The Wines of Antoine Favero

“My goal is to craft luscious wines that are powerful yet elegant, long-lasting in the palate and long-lived in the cellar,” says Antoine Favero, Matrix’s winemaker.

Antoine believes wines are nurtured rather than produced. This nurturing originates in the vineyards by listening to the vines and providing them a balanced environment to develop maximum color, fleshy tannins and engaging aromas. This is accomplished by matching the vines to the perfect soil, climate and exposure.

Antoine is able to capture the spirit of the vineyard using winemaking techniques such as cold soaking and employing traditional French techniques such as pigeage (punch down), remontage (pump over) and extended maceration, utilizing indigenous yeast whenever possible.  This elevates flavors and captures the essence of the grapes.

Once the fermentation is complete and after a gentle pressing, the young wine is aged mostly in French oak barrels to enhance and develop the flavors of each varietal. Antoine prefers François Frères barrels for the Pinots, Vicard and Taransaud barrels for the Bordeaux varietals and Seguin Moreau for Zinfandels.

“I truly believe that crafting an exceptional wine requires not only seasoned winemaking skills but meticulous vineyard management skills as well, nurturing each to its utmost potential,” says Antoine. “My commitment will always be to produce the finest grapes from our vineyards, in order to create the most sumptuous wines possible.”