North American Press 'The Rebel' 2023 Baco Noir Sonoma Coast

750ml bottle
13.8% abv

Intensely aromatic. Bright and energetic, with candied violets, black pepper, blackberry, and mulberry.

Beyond Organic. Dry farmed. No Spray. No till. Minimal Sulfites. Unfined and unfiltered.

"The Rebel" returns from a fog-swept hillside on the Sonoma Coast, where ancient redwoods shelter vines planted in the 1960s. In this classic vintage, the wine reveals both power and grace—candied violets and dark cherry intertwine with blackberry and mulberry, while black pepper spice builds with air. A bright entry leads to a smooth, red-fruited mid-palate with elegant tannins. Rustic yet refined.

In the early 1960's, Italian immigrant Domenico Callegari had the nonconformist idea to plant a small Baco Noir vineyard within the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County. Situated amongst soaring Red-Tailed Hawks, these vines are surrounded by Redwoods, flanked by endemic Meadowfoam, and grown in Goldridge Loam on a southeast-facing slope. Known for it's radical acidity, Baco Noir is a seedling of the late 1800's from Folle Blanche pollinated by a wild American grape, Vitis Riparia.
These iconoclastic vines are farmed completely by hand and without the use of irrigation, fungicides, or herbicides.

While California built its reputation on European grape varieties, North America has its own rich viticultural heritage. These native and hybrid grapes have been overlooked and underestimated. But when grown thoughtfully in exceptional terroir and crafted with care, they produce wines of remarkable character and complexity.

After nearly a decade crafting Burgundian-style wines at Radio-Coteau, I launched North American Press in 2019 to explore these overlooked varieties. Drawing on my background in both professional cooking and structural engineering, I bring precision and creativity to North America’s resilient grapes.

"By championing indigenous varieties and hybrids, we’re not just making wine—we’re rediscovering America’s viticultural heritage." — Matt Niess, Winemaker

“Matt Niess has been rolling the non-vinifera boulder up the proverbial hill in Northern California (where valuable land is mainly used to grow European “noble” varieties) on his own for a few years now with North American Press. Along the way he’s been a part of preserving and reintroducing native and hybrid grapes more suitable to the climate—and often can be grown without pesticides or excessive water.” — Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 Tastemakers 2024