The new label includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay representing the best of the region and over 100 years of family history.
LODI, Calif. (March 7, 2022) – Oak Ridge Winery, the oldest operating winery in California’s Lodi winegrowing region, is pleased to announce the debut of its Maggio Estates label this spring. Maggio Estates ushers in an elevated style of winemaking for Oak Ridge Winery and the Maggio family, exemplifying the very best wines that the region has to offer. The Maggio Estates collection includes two premium estate-grown wines, both Certified Green under the Lodi Rules Sustainable Winegrowing Program: Maggio Estates 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and Maggio Estates 2020 Chardonnay.
Maggio translates to “May” in Italian and it represents the new growth associated with spring, the promise of a fruitful harvest, and the family’s continued commitment to sustainable winegrowing practices. The label illustration depicts a blooming vine as a nod to Italy’s annual Calendimaggio celebration, marking the arrival of spring, as well as the Maggios’ Italian roots.
“Maggio Estates is unlike anything else we’ve produced at Oak Ridge,” said Laura Chadwell, Chief Winemaker at Oak Ridge Winery. “The combination of premium, sustainably-grown fruit, use of leading industry technology, and our team’s hands-on winemaking approach really shine through in these wines.”
Of the 2,500 acres that comprise the Maggio Estate, the winemaking team selected the very best lots to produce the inaugural vintage of this namesake wine, choosing established vines in Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA to produce optimal sugar with balanced acidity. When it came time for harvest, the team hand-picked ripe clusters and chilled the grapes by the night air to preserve peak aromas and flavors.
Maggio Estates not only celebrates the Maggio family’s pinnacle as vintners, but also represents a renaissance in winemaking for Oak Ridge Winery. The winery invested in state-of-the-art equipment to craft these wines, including The Pellenc Selectiv’ Process Vision 2 optical sorter – currently the only one of its kind in Lodi.
This year marks the Maggio family’s 20t anniversary as proprietors of Oak Ridge Winery, which was originally built in 1934 as a winemaking cooperative. The Maggios’ winegrowing legacy goes back many generations, however, to 1906 when Angelo Maggio first arrived in Lodi from the Italian coast of Genova.
As multigenerational farmers, Angelo, his son Roy, and eventually his grandson Rudy grew grapes to supply to winemakers around the country. Today, Rudy’s three daughters Lisa, Raquel and Shelley oversee operations at Oak Ridge Winery, with a strong focus on community, premiumization, sustainability, and brand building.
“We’re proud to introduce Maggio Estates not only as an elevated label that showcases the best of Lodi, but also as an homage to our great-grandfather Angelo,” said Raquel Casity, General Manager at Oak Ridge Winery. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without his dedication to and passion for winegrowing and look forward to carrying on the Maggio family legacy for many more years to come.”
Maggio Estates 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi (14.5% ABV, $29.99)
Ripe boysenberry and plum on the nose with freshly grated nutmeg and sweet brown sugar spice. Flavors of ripe brambly fruit, black cherry, plum, sweet baking spice, with plush tannins. Hints of coffee and tobacco round out a lingering finish. Aged for 12+ months in hand-selected, fine-grained French oak barrels.
Maggio Estates 2020 Chardonnay, Lodi (14.5% ABV, $29.99)
Vivid tropical notes of pineapple and papaya on the nose, with an opulent, creamy texture. Ripe peach flavors are complemented by buttered toast characteristics. Aged sur lie for 8 to 10 months in French oak.
About Oak Ridge Winery:
Originally built in 1934, Oak Ridge Winery operated for many years as a winemaking cooperative. The winery was purchased by Rudy Maggio, a third-generation winegrower, in 2002 and his three daughters continue to oversee operations today. The Maggio family has called Lodi home for over 100 years and takes pride in their role as stewards of the land. All of their 2,500 acres of estate vineyards are farmed in accordance with Lodi Rules, a third-party sustainability certification created for the Lodi Appellation that signifies a commitment to rigorous, scientifically-sound sustainable winegrowing. Oak Ridge Winery’s portfolio has expanded over the years and today includes 1906 Vintners, Blazon, Maggio, Maggio Estates, Moss Roxx, OZV, Old Soul, T.N.T., and Three Girls. To learn more visit oakridgewinery.com or follow @oakridgewinery on social media.
