2023 ‘Don’t Quit Your Day Job’ Merlot
In 2023 I got the rare opportunity to work with some of the most coveted fruit in California from the Massa Vineyard in Carmel Valley. Farmed 100% organically by the brilliant Ian Brand, the Merlot section of this vineyard has mixed marine sediments and siliceous shale soil. I first tasted Merlot from Massa when Jamiee Motley made it. It has this distinct beauty to it that’s hard to describe in words. You’ll just have to try it yourself!
The grapes were harvested on October 3rd, 2023. I decided to ferment the wine whole cluster because the stems looked fully ripe and I had a feeling it would lend to a compelling wine. I wanted to make a Merlot with structure and elegance. We destemmed and added a small part of the Alder Vineyard Merlot to the stainless steel tank and let it macerate for about a week and a half. We then pressed the fruit and let the juice finish fermenting in neutral barrel. The wine was bottled on April 30, 2024.
For folks in warmer climates, your wines will ship as weather permits for them to arrive safely from heat damage.
In 2023 I got the rare opportunity to work with some of the most coveted fruit in California from the Massa Vineyard in Carmel Valley. Farmed 100% organically by the brilliant Ian Brand, the Merlot section of this vineyard has mixed marine sediments and siliceous shale soil. I first tasted Merlot from Massa when Jamiee Motley made it. It has this distinct beauty to it that’s hard to describe in words. You’ll just have to try it yourself!
The grapes were harvested on October 3rd, 2023. I decided to ferment the wine whole cluster because the stems looked fully ripe and I had a feeling it would lend to a compelling wine. I wanted to make a Merlot with structure and elegance. We destemmed and added a small part of the Alder Vineyard Merlot to the stainless steel tank and let it macerate for about a week and a half. We then pressed the fruit and let the juice finish fermenting in neutral barrel. The wine was bottled on April 30, 2024.
For folks in warmer climates, your wines will ship as weather permits for them to arrive safely from heat damage.
In 2023 I got the rare opportunity to work with some of the most coveted fruit in California from the Massa Vineyard in Carmel Valley. Farmed 100% organically by the brilliant Ian Brand, the Merlot section of this vineyard has mixed marine sediments and siliceous shale soil. I first tasted Merlot from Massa when Jamiee Motley made it. It has this distinct beauty to it that’s hard to describe in words. You’ll just have to try it yourself!
The grapes were harvested on October 3rd, 2023. I decided to ferment the wine whole cluster because the stems looked fully ripe and I had a feeling it would lend to a compelling wine. I wanted to make a Merlot with structure and elegance. We destemmed and added a small part of the Alder Vineyard Merlot to the stainless steel tank and let it macerate for about a week and a half. We then pressed the fruit and let the juice finish fermenting in neutral barrel. The wine was bottled on April 30, 2024.
For folks in warmer climates, your wines will ship as weather permits for them to arrive safely from heat damage.