2016 Merlot, Suisun Valley — $125 - SOLD OUT
So you want Napa quality but you want to pay Lodi prices? The Suisun Valley has you covered. Though often overshadowed by their famous neighboring county to the North, the reputation of the Suisun Valley is changing quickly. In 2016 Napa big shot winery Caymus released their inaugural Suisun wine and so we got to work figuring out where their fruit was coming from and discovered one of their sources to be the this gem of a Merlot vineyard. The vines run along Suisun Creek and the alluvial fan that spreads out across the valley originates here. The soils feature large amounts of alluvium mixed into Sycamore Silty Loam and volcanic gravels. This is coolest section of the valley and Steelhead still run up the creek each winter. The vineyard was planted in the late 80’s making it one of the oldest and lowest yielding sites in the AVA.
The Suisun Valley itself is located just south of the Napa Valley between the volcanic St. George range to the west and the sandstone laden Vaca Range to the east.
Available now — shipping weekly from our Oregon distribution center.
Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must
Product will arrive partially frozen.
Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley, CA
Brix: 28.9 | pH: 3.87 | TA: 3.7 g/L | YAN: 91 mg/L
ETS report excerpt available in photos, or click here.
Harvested and destemmed: October 6, 2026
2026 Alsace Vineyard Merlot
A Rare Expression from Rutherford’s Alsace Vineyard
Just north of Oakville and bordering the Silverado Trail, Alsace Vineyard lies within one of Rutherford’s most prized corridors of red and brown gravelly loam. These well-drained soils and optimal sun exposure yield fruit that balances power with precision — the hallmark of this legendary AVA.
Under the meticulous care of Garvey Vineyard Management, the 2019-planted Clone 15 Merlot ripens evenly, developing deep tones of plum, blackberry, and earthy spice while maintaining freshness and structure. The result is a modern, poised expression of Rutherford Merlot — rich in character yet refined in texture.
Renowned among Napa insiders, Alsace Vineyard has produced wines earning up to 99 points (Wine Spectator) and 97 points (Robert Parker), cementing its reputation as one of the region’s elite sites. Here, warm afternoon sun, cool nighttime air, and the area’s distinctive “dusty” minerality converge to craft fruit with depth, elegance, and unmistakable Rutherford pedigree.
Flavor Profile & Winemaking Potential
The berries are loaded with dark fruit and plum, blackberry, and black cherry flavors, supported by classic earth and spice notes. For Merlot, the fruit shows an unusually vivid, spicy character that adds complexity without losing balance.
Expect excellent tannic structure and enough natural acidity to produce wines with richness, grip, and age-worthy depth — ideal for winemakers seeking a bold yet refined Rutherford Merlot.
Highlights
Vineyard: Alsace Vineyard, Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
Varietal: Merlot (Clone 15)
Planted: 2019
Soils: Red and brown gravelly loam with excellent drainage
Farming: Sustainable and fish-friendly, managed by Garvey Vineyard Management
Flavor potential: Plum, blackberry, spice, herbs, earth, and long fine-tannin finish
Retail comparison: Finished wines from this vineyard have earned up to 99 points (Wine Spectator) and 97 points (Robert Parker)
Extremely limited. Singular to Rutherford.
Farming Practices
Weed Management
☐ No herbicides used
☑ Limited herbicide use (typically one targeted application per season)
☐ Mechanical weed control only
☐ Information not available
Shipping & availability
Available now and shipping weekly from our Oregon distribution center. See our current shipping and delivery details for order cutoffs and delivery options.
Provenance Note: This product is made from fruit sourced from Alsace Vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley. The vineyard name is used here for factual origin reference only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation.