Merlot, Sonoma County
Vineyard Sourcing
The grapes in our Sonoma County Merlot are sourced from our Certified Sustainable Estate Behler and Wild Oak Vineyards as well as from premier growers throughout the region. Merlot thrives in Sonoma’s picturesque valleys where warm days are cooled by evening breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean. Each carefully selected vineyard contributes distinctive and individual qualities to the finished wine.
The grapes for our Sonoma County Merlot are gently de-stemmed, then cold-soaked for two days to enhance color and flavor extraction. Fermentation takes place in small, separate lots, allowing each to be carefully crafted to highlight its unique characteristics. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels—20% new—before final blending and bottling, resulting in a beautifully balanced and expressive Merlot.