Monte Rio Cellars Clements Hills Skin-Contact Vermentino

Monte Rio Cellars’ “The Bench” Skin-Contact Vermentino is an expressive, minimal-intervention wine that bridges the white and orange wine worlds. Grown in the biodynamically farmed Bench Vineyard in the Clements Hills AVA of Lodi, this Vermentino is hand-harvested and fermented on skins for 30 days in open-top tanks, with daily cap submergence. After skin contact, it is gently pressed and aged (five months) in neutral vessels to preserve freshness and varietal clarity. The result is a richly textured yet vivid wine, combining apricot blossoms, tangerine zest, black tea notes, and a subtle savory edge. With bright acidity and a long finish, it’s ideal for adventurous white wine drinkers seeking nuance, character, and typicity of place.