Description

Our Sauvignon Blanc is a very small, hand-crafted and artisan produced wine. The techniques used go back to the time Winemaker Simon Faury spent in Bordeaux working for one of the most renowned Sauvignon Blanc and white wine producers in the world, Domaine de Chevalier. First we use the basket press, which delivers very low yields but extracts at low pressure giving us only the best juices-the clearest with the highest acidity. This results in a wine that is deep and rich with aromas of stone fruit, citrus, guava and grapefruit. Fresh and lively on the mouth, our Sauvignon Blanc is very balanced with a nice weight and freshness overall. The finish is very floral with a touch of savory herbs.

Producer Description

1933The winery was built by Jack Riorda and a group of partners. Initially called Sunnyhill Winery, it was rechristened to Sunny St. Helena Winery a short time later.1937Ceasare Mondavi father of Peter and Robert became a partner with Mr. Riorda. Peter and Robert Mondavi had their first winemaking experiences at Sunny St. Helena. In fact, it was here that they both experimented with cold fermentation for the first time. During this period, the winery produced one million gallons per year of bulk wine that was shipped east in rail cars for bottling by distributors.1946The winery was sold to a small cooperative of Napa Valley growers and it functioned as a co-op for five years before being purchased by Charles Forni, a notable Napa Valley vintner of the time. The winery appears to have continued to operate as a cooperative at this time.1972Carlo Forni sold Sunny St. Helena to Mont La Salle Vineyards (The Christian Brothers). The Christian Brothers used the facility for storage and wine aging, not making wine here during that time.1983The first Red Table Wine labeled as Merryvale was produced at a custom crush facility in Calistoga.1986The Sunny St. Helena facility was purchased by Bill Harlan and partners.1988After restoring the winery to full operation, Harlan and partners opened the winery as Sunny St. Helena in 1988.1991Jack Schlatter became a partner, opening export markets throughout Europe and Asia for the Merryvale brand.Sunny St. Helena changed its name to Merryvale Vineyards.1996In 1996 Jack and his family became the sole owners of Merryvale Vineyards.1997Schlatter Family Estate Vineyard was developed under the direction of Michel Rolland; planted and farmed by David Abreu Vineyard Management. Located east of St. Helena the site features 25 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.2007The Merryvale Vineyards winery building was renovated to become a luxury-class facility with small temperature controlled fermentors, intensive sorting equipment, a basket press, a cold room and other resources to produce great wine.2008Rene9 Schlatter, who had joined company in 1995, became Proprietor & CEO.