FAQS

What are the "Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing"?
They are California's first sustainable winegrowing standards that have been peer reviewed by scientists, academics and environmentalists and being implemented on a region-wide basis. The Lodi Rules are based on the Lodi Winegrower's Workbook and are designed to lead to measurable improvements in environmental health of the surrounding ecosystem, society-at-large, and wine quality. Participating growers can get their vineyards certified as producing sustainably-grown winegrapes.  Vino Con Brio's Amorosa Vineyard was certified in 2009. The Lodi Rules Program has two components: Sustainable winegrowing standards and Pesticide Environmental Assessment System that measures the environmental impact of all the pesticides, whether organic or synthetic, used in a vineyard during the year (PEAS).

What is Pinotage?
Pinotage is a South African varietal that is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. In the 1920's it was “created” by a professor at the University of Stellenbosch and has since become the heritage grape of South Africa. The weather in South Africa was too hot to grow Pinot Noir; by crossing it with Cinsault, it had the heat sturdiness to survive the warmer climate.  Now it is Lodi's version of "Pinot Noir on steroids"!

Why grow Pinotage in Lodi? 
Because hardly anyone else does! Mike decided to try growing Pinotage in Lodi because the microclimate is very similar to Cape Town, South Africa (same exact numbers on heat summation tables!). In addition, both areas have a sandy based soil. It has done remarkably well and we now appear to be the largest grower of Pinotage outside of South Africa and the only foreign member of the Pinotage Society of South Africa.

Why the 2 different wine labels?
Vino Con Brio means “wine with passion” so we feel our primary label should express liveliness and enthusiasm. Our second label, “Matzin”, is for our Zinfandel wines and is a tribute to our Danish heritage. The last name was originally “Matzen”, but the spelling was changed to “Matson” when Mike's ancestors passed through Ellis Island . The “Matzin” label took the bronze medal at the 10th Annual Beverage Packaging Global Design Awards in 2003. Both labels are silk-screened on our bottles with an Italian organic gold that is environmentally friendly and contains no trace elements.

Where is the Merlot, Cab and Chardonnay?
We like to do things a little differently at Vino Con Brio. Since it seems that every other winery on earth makes these varietals, we don't. It's time to try something new! Our goal is to focus on the varietals that do best in our two Lodi Appellation vineyards. Rhone, Italian and South African varietals prevail, as our climate is more similar to theirs. Zinfandel is also a huge hit in Lodi.  We do grow a tiny bit of Merlot, but it is only used to co-ferment with our Sangiovese.