Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/960891
april 2018 / the tasting panel / 61 friend Kevin is a self-described "recovering" California Cabernet drinker who finally discovered a Pinot Noir he could appreciate in Meiomi's lush style, and he's never looked back. When I mentioned I would be interviewing Melissa Stackhouse, Meiomi's Director of Winemaking, for The Tasting Panel, he begged me to ask for her autograph on a bottle of Pinot Noir. It should come as no surprise, then, that he was equally excited for Meiomi's new rosé, which launched nationally in March: Stackhouse's status as a rockstar winemaker is cemented with this new release, and with young consum- ers clamoring for dry rosés, my friend won't be the only one eager to get their hands on a bottle. In regards to Stackhouse herself, the effortlessly-cool winemaker drives a red pickup so old it's considered "a classic" and is the type to make good on a wager—no matter how embarrassing the pay-up. (One lost bet required cheering on a marathoning colleague. In a bikini. During winter.) And despite her impressive credentials—including a decade at La Crema Winery and stints at Jackson Family Wines, Clos du Bois, and J Vineyards & Winery—Stackhouse is quick to point out that successful winemaking requires the collaborative efforts of "the team." Meiomi's grapes are sourced from vineyards located in the coastal Northern California counties of Santa Barbara, Monterey, and Sonoma (fittingly, Meiomi means "coastal" in the language of the indigenous Wappo tribe). During our interview, Stackhouse elaborated on the criti- cal role the coastal vineyards play in the style and success of Meiomi Rosé. Melissa Stackhouse: When we were discussing ways to expand the portfolio, a rosé predominantly of Pinot Noir made perfect sense, especially since it was important to continue sourcing from the three coastal counties. It was exciting as well, because it was the first wine our team launched from scratch [after former owner Joe Wagner sold Meiomi to Constellation Brands] and we were able to make the decisions on the style and the fruit-sourcing. I love rosé and I love making it, so it just felt right. The 2017 Meiomi Rosé, which made its national debut in March, is sourced from vineyards in three Northern California counties. "The tri-county origins allowed us to make a Provençal-style rosé with lovely aromas and watermelon and bright cherry flavors," says Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse. My "People may have expected us to make a robust, rounded ré to mirr our Pinot Noir, but while all Meiomi wines reflect their coastal igin, I think each wine should be the best version of i own style." —Melissa Stackhouse