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In Vino Felicitas. In wine there is happiness.
Owned by the enterprising husband and wife team of Mario and Anna Monticelli, Ilaria is guided by Anna’s creative vision and craft. Her goal is to “create unique lots that are not shy about expressing their heritage – the soil and climate in which they were grown, where that combination of great terroir and viticultural expertise merge.” Ilaria’s wines are sourced from several sites in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County, all of which are under long-term contracts to ensure consistency and quality. In keeping with the business as a family venture, the striking Atelier Illaria labels were designed by the project’s namesake, Ilaria, Mario and Anna’s daughter, a talented young fashion designer.
Anna and Mario both have viticulture and enology degrees from UC Davis and years of experience in the Napa Valley and Europe. Anna worked a harvest at Chateau Cheval Blanc, was assistant winemaker at Seavey Vineyard for two years and then Bryant Family Vineyard for five. She has been the winemaker at Piña Napa Valley since 2007. Mario’s father was born in Italy but emigrated to California, where he made wine at Gallo for 50 years. Mario interned in Tuscany at Villa Antinori, and then spent four years as the assistant winemaker for Philippe Melka, a consultant for many Napa Valley wineries. He became winemaker at Trinchero Napa Valley in 2007. Mario and Anna have full-time “day jobs” as winemakers or winemaking consultants; produce their own labels not only in the Napa Valley, but in Piemonte, Toscana, Abruzzo, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy as well as in France’s Champagne and Rhone regions. They also manage to find time for raising three children.
Wine MakerAnna and Mario Monticelli
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
The Knight’s Valley occupies a remote eastern corner of Sonoma County much closer to Calistoga than to Healdsburg. While vineyards share the landscape with grassy knolls and ancient Live Oak trees, the absence of wineries or tourist infrastructure recalls an earlier era of rural life in Sonoma. This Atelier Ilaria Chardonnay is sourced 100% from vineyards planted in well-drained, rocky volcanic soils. The winery notes describe this Chardonnay as showcasing “gorgeous aromatics of white peach, melon, pear, honeysuckle and white flowers. Delicious layers of crème brûlée, almond, butterscotch and toasty oak continue to waft from the glass. This elegant Chardonnay has a fantastic mouthfeel, divulging creaminess, richness and texture while retaining a backbone of acidity.”
A blend of 94% Cabernet and 6% Malbec, this wine was sourced from vineyards in St. Helena (76%), Rutherford (18%), and Coombsville (6%). It was aged in 60% new French oak for 28 months. According to the winery, this Cabernet delivers “gorgeous aromas of black cherry, black currant, blackberry, mocha and espresso. Layers of licorice, toasted oak, spices and blue flowers round out the aromatic profile. This wine exhibits stunning richness and texture and a bright vein of acidity runs through the plush fruit driven palate. The enduring finish showcases beautiful finesse and depth.”