The evening will include some chillin’ and grillin’ pork tenderloin and veggies paired with The Arsonist Red Blend.

Javier S. | Lead Bottling Line Operator
I like to spend the day with my family at home – throwing some carne asada on the grill and drinking Matchbook Cabernet (and tequila, of course!)

 

Blake W. | Central Division Sales Manager
I will be spending it with my wife Kelly, my daughters Casey and Hunter and their husbands. The day will be spent on the boat, enjoying some sunshine (hopefully), good conversation and laughs with a cooler full of Tinto Rey Rosé and Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc. We will follow that up with grilled ribeye, wild mushroom risotto, a summer salad, and The Arsonist Red Blend to wash it all down.

Greg G. | Director of Vineyard Operations
Make breakfast with the kids and spend the entire day together. We barbecue steak or ribs with a side of corn, green beans and watermelon. It’s a total summer BBQ! Paired with Tinto Rey Super Tinto Red Blend to complement the tangy BBQ sauce!  

John T. | Director of National Accounts
Wake up early, drink a cup of pour over BRIDGE coffee (my new fave), read the SF Chronicle newspaper front to back, go for a 5-mile run, relax by the pool, then I cook up special family BBQ (cowboy steaks and veggies) to honor me. With all that activity, I go to bed early. It’s the only day I break my rule no drinking on Sunday. My favorite wines of the day: mid-day Tinto Rey Rosé and for dinner –The Arsonist Red Blend.

Ken B. | Regional Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic
My perfect Father’s Day is brunch with the kids and grandkids. Dogs won’t let us sleep in, ever! Brunch would be eggs Benedict with hash browns. Tinto Rey Verdejo and Rosé followed up with oranges and whipped cream. One day to be spoiled and pay no attention to eating right.

Matt Q. | Graphic Designer
Wake up late to a good breakfast. Hang out with my family. End the day with grilling a good dinner paired with Matchbook Chardonnay.

 

Jose C. | Cellar Master
I like to drink  The “Red King” so I can celebrate Father’s Day like a king! I pair it with a custom baked pizza with all the toppings – Canadian bacon, pepperoni, arugula, mozzarella and fresh roasted garlic. 

Miguel C. | Cellar Crew 
I spend my Father’s Day at home with my family and a home cooked meal with a chilled glass of an old favorite – Musque Chardonnay.

 

Happy Father’s Day! We hope you enjoy your day with a glass of wine in hand to celebrate.

Visit our tasting room Sunday – Thursday 11am – 4:30pm or Friday & Saturday 11am – 8:30pm to pick up wine for the day. Or give Dad a day off from the grill and join us for a pre-Father’s Day celebration at the Matchbook Tasting Room. Sip wine and enjoy Rollin’ Roadhouse BBQ and live music by Whiskey Moonlight on Saturday, June 15th from 5 – 8pm.

 

October 18th, 2018

A New Generation of Packaging

by: Lane Giguiere

Matchbook Wine Company is excited to introduce a new intriguing and luxurious package design. The new label is a full wrap detailed with a continuous deckled edge. The front panel features a small burn atop Matchbook’s iconic flame, paying homage to the Matchbook moniker.

“After 11 years it was time for a label refresh”, says John Giguiere Owner of Matchbook Wine Company. The Dunnigan Hills winery’s iconic full-paneled, burnt-edged label has been replaced by a sleek wrap label that highlights the Estate Bottled offerings.

The new label is recognizably Matchbook, with a modern twist. The distinct vertical logo has been flipped to horizontal highlighted by a red foil flame. The burnt notch on the upper right remains as an homage to the original burned edge. The label has a “matchstick x” boarder treatment and the Estate Bottled designation is prominently displayed.

The Matchbook brand features four varietals, all grown and farmed by the Giguiere family in the Dunnigan Hills AVA in northern California.

Coinciding with the brand refresh, Matchbook is proud to announce the inaugural release of  Matchbook 2016 Estate Bottled Petite Sirah, along with a fan favorite, Matchbook 2017 Estate Bottled Chardonnay. The 2017 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon and 2016 Matchbook Estate Bottled Petit Verdot coming soon in 2019.

“We are constantly looking at ways to improve the quality of our vineyards and wines. Tweaking the appearance of our packaging highlights our innovative focus and keeps us current with consumer trends,” states John Giguiere.

About Matchbook Wine Company

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 had 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 our warm, dry climate.

October 16th, 2018

Just 4 Fun! Matchbook Employees Wax Poetic

by: Virginia Valdez Sandfer

This month the Matchbook Tasting Room will be celebrating it’s 4  Year Anniversary. Continuing with our theme of 4’s – we asked the Matchbook team to describe their favorite wine. Easy enough right? Here’s the catch … use only 4 words. The results are funny, bold and poetic!

 

Aileen M. | Art Department

Tinto Rey Verdejo:
“Sip, savor, relax, repeat.”

 

Lane Giguiere | Owner

2017 Matchbook Chardonnay
“Love the new label!”

 

Pat Kane  | President and CEO

The Arsonist Red Blend
“There aren’t enough words.”

 

Rob V. | Regional Manager, Central U.S.

  •   “More Scores Since Four Years Ago” -Abe Lincoln (It’s not 4 words but kinda funny)
  •   The Arsonist Red Blend: Jammy, Chewy, Oaky, Delicious!
  •   Tinto Rey Rosé: Tempranillo, Tannat, Verdejo, Yummy!
  •   Top 4 wines in Texas: The Arsonist Red Blend, Matchbook Chardonnay, The Arsonist Chardonnay, Black’s Station Cabernet Sauvignon

Aimee Giguiere | Vineyard Operations

Matchbook Estate Bottled Wines:
“Winning wines made here”

 

Richard P.| Tasting Room

Matchbook Petite Sirah
“such a fine wine.”

 

John T. | Director National Retail

The Arsonist Red Blend
“A Star is Born”

Tinto Rey Rosé:
“Pretty Woman. The Wine.”

Ken B. | Division Manager – Atlantic South

The Arsonist Red Blend
“The fire in me.”

Discover our The Matchbook Tasting Room’s Top 4 Selling Wines! Click here.

 

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