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The Napa Valley AVA now joins the ONLINE ranks with The Mendocino County AVA and The Sierra Foothills AVA pages! Click the links in the navigation bar to visit those pages. Explore Merlot |
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This page is all about Merlot in California. Merlot's flavors are very similar to Cabernet Sauvignon's though it is generally softer and less tannic. A major difference might be that Merlot has less cassis, current character but more tobacco and leather qualities. Merlot is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften its tannic nature. This is a friendly wine with flavors and aromas of red or black cherry, and plum highlighted by floral scents. Cedar and smoke are other typical flavors along with the tobacco and leather mentioned above.
Merlot is grown in most regions of California. Cooler regions: Mendocino County AVA, The Sierra Foothills, portions of the Central Coast produce Merlot with bright fruit flavors and chocolate/cocoa accents. The Merlot from warmer regions will feature dark fruit, cherry, expresso with herbal, tobacco, leather and cedar accents. Merlot has good aging ability especially those from single vineyard and estate wineries.
Merlot and Food
Pair your Merlot with green herbs: bay leaf, thyme and sage - combined into a marinade for leg of lamb. Enjoy your wine with roasted pork, grilled chicken or hearty stews. Merlot also goes well with olives and most cheeses.
Terroir
You have terroir in your glass! Rocks and sand, sendiment scraped from ocean floors and pushed to mountaintops millions of years ago or river floodplains contribute to your wine. Your wine brings you the aromas and flavors of the sun that beats on grapes and vines day after day or the fog, creeping through valleys, that refreshes at night.
Understanding terroir will help you choose wines that you like. Explore Merlot's diverse growing range through these pages. Each area is a tour of its own and each offers unique highlights of history and topography. These tours are about discovering that uniqueness. Click on the AVA links in the navigation bar on the left to go down the page to the sub-AVA of your interest listed in the table below. There you will find links to specific information about that region including lists of wineries plus links for area food, lodging and other local highlights.
A Little History
The Merlot grape hails from the Bordeaux region of France and is included as one of the "noble grapes" along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Reisling and Chardonnay. The noble grape designation is more for historical perspective than as an indication of its modern supremacy over any other varietal. Supremacy is individual --- it is all in what you prefer. This page and it's linked pages will help you to sort that out.
California American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
American Viticultural Areas are unique legally designated grape growing areas that are defined by the ATF. These regions are most often defined by their topography, soil types, climate and sometimes historical relevance. The table below shows major viticultural regions on the left. On the right the table shows sub-AVAs within the larger area. These are broken down further as shown in the tables below. Find the links in the navigation bar on the left to go down to the AVA table of interest. These tables are under construction. They will have links to take you to more information including lists of wineries and more. Go to The Sierra Foothills below and click on the Merlot logo to see how these pages are being developed.
| North Coast AVA | Mendocino County, Lake County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Marin County and Solono County |
| Sierra Foothills AVA | North Yuba, El Dorado, Fair Play, CA Shenandoah Valley, Fiddletown |
| Inland | Yolo County, Madera County, Sacramento County, |
| Delta | San Joaquin County, Siskiyou County, Stanislaus County |
| Central Coast AVA | Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara Santa Cruz |
| South Coast | Los Angeles County, Riverside & San Bernardino, San Diego County |
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The Mendocino County AVA is located in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). This is a spectacular region that includes high, rocky, Pacific Ocean wave pounded bluffs in the west and the Coastal Ranges which form the eastern border of the County. Mendocino County is where the 800 mile long San Andreas fault veers off into the ocean. Most of Mendocino's wine grapes are grown in the Coastal Ranges where interior valleys shelter the vineyards from cold breezes and fog off of the Pacific Ocean. There are 56 wineries in Mendocino County and 250 growers. This is a very beautiful and interesting region and well worth the trek to explore. In the pages under development, we hope to provide information to help you to narrow your focus in this large area.
The Mendocino County AVA Merlot page is NOW ONLINE! Click on the logo to go to the Mendocino Merlot page for detailed information about each sub-AVA including lists of wineries. There are additional links to food and lodging opportunities in Mendocino County.
Mendocino County Merlot is highlighted by strong dark cherry fruit with blackberries, ripe plums followed by dark chocolate and mint or cedar layers.
| Mendocino Ridge | Mendocino |
| Anderson Valley | Redwood Valley |
| Potter Valley | Cole Ranch |
| McDowell Valley | Yorkville Highlands |
| Dos Rios |
The Lake County AVA surrounds Clear Lake, California's biggest natural lake. Lake County is next door to and east of Mendocino. This is a growing viticultural area. There are fourteen wineries that produce mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Topographically, the elevation is between 1,370 feet at the valley floor and the 2,000 foot extinct volcano, Mount Konocti. The soil is rich alluvial sediment in the valley and red volcanic soil is found at the higher elevations. The pages about these locations are under development.
Lake County Merlot is marked by aromas and flavors of black cherry highlighted by cola nut, cedar and sage. The wine tends to be very dark and full bodied.
Stay tuned for more information about the Lake County AVA.
| Benmore Valley | Clear Lake |
| Guenoc Valley | High Valley |
| Red Hills-California |
The Sonoma County AVA is located in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area. Sonoma is Mendocino's southern neighbor and Napa County's western neighbor. Like Mendocino, Sonoma's western border is formed by rugged, Pacific Ocean wave pounded bluffs. The Mayacamas Mountain Ranges form Sonoma's eastern border. Coastal regions are cooled by the cold waters and breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Inland, the days are warm but the nights are cooled as breezes and fog from the ocean filter through the Petaluma Gap and Russian River. Route 12 runs the length of the Valley from Santa Rosa to Glen Ellen. Merlot is among he most widely planted grape varietals in Sonoma County. The County was part of an inland sea but plate tectonics pushed up the coastal ranges. Volcanoes laid down ash and lava creating a mosaic of soil types in the region. All of these factors contribute to unique terroir that makes Sonoma County one of the leaders of world class wines.
These pages are under development. Each sub-AVA's Merlot has its own subtle and unique characteristics. We will provide information to help you to determine your preferences and to narrow your focus in this large area.
Sonoma County's Merlot is complex and layered with red or black cherry and dark fruit, espresso and toffee followed by hints of chocolate. The basalt rock and ocean floor influences in some of the sub-AVAs contribute a smoky character to the Merlot of those regions.
Please check back since the Sonoma County AVA is in the works and will be available soon!!!
| Alexander Valley | Chalk Hill |
| Dry Creek | Knights Valley |
| Los Carneros | Northern Sonoma |
| Russian River Valley | Sonoma Coast |
| Sonoma Green Valley | Sonoma Mountain |
| Sonoma Valley |
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The Napa Valley AVA, next door to Sonoma County, is the next stop on our journey south in the California North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). The region is mostly commonly referred to as "Napa Valley" since most of its area is in a valley nestled between the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Vaca mountains in the east. The 4,343 foot Mt. St. Helena and the town of Calistoga mark its northern border. Surprisingly, this northern region of Napa this is the warmest because it is sheltered from ocean influences. South, is the city of Napa and San Pablo Bay which connects to San Francisco Bay. The bays are condiuits for evening and morning fog and cool air that moderate the temperatures in this portion of Napa.
This is a 30 mile stretch of complicated geologic history as over millions of years, tectonic plates collided causing volcanic activity spewing lava and ash. During that time ocean levels rose and fell and water infiltrated from the bays to lay down layers of ocean soils. Rivers and their tributaries, water washing down from hills and mountains have all added to the magic of Napa Valley's soils. This has contributed to more than 30 different soil types making up the ground of Napa. Once again, terroir is created by the variety of soils and combined with Napa's numerous microclimates. These contributeso the success of just about any varietal of grape here, among them is Merlot.
There are more than 400 wineries in Napa Valley. This is a diverse area with a number of renowned areas but take time to investigate several of the little known regions that are well worth the effort to explore. Each Napa sub-AVA's Merlot has its own subtle and unique characteristics. We will provide information to help you to determine your preferences and to narrow your focus in this large area.Stay tuned as these pages are under development. We will highlight the Napa regions that produce Merlot and introduce you to the unique terroir of each one. Click on the Sierra Foothills Merlot logo below to get a peek at things to come.
Napa County Merlot has good complexity and depth, smooth tannins with a bit more herbal qualities of bay leaf, thyme and fruity layers of spiced blackberry, raspberry, black cherry and plum.
| Howell Mountain | St. Helena |
| Chiles Valley | Spring Mountain District |
| Rutherford | Oakville |
| Mt. Veeder | Yountville |
| Stags Leap District | Atlas Peak |
| Oak Knoll District | Los Carneros |
| Diamond Mountain | Napa Valley |
| Wild Horse Valley |
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Click the logo to learn more about Merlot in The Sierra Foothills. The Sierra Foothills AVA is on the Western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There are 11 sub-AVAs (listed below) that make up the Foothills. The vineyards in the Sierra Foothills are relatively remote and are found at elevations between 1,200 to 3,600 feet above sea level which is well above the fog line. This makes for long, sunny summer days. The soils from 1,200 to about 2,000 foot levels are made of decomposed granite and at elevations above the 3,000 foot level there is crushed volcanic rock. Both soil types provide good drainage but lack many nutrients. The Sierra Foothills Merlot page provides more information about the unique qualities of this region's Merlot. You will find hints about food pairings, lists of wineries and links to associations and Chambers of Commerce for more information about restaurants, lodging and local highlights.
El Dorado and Fair Play are the prime Merlot growing regions in The Sierra Foothills. Click on the Merlot logo above to go to The Sierra Foothills Merlot page to find specific information about the Merlot grown in those areas. Generally, Sierra Foothills granite contributes to distinctly spicy character (pepper and cloves) in the Merlot. Spiced cherries predominate with hints of chocolate and/or licorice.
| North Yuba | El Dorado |
| Fair Play | Fiddletown |
| CA Shenandoah Valley | Nevada |
| Placer | Amador |
| Calaveras | Toulumne |
| Mariposa |
The Inland region is not an AVA but it is a region located east of San Francisco Bay and the Coastal Ranges and west of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The town of Red Bluff is on the northern end and Sacramento, the state capital, marks the southern border. This 120 mile long valley is protected from ocean breezes and fogs by the Coastal Ranges. Chardonnay and Zinfandel are the most widely grown grapes. Many of the sub-AVAs in this region are one vineyard enterprises so they have been grouped together under the county heading.
Stay tuned for more information about these regions including lists of wineries and specific terroir information per AVA as well as links for area food, lodging and points of interest.
| Yolo County | Madera County |
| Sacramento County |
The Delta region is not an AVA but we have collected the following counties geographically into this category. This is an area that contains some of the most fertile soils in the world. The Delta region is located east of San Francisco Bay and the Coastal Ranges and west of the Sierra Nevada Foothills in the west. The San Joaquin Valley is cooled by ocean breezes and fogs filtering through the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely grown grapes.
Stay tuned for information about these sub-AVAs.
| San Joaquin County | Siskiyou County |
| Stanislaus County |
The Bay Area AVA is marked by great diversity in geography and microclimates influenced by mountains, by the ocean and by valleys. Each region produces equal diversity in the character of the wines. The upper elevations of of the Santa Cruz Mountains, combined with the cool ocean breezes create dense, spicy fruitful wines. Valley regions have climates moderated by ocean fog that is blown into them.
Stay tuned for more information about the San Francisco Bay AVA.
| Alameda | Contra Costra |
| San Francisco | San Mateo |
| Santa Clara | Livermore Valley |
The Central Coast AVA is one of the largest and it stretches from San Francisco County south to Santa Barbara County. This area is 250 miles long and 25 miles wide. This region mostly features Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir all of which favor the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. Paso Robles is distinct within the region being 20 miles inland which allows for warm days but the topography brings ocean filtered air to cool the nights. This is an area of diverse topography creating the magical microclimates that allow for a diversity of varietals to thrive.
These pages will be available soon.
| Monterey | San Benito |
| San Luis Obispo | Santa Barbara |
| Santa Clara | Santa Crus |
| Arroyo Seco | Carmel Valley |
| Chalone | Hames Valley |
| San Bernabe | San Lucas |
| Santa Lucia Highalnds | Ben Lamond |
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