Gainey Vineyards Santa Ynez Valley Merlot 2017 750ML

Merlot from Santa Ynez Valley, Calfornia

Notes from the Winemaker

The 2017 Estate Grown Merlot is a sumptuous red wine boasting fragrant black cherry and dark plum aromas mingled with appealing vanilla, milk chocolate and light herbal scents. Juicy and succulent on the palate, the wine’s concentrated dark cherry, plum and cassis flavors gain a zesty tea-leaf spice tone in the long, savory finish.

Beautifully balanced, with supple tannins, this Merlot is delicious with poultry, duck, game and beef dishes, but it handsomely rewards an additional 3-4 years of bottle aging.

The Gainey Vineyards

In 1962, Daniel C. and son Daniel J. Gainey purchased an 1,800 acre ranch on the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Gainey Ranch, a combination of cattle, farming, and Arabian horse breeding, became the largest diversified ranching operation in the valley.

Dan J. Gainey retired in 1984 to devote himself to fulfilling his dream of making wine. In 1983, he planted 51 acres of vineyards on the northern boundary of the Gainey Ranch and in November of 1984 the 12,000 square foot Spanish-style winery opened its doors to visitors. Soon after, Dan H. Gainey joined his father and together the father-son team have set out to produce premium, hand-crafted wines made from the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County.

With over 40 years of farming experience behind them, the Gaineys have a connection to the land that few vintners may share. Since the original vineyard planting in 1983, the Gaineys have added 32 acres to their "Home" Ranch, which is primarily planted to the Bordeaux varietals Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In 1996, they purchased 120 acres on the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, a cooler growing region more suitable for Burgundian varietals. In 1997, they planted 35 acres at this "Santa Rosa Hills" Ranch to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, with plans for further plantings in the years ahead.