Mer Soleil

Mer Soleil is a California Chardonnay estate from the Wagner Family of Wine — the same family behind Caymus — producing Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, named for the sea (“mer”) and sun (“soleil”) that define the appellation’s coastal growing conditions.

Browse all wine and Caymus and Wagner Family wines at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Santa Lucia Highlands distinctive for Chardonnay?

The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of California’s cooler Chardonnay appellations despite being in Monterey County — a warm region by California standards. The Highlands sit at 1,200–2,200 feet elevation, significantly cooler than the Salinas Valley floor below. Cold air drains down the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay each afternoon, producing the afternoon winds that lower growing temperatures dramatically and extend the growing season. The result is Chardonnay with California fruit ripeness — stone fruit, citrus, tropical notes — balanced by naturally higher acidity than warmer appellations can achieve. The combination of warmth during the day and cool nights  preserves the grape’s natural acids while allowing full flavor development.

What is the difference between Mer Soleil Silver and Reserve Chardonnay?

Silver is fermented in cement tanks (not oak) and bottled without barrel aging — producing a crisp, clean, mineral-driven Chardonnay with citrus and pear character and no vanilla or toasty oak influence. Reserve is barrel-aged in French oak, producing richer texture, baked apple, vanilla, and more complex mid-palate weight. The two represent the two dominant stylistic approaches to California Chardonnay: unoaked, linear, and mineral vs. oaked, textured, and layered. Silver is the better choice for those who prefer Chablis-style Chardonnay; Reserve for those who prefer white Burgundy or classic California barrel-fermented style.