The grapes come from estate vineyards in the Sonoma and Russian River valleys, as well as from growers in Sonoma County's other top appellations, including Alexander Valley and Rockpile. All grapes are hand harvested, gently destemmed and crushed before cold soaking to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is then inoculated with many different yeast strains to build complexity, and fermented in separate lots using a combination of pump-overs and rack-and-return to soften tannins. The wine is matured in oak barrels.TASTING NOTEThis Merlot is smooth and elegant with classic flavors and aromas of cherry, chocolate and plum. Its silky structure is balanced by soft tannins and a bold, lengthy finish.FOOD PAIRINGExcellent with beef, duck and blue cheese.POINTS OF DISTINCTIONA classic California Merlot with luscious hints of plum and chocolateMatured for 14 months in oak barrels for a complex flavor
Sustainable
POINTS OF DISTINCTIONSt. Francis Winery has created hand-crafted wines from Sonoma County's best appellations for more than 30 years.A pioneer in helping to define the vineyards and grape varieties Sonoma is known for today; first to plant Merlot in Sonoma ValleyA regional leader in green practices, including initiatives in recycled packaging and water and energy conservationOwners of over 415 acres of vineyard land in prime AVAs including Sonoma and Russian River ValleysFruit-forward, luscious and well-balanced wines made from 100% handpicked fruitSt. Francis wines are food-friendly and ready to drinkTHE FOUNDINGIn 1971, businessman Joe Martin and his wife, Emma, purchased a 100-acre vineyard known as Behler Ranch in the Sonoma Valley town of Kenwood. The fruit from this vineyard was sold to area wineries until 1979, when a winery was built to produce estate-bottled wine. St. Francis Winery was named after St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and protector of the natural world.DEFINING SONOMAAt the time when St. Francis Winery was beginning to bottle its own wine, there were only a handful of wineries in Sonoma and the region was searching for an identity. The arrival of winemaker Tom Mackey in 1983 was the beginning of important growth at St. Francis and in Sonoma, as he and St. Francis helped to pioneer a Sonoma Valley style and pinpoint the varieties that were ideally suited to Sonoma soils. St. Francis was the first in the region to plant and bottle Merlot, and soon introduced Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines to the portfolio. The winery's first "Old Vines" Zinfandel was released in 1989, establishing one of its star varietal offerings and contributing to Sonoma County's growing reputation for top-quality Zinfandel. Today, a team of winemakers, including Christopher Louton and Katie Madigan, play an integral role in continuing St. Francis' success.
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