“Julia, I can’t make any more of this wine.”
Why?
"These vines are the Michael Jordan of vines. This is all we have.”
Are you sure it’s MJ or is it Kobe?
“It’s MJ.”
This is not how most of my wine conversations start. But, if you are talking to what I call a cult winemaker who makes some of California’s best white wines then you are very lucky to be in the presence of former sports writer turned vintner, Dan Petroski. I met Dan a few years ago when he was making stellar Napa Valley Cabernets, but now he is making wine full-time for his Mediterranean style wine company, Massican.
Dan is a storyteller. Seriously.
Massican has a magazine, is coming out with a cookbook (I can’t wait), and produced one of the best bottles of wine I had this year, along with Maryam + Company, a Muscat Blanc and Cortese blend, I am still dreaming about. I hate to call a wine perfect. But, it’s a perfect white wine. Great acid, fun, interesting, goes with all my favorite Southern seafood dishes, and chuggable. Dan is as fond of the written word as I am, along with art and music. He understands how all these subjects are similar to wine. Every conversation with Dan is a way to learn more about the world, how we share and how we come together. It’s no wonder Food + Wine magazine named him Drinks Innovator of the Year for 2022.
In an area where Cabernet is king, it is refreshing to see Dan step out the box. Your wine glass should thank him.
Massican, wines you should be drinking.
I've got the Maryam + Company bottles in my wine fridge as we speak! Totally agree it's perfect.
I just finished my last bottle!!