Merlot
Estate varietal
One of six varieties on the estate
Sunstone grows Merlot on its Santa Ynez Valley estate, in blocks A through D on the shale terraces that step down toward the Santa Ynez River. Merlot is one of the six varieties planted in the estate vineyard, and the fruit is picked by hand. It is bottled as an estate wine, including a single-block bottling from D Block.
In the vineyard
How we grow it
Three shale terraces
Sunstone’s estate vineyards run parallel with the Santa Ynez River and step down toward it on three terraces, each on a foundation of Monterey shale. A 1988 geological survey of the property recorded those three terraces and the shale beneath them. Closer to the surface the river has left younger sand, gravel and loam — low in nutrients and excellent for drainage.
Where it’s planted
The Merlot sits in blocks A through D. D Block is bottled on its own, which is why the label carries the block name rather than just the vintage.
Region II mesoclimate
The estate sits in a moderate to warm Region II mesoclimate, in a part of the Santa Ynez Valley that typically sees a 30 to 40 degree Fahrenheit swing between day and night through the summer. Mild winters start the growing season early, and cool, breezy evenings and foggy mornings push the harvest later, so the ripening period is a long one. The Santa Ynez Valley was recognized as a viticultural area in 1983.
How it’s farmed
The fruit is grown without herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fungicides. Cover crops such as barley compete with the vines and host beneficial insects, and the fruit is harvested by hand. None of that is a certification.
Plan your visit
Try the current releases on the estate
Join the wine club for four shipments a year, or reserve a tasting to try the current releases on the estate.