Trade
Behind every bottle lies a story of place, patience, and precision. We are grateful to collaborate with a community of sommeliers, retailers, and importers who bring our wines to discerning collectors around the world.
This dedicated trade space offers the tools and information you need to represent our wines, from vineyard and vintage details to brand assets and photography, all crafted to reflect the essence of our estate.
For all other related inquiries, please reach out.
Paul Trione
National Sales Director
paul.trione@lithology.wine
Branding
The study of the formation, composition, and classification of rocks.
Napa Valley is a tale of fire and ash, molten rock, and explosive geological forces that etched their mark upon the land millennia ago. Over time, this substance has weathered and decomposed, creating soil that is rich in minerals and well-drained — the perfect conditions for exceptional grapevines to thrive. In these unique soils, our acclaimed winemakers dig a little deeper to create a distinguished collection of wines, each a powerful testament to the earth’s ability to shape and refine the flavors in your glass.
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At Lithology, we believe that purely terroir-driven wines are treasures to be protected and revered. Our dedication to Napa Valley geology and vineyard-first winemaking results in the ultimate expression of place and vintage. Winemaker & General Manager, Matt Sands and Assistant Winemaker, Mark Pittman oversee the day-to-day artistry at our stone winery in St. Helena.
Since 2014, three of the world’s top consulting winemakers, Michel Rolland (1947 2026), Philippe Melka, and Maayan Koschitzky have collaborated on the project. Together, they’ve lent their layers of knowledge, ensuring every drop of Lithology wine reveals unmatched elegance, depth, balance, and identity.
Matt Sands
Winemaker & Managing Director
Matt Sands, Winemaker and General Manager, joined Lithology in 2015. Born in New Zealand, and his earliest winemaking experience on Waiheke Island, Matt experienced first-hand the true power of low-intervention winemaking to prioritize the natural expression of the vineyard and vintage. Twenty vintages later, his conviction that the finest wines are made in the vineyard has only grown stronger. Matt credits his mentors and personal experience for shaping his winemaking philosophy — from his early career at Passage Rock, Man O' War, and Stonyridge, through harvest work at Screaming Eagle and Bryant Estate, to a decade crafting the epitome of Napa terroir and vineyard-first excellence at Lithology.
“Lithology is a collaboration, and I’m honored by the friendship, mentorship, and shared sense of pushing boundaries, in search of terroir purity and expression. That is truly the DNA of Lithology." - Matt Sands
Mark Pittman
Assistant Winemaker
Mark began his winemaking journey in 2014 and has traveled to wine regions around the world, learning the nuances of crafting exceptional wines. He worked at boutique, high-quality producers in Washington, Oregon, Australia, and New Zealand before joining Lithology in 2018. Mark prides himself on attention to detail, hard work, and the ability to carry out many tasks at a high level of performance. He enjoys running, hiking, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time in the mountains.
Philippe Melka
Consulting Winemaker
Philippe would be the first to tell you that soil primarily influenced his career. With his roots in Bordeaux, Melka marries French winemaking traditions with cutting-edge techniques, creating wines renowned for their depth and complexity. Since 1995, he has been putting his stamp on Napa Valley’s wine industry, spearheading the programs for some of the region’s most revered wineries. Since 2014, Lithology has been a project close to his heart. Supporting Bulgheroni’s rigorous vision for terroir-first wines is an exercise in consistency and teamwork with some of the most storied vineyards in Napa Valley.
Michel Rolland
Consulting Winemaker
Michel Rolland (1947-2026) began consulting in 1985 and worked with hundreds of wineries on four continents, helping to create scores of successful wines. A luminary in the winemaking sphere, Michel combined old-world techniques with new-world innovation. At Lithology, his biannual blending sessions for vintages 2014 through 2024 provided outside perspective and healthy debate in the effort to identify, defend, and reveal each vineyard’s terroir. We extend our deepest sympathies on the passing of Michel Rolland in March 2026 and are eternally grateful for his friendship and for each vintage he gave to us. We honor his legacy and work.
Maayan Koschitzky
Consulting Winemaker
Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume spanning from the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in Napa Valley. Serving alongside Philippe Melka since 2014, Maayan’s multidimensional role includes not only winemaking but also orchestrating winery development for clients, leveraging his engineering background and diverse experience to refine and support the many facets of Lithology’s vinicultural journey.
Paul Trione
National Sales Director
A native of Sonoma County with over two decades in the wine industry, Paul has a lifelong passion for wine, hospitality, and family. He lives in Texas with his wife Jessica and their two sons. Paul enjoys sharing his passion for exceptional wines and authentic connections one glass at a time.
Angela Berlogar
Membership Manager
Angela has worked in the wine industry for over 15 years, managing memberships and creating lasting customer relationships. With a deep passion for hospitality and community, she helps wine lovers feel like family. Outside of work, Angela enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband, two children, and their beloved dog.
Lithology Wine Collection
At Lithology, we draw inspiration from Napa Valley's ancient terrain, crafting wines as layered as the soils from which they emerge. Explore the Lithology Collection.
Lithology Alejandro Bulgheroni Cabernet Sauvignon
An exceptional cuvée produced in extremely limited quantities, the Alejandro Bulgheroni Cabernet Sauvignon captures the excellence of the vintage through a meticulous selection of our finest barrels. Crafted as a tribute to Lithology’s owner, this wine reflects the estate’s vision for producing Cabernet Sauvignon of uncompromising quality. Defined by depth, precision, and a true expression of place, it embodies the character and ageability that are hallmarks of Lithology.
Lithology Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Celebrated for its extraordinary depth and exquisite character, our To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from one of the finest “Grand Cru” vineyards in the world. Vines grow slower in this iconic vineyard and provide a full canopy every year. Influenced by the cooler conditions and longer hang time, the harvest is usually around two weeks later than our other vineyards. Our 2022 To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon possesses an herbal profile with notes of sage and blueberry. Concentrated aromas lead to a subtle intensity on the palate.
Lithology Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Franc
First planted in 1868, To Kalon is one of the finest “Grand Cru” vineyards in the world. Our Cabernet Franc is crafted from the heart of this iconic vineyard where the vines grow slower and provide a full canopy every year. Influenced by the cooler conditions and longer hang time, the harvest is usually around two weeks later than our other vineyards. An approachable and pleasing wine, our 2022 To Kalon Cabernet Franc presents a darker fruit profile complemented by notes of roasted coffee beans and chocolate covered cherries. The upfront fruitfulness and concentration are followed by extra freshness on the palate.
Lithology Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Representing the epitome of balance and gracefulness, our Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from vines that thrive in the rocky terrain and gravelly loam soils of the celebrated Dr. Crane vineyard. The trademark lifted, floral nose with blue fruits accented by berries, earth, and spice leads into a palate that walks the line of vibrancy and power, delicacy aligned with richness and depth. It is our most beguiling and truly elegant wine.
Lithology Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Franc
Located at the base of the western hills in St. Helena, this celebrated vineyard was first planted in 1858 by Dr. George Belden Crane. The vines here are vigorous with extensive leaf coverage as they thrive in the rocky terrain and gravelly loam soils. Producing wines of unparalleled quality and uniqueness, this vineyard is a testament to the excellence of Cabernet Franc.
Lithology Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Named for the rocks and pebbles that lie within the rich alluvial soil, the Las Piedras Vineyard shares a history with our Estate vineyard as they were both part of the Rancho Carne Humana land grant. The vineyard is situated at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains and provides a lot of drainage and high stress for the vines, challenging them for vigor and producing fruit of incredible concentration and vibrancy.
Lithology Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Crafted from premier Napa Valley vineyards, this Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of the region’s diverse terroir — from the structure of Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain to the soft tannins of Rutherford and Oakville, and the herbal notes of Coombsville. Harvested at lower sugar levels yet with ripe tannins, it was aged in carefully selected French oak barrels to achieve balance, complexity, and finesse.
Lithology Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
A unique expression of Cabernet Franc complemented by the terroir of Napa Valley, this wine is crafted each year from a different vineyard to highlight the varying topography and microclimates of the valley. Napa Valley Cabernet Franc is characterized by its balance of bold fruit, herbal notes, and rich structure. Our Napa Valley Cabernet Franc displays fragrant floral aromas intertwined with subtle herbal tones and velvety tannins, creating an elegant balance that speaks to both power and grace. Aged in new French oak for added depth, nuance, and complexity, it embodies the harmony between varietal character and place.
Lithology Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
A cool climate Chardonnay from the northwest facing slopes of the Russian River Valley, our Chardonnay reflects the marine influences, vine age, and soil composition of the Ritchie Vineyard. Vines dating back to 1972 are intermingled with more recent plantings, providing a complex wine with natural minerality and a lengthy finish. Extremely limited in production with only 56 cases, this Grand Cru quality Chardonnay is aged for 22 months in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels, providing a balanced wine with a pure expression of the terroir.
Lithology Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Grown on the gentle slopes of the Lithology Estate at the base of Howell Mountain, our Sauvignon Blanc thrives in the mineral-rich volcanic soil. The vineyard, which resembles a small valley surrounded by creeks, provides a unique microclimate that allows the fruit to mature slowly, producing an elegant and refreshing wine with varying levels of depth. Aged in barrels for roundness and mouthfeel, the wine is estate bottled with an extremely limited production.