Credit: Linne Calodo Winery

Linne Calodo Winery was founded by Matt Trevisan, a passionate and determined individual with a background in aeronautical engineering and flight. However, his love for wine was ignited when he encountered unlabeled wines produced by Justin Smith’s father, who had deep roots in Paso Robles wine country. Inspired by this experience, Matt pursued a career in the wine industry, working at various wineries and honing his skills in cellar management and winemaking.

Eventually, Matt’s desire to create his own boutique winery led him to partner with his college friend, Justin Smith, and establish Linne Calodo. They named their winery after the soil series called LINNE CALODO, known for producing exceptional fruit. The winery is located in the Willow Creek District within Paso Robles, California- a region with unique geographical, topographical, and soil characteristics. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the inland soils, combined with solar energy absorption, create a thermal engine that generates pressure differentials. The soils in the region range from calcareous shale and mudstone to sandy loam and clay loam, providing diverse conditions for grape cultivation.  The Willow Creek District also benefits from favorable rainfall patterns. This consistent distribution of rainfall allows vineyards in the region to practice dry farming or minimal irrigation.

Credit: Linne Calodo Winery

Linne Calodo takes a unique approach to viticulture, striving to forge their own path. While acknowledging the value of biodynamics and organics, Matt emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative options rather than blindly adhering to one school of thought. In recent years, they have undertaken the challenge of transitioning their properties to a “No Till” approach without herbicide use. This process involves hand-selecting plants and eliminating invasive species and taproot weeds. Each pass through the vineyard is carefully calculated to minimize the carbon footprint and fuel usage, aligning with their vision of sustainable agriculture.

Winemaking at Linne Calodo is seen as an art form, with the vineyard serving as the source of inspiration. When creating blends, they work on multiple blends simultaneously, tasting the unique characteristics of each barrel in their cellar. Their signature blend, “Sticks and Stones,” highlights Grenache for bright acidity, incorporates Syrah for mouthfeel and complexity, and adds Mourvedre for earthiness and leathery tannins. The blending process aims to capture a snapshot of the vintage, showcasing its strengths and nuances.

In addition to their signature blend, Linne Calodo produces a white Rhone blend called the “Contrarian.” This wine reflects the winery’s evolution and willingness to challenge preconceived notions. Initially, Matt focused on making big red wines and overlooked the importance of a white wine to start a meal. However, after participating in winemaking dinners, he realized the need for a white wine and created the Contrarian in 2003. Over time, the blend evolved to include Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc, adding a new dimension and enhancing acidity.

Linne Calodo’s wine names often reflect the experiences and challenges involved in their creation, whether related to dealing with mother nature or encountering unexpected situations in the cellar. These names serve as colorful lessons learned and leave a unique imprint on the wines themselves.

Throughout his winemaking journey, Matt  has been described as an artist, scientist, mechanic, and farmer, highlighting the diverse nature of his work. Despite these descriptions, he remains grounded and appreciative of having found something he loves and being able to share it with the world.

The wines featured in the Wine Recommendations section were provided by the winery for the purpose of review.  The selection and tasting of these wines were independently conducted. No compensation  or incentives were provided for inclusion in the story. As always, the top priority is to provide readers with informative reporting.

Wine Recommendations

2020 “Overthinker” Red Blend- unveils a captivating array of robust red fruits, most notably cherry and raspberries. The fruit profile is striking, exuding confidence and asserting its presence. Delightfully intertwined with the fruit is an impeccably integrated tannin structure. Over the course of the next five to ten years, it will undoubtedly mellow and refine, allowing its intrinsic qualities to fully develop.

2020 “Cherry Red”- a Zinfandel-centered blend exuding robustness and boldness. Its captivating essence is defined by dark cherry and chocolate flavors, complemented by subtle herbal undertones. As the journey unfolds, a spicy embrace lingers long after each sip.

2022 “Contrarian”- aromas of golden honey and peach envelops the senses in sheer delight. Beneath the allure, lies an unwavering structure fortified by a vibrant acidity. A composition of 47% Grenache Blanc, 35% Viognier and 18% Picpoul Blanc.