Sonoma’s Matheson Restaurant Hosts Vine Wine & Dine Featuring Clay Mauritson’s Rockpile Wines
The Matheson Restaurant in downtown Healdsburg became the stage for the latest episode of the region’s culinary podcast Vine Wine & Dine, a Sonoma County Vintners-sponsored showcase of local food and wine. Listen to the episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clay-mauritson-of-mauritson-wines-dry-creek/id1708465248?i=1000767819716
Hosted by longtime podast and radio personalities Larry Van Alst, Dustin Valette, and Michael Haney, the hour-long episode featured a deep dive into the history, terroir, and current releases of Clay Mauritson’s family-run winery, Mauritson Wines.
The show opened with the hosts introducing their surprise guest, Clay Mauritson, describing him as “one of the best winemakers in all of Sonoma County.”
Listeners were treated to a vivid recollection of a recent six-course dinner at the Matheson, where each course was paired with Mauritson’s Brown Family-owned wines.
Highlights included hamachi paired with a Chardonnay from the Chev label, a Liberty duck breast with a Sirk-style wine, venison, an “extraordinary” beef course, and a dessert created by San Francisco-based chef Mark Doman.
Family Legacy and the Rockpile AVA
Mauritson traced his family’s roots back to 1868, when the Mauritson ancestors homesteaded the Rockpile property.
The family has farmed the same land for 158 years, now operating 85 acres of vineyards—the largest contiguous holding in the Rockpile American Viticultural Area, which totals roughly 200 acres.
He noted that the Mauritson lineage spans sixth-generation winemaking, with some members now representing the seventh generation, and that the family’s Swedish immigrants arrived in California in 1864 before settling in Sonoma.
The Rockpile AVA’s unique geography was explained in detail. The region sits on a peninsula formed by Lake Sonoma’s horseshoe shape, creating a moderate climate with minimal diurnal temperature shift, no fog, and an inversion layer that eliminates ambient moisture.
This micro-climate contributes to the “sense of place” evident in the wines.
Wine Profiles and Winemaking Philosophy
Mauritson highlighted several key releases:
- Dry Creek Zen – a Zinfandel that he called the winery’s “bread and butter,” produced by the sixth-generation family in Dry Creek Valley.
- Sauvignon Blanc – described as “the window to a winemaker’s soul,” noted for its transparency and expression of terroir.
- 2022 Cabernet Blend – a composition of 77% Cabernet, 9% Malbec, 9% Petite Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, praised for balance despite a challenging heat-filled vintage.
Mauritson emphasized a minimalist, natural-wine approach: no additives, no filtration, and a focus on precise vineyard management.
Winemaker Emma received special credit for mastering tannin integration and maintaining freshness in the wines.
Community Projects and Upcoming Events
The conversation turned to Project Zen, Mauritson’s community-impact initiative, and a partnership with chef Charlie Palmer.
The hosts announced that the winery will host its 20th “cult wine dinner” in two weeks, an auction-style event that has historically raised $15,000–$20,000 for local charities.
The menu will feature caviar, poached lobster, and an up-cycled “Flannery” beef made from dry-aged senior dairy cow, alongside other locally sourced dishes.
Mauritson also promoted the upcoming Healdsburg Wine & Food weekend, expecting 2,500 attendees—a 25% increase for the town of roughly 10,000 residents.
He highlighted the collective rise of Sonoma County’s wine and food scene, noting the influx of visitors to local establishments such as the Montage and the growing reputation of Healdsburg as a culinary destination.
Tasting Room and Visitor Information
Mauritson reminded listeners that the Mauritson Wines tasting room is open to the public at 2859 Dry Creek Road.
He described the facility as a “glass-walled” space where guests can see directly into the cellar, reflecting an “open-kitchen” philosophy of transparency.
The winery encourages both reservations and walk-ins.
Celebrating Sonoma County’s Food and Wine Heritage
The episode concluded with thanks to the production team, including Michael Haney, Ted Davidson, and others.
Vine Wine & Dine continues to celebrate Sonoma County’s heritage, terroir, and community spirit, all under the sponsorship of Sonoma County Vintners.