Luna Matta Vineyard Aglianico
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 4–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Braised lamb shanks, roasted wild boar, aged pecorino cheese.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Aglianico, an ancient variety originally brought to Southern Italy by the Greeks and celebrated for its towering tannic structure and electric acidity, finds a dramatic expression in the Westside hills of Paso Robles. Grown at the organically farmed Luna Matta Vineyard, where steep slopes and high elevations expose the vines to chalky calcareous soils and intense diurnal temperature swings, this late-ripening grape achieves complete phenolic maturity while preserving its signature drive. Villa Creek approaches this formidable grape with a light touch, utilizing native yeast fermentations and aging in neutral cooperage to allow the site's distinctive terroir to shine through. The result is a deeply savory, complex red wine brimming with notes of dark plum, wild herbs, crushed stone minerality, and cured leather, seamlessly bridging Old World rustic elegance with California fruit purity.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 2001 by Cris and JoAnn Cherry, Villa Creek Cellars is located in the Westside hills of Paso Robles, California. Deeply rooted in organic and biodynamic farming principles, the estate cultivates Rhône and Mediterranean grape varieties at their high-elevation MAHA Estate vineyard on Peachy Canyon Road while partnering with exceptional local growers. Their winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention, native yeast fermentations, and neutral oak aging to authentically express the unique calcareous soils and microclimates of the region. Villa Creek is acclaimed for its vibrant, complex red wines, ranging from rich Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah blends to distinctive single-vineyard expressions such as the Luna Matta Vineyard Aglianico.