After working in some of California’s top kitchens including Cyrus, Quince, and the French Laundry, two former chefs, Marty Winters and Alex Pitts, decided to trade in their whites and in 2012 they founded Maitre de Chai. Today, Alex and Marty are joined by their respective partners, Stephanie Pitts (all things web) and Jessica Force (creative director, tasting room), who have helped grow Maître de Chai into one of the most dynamic independent wineries in California. Marty and Alex’s wine falls under what has been coined “The New California Wine”. Like others under that umbrella, they are taking a good dose of inspiration from California's centuries old winemaking traditions. But unlike many of their contemporaries, who tend to focus on esoteric varieties often planted in far off locals, they craft their wares from the varieties and regions that we associate with California’s vinous golden age; the 1970s. And like those wines they are looking for a certain sense of balance. That means lower alcohol, straightforward and honest winemaking with restrained fruit allowing the qualities of each of the phenomenal sites they work with to shine through. They source all of their fruit from family growers, many of them multigenerational. Almost all of the fruit they work with is organic, much of it coming from old-vines. Working with such dedicated gower is the key to their success. After all, their calling card is an uncompromising commitment to sourcing only the highest quality fruit, a carryover from Alex and Marty’s ingredient-driven ethos as chefs. I and many others have said time and time again; the best wine is made in the vineyard.
Details
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Grape Variety
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Vintage
2020
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Size
750ml
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Farming Practice
Organic
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Style
Elegant , Fruity
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Sweetness
Dry
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Body
Full Bodied