HARVEST 2022 WAS A WHIRLWIND: FAST, FURIOUS AND EXTRAORDINARY!

The 2022 Harvest officially started on August 22nd with Sauvignon Blanc, followed almost immediately by Pinot Noir for Rosé and our Solstice Sparkling wine. We experienced quite the heat wave the first week of September with temperatures reaching 113° to 118°F in some areas of the Napa Valley. As you can imagine, these temperatures created a sense of urgency in the vineyards. We brought in a lot of fruit that week, and even harvested some Cabernet Sauvignon before Chardonnay!

The Profile Estate and Mt. Veeder estate vineyards were all picked the second week of September — the earliest ever for the Profile Estate! The quality is amazing but the yield is well below average. It was a very condensed harvest as we finished receiving grapes from all vineyards by the end of September. The Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from our newest estate vineyard off Wall Road in the Mt. Veeder AVA and the Petite Arvine from Stanly Ranch in Carneros were the last to be picked. Though the pace of this harvest was unprecedented, we look forward to some outstanding wines from the 2022 vintage!

MUSIC ON THE MERRYVALE TERRACE EXTENDED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR
October usually marks the end of our season of al fresco dining, wine and live music. However, since everyone has been having such a great time, we’ve decided to keep the party going into December. On first and third Fridays in November and the first Friday of December the music will start at 4pm and end at 6pm to maximize the shorter daylight hours. Click here for the dates and full music line-up. We look forward to celebrating the start of the weekend with you!

DON’T MISS THE MERRYVALE EMPANADA EXPERIENCE – NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
For years we’ve wanted to create a special food and wine experience featuring Merryvale wines alongside a selection of savory empanadas. And when San Francisco’s El Porteno Empanadas opened a location in Napa’s Oxbow Market, the stars aligned to make this delicious dream a reality. This experience features three savory empanadas chosen for their ability to pair with our 2020 Silhouette Chardonnay, 2019 Brown Ranch Pinot Noir, 2019 Napa Merlot and 2014 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. The pairing ends sweetly with an apple spice empanada paired with Antigua. Our Empanada Experience is available by advance appointment only during November and December. The price is $85/person and complimentary for Club Member groups of up to four. Space is limited, so click here to make your reservation early to join us for this food and wine experience that’s been years in the making.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO GIVE THE GIFT OF MERRYVALE
With large format bottles, digital gift cards, Wine Club gift memberships and a wide selection of customizable gift sets, you’ll find a gift for every wine lover on your list at Merryvale. We even have a selection of continually refreshed Merryvale logo merchandise available. Peruse our online offerings here and call or email with any questions, special requests or assistance with corporate gifting.

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10TH FROM 6:00-10:00PM
Holiday celebrations in our historic Cask Room promise a magical start to this joyful and wondrous time of year. Gather your family and friends and join Proprietors René and Laurence Schlatter for a night of exquisite food, wine, music and memories. A beautiful multi-course dinner will be created by Chef Nash of Tre Posti followed by live music and dancing. Get your tickets here and join us for a night to remember.

The Merryvale Events Team:  Natalie Wren (left) and Casey Curiel (right)

MEET THE MERRYVALE EVENTS TEAM:
Casey Curiel, Events Manager
Casey just celebrated her fifth year as Event Manager for our private events and Merryvale’s annual celebrations this past October. Be sure to cheers her with a glass of Sparkling Solstice when you see her this December at the Holiday Dinner in the Cask Room (December 10th – wink, wink). Casey has a natural love for celebrating life’s milestones, whether it be her own or the people that surround her. She thrives on making these special moments a celebration to remember for years to come! A warm smile and bubbly laugh are her trademarks. Casey is a Napa native, and has grown up within the hospitality industry, with her first job hustling cheese at the local farmer’s market. She developed her skills further as a Concierge, independent Events Planner and even Spa Manager — where she learned her “inside voice” doesn’t exist. When not welcoming you at the winery and pouring you some fabulous Merryvale Wines, Casey is usually found shuffling around her three adorable kids to school, karate, and too many birthday parties to mention. When she does have a moment to relax, you can find her poolside with a cocktail, enjoying a good meal around town, or binge watching the next best series on Netflix. Reach out to Casey when you’re ready to plan your next big event — or want to join us for Merryvale’s parties!

Natalie Wren, Events Coordinator
Natalie joined the Merryvale Events Team in May of 2021. Once a private event is booked, she shepherds the entire process, from picking linens to bidding departing guests farewell. In addition to coordinating our private events, Natalie is an integral part of planning and hosting our Club Member events. She always looks for ways to increase an event’s Wow-factor, and especially enjoys dazzling guests with personally crafted, grand centerpieces. Natalie started her wine career in the cellar as a harvest intern and has explored roles in the tasting room, wine club, retail, shipping, and of course events! When she’s not busy planning and hosting Merryvale wine lovers, Natalie loves trying out new recipes and hiking around Sonoma County.

IN THIS SHIPMENT…
YOUR WINTER WINE CLUB RELEASES

Your membership wine preferences determine which of these wines you will receive.
2020 Silhouette Chardonnay
The 2020 Silhouette is everything we love about great Chardonnay — bright, fresh, full, complex, long and delicious. Sourced from our Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard, the Silhouette has been our very best Chardonnay bottling since the first vintage in 1993.
Food Pairing:  The Silhouette Chardonnay will pair very well with Pumpkin Risotto.
Ageability:   This stunning wine will continue to evolve over the next 10+ years.
2019 Merlot, Coombsville, Napa Valley
Coombsville is probably our favorite Merlot growing region in the Napa Valley — it’s cool climate and volcanic soils produce fruit that is lush, soft, and expressive. With notes of ripe plum, blueberries, mocha, and graphite, the wine feels like relaxing into a purple velvet pillow.
Food Pairing:  Pair this Coombsville Merlot with Beef Wellington for the holidays.
Ageability:   Enjoy this wine over the next 10 years.
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Drawn from top Napa vineyards including Stagecoach, Hardman Stanton and Greenwood, this wine exhibits classic Napa Cabernet
characteristics with surprising depth.
Food Pairing:   Enjoy this Napa Cab with Tofu Stir-fried with Chili Soy Sauce, Sesame Seeds and Peppers.
Ageability:   With proper cellaring, this wine will drink beautifully for the next 15 years.
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Saint Helena, Napa Valley
Coming from the loamier part of our estate vineyard, this wine reflects the intensity and dark character that we get from this incredible site. With grapes selected from younger vines and the south facing block of this vineyard, our Saint Helena Cabernet is an example of a powerful style of wine that is elegant and very enjoyable.
Food Pairing:   Our Saint Helena Cabernet will pair well with Roasted Lamb Shank with Garlic and Rosemary.
Ageability:   Already eight years old and drinking beautifully now, with proper cellaring, this wine will be enjoyable for another 10+ years.
Antigua Dessert Wine
This wine is a complex combination of nuts and orange-peel aromas. Thick and rich in the mouth, the nuts and orange-peel theme continues from the entry through the long finish.
Food Pairing:   Enjoy the Antigua with Tiramisu, Crème Brulée, Almond Biscotti or Pecan Pie.
Ageability:   This fortified wine can be opened and enjoyed over many months.

User Choice Wines:

2019 Chardonnay, Carneros
This Chardonnay is the best example of everything we love from the Carneros region.
2019 Pinot Noir, Brown Ranch, Carneros
A Pinot Noir for those who love the classic Carneros New World style from one of the great Carneros Pinot vineyards.
2018 Syrah, Stanly Ranch Estate, Carneros
Aromas of cassis and bridle leather are balanced with white pepper and geranium.
2017 Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley
Aromatically alluring, our Cabernet Franc opens with tones of licorice, coffee, toast and blackberry.
2016 Oakville Grade Red Wine, Napa Valley
A classic example of everything that is great about Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN 2023!

Here’s a quick look at the events we have planned for 2023! Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out!
February, throughout the month — Wine & Chocolate Pairing in the Tasting Room
Saturday, April 22nd — 40th Anniversary Profile Library Event
Sunday, May 21st — Vino & Pizza Release Party
Saturday, August 5th — Annual Lobster Feed on the Terrace
Sunday, September 24th — Annual Harvest Party
Saturday, October 7th — Profile Brunch & Release Event at the Estate Vineyard
November, throughout the month — Wine & Food Pairing in the Tasting Room
Saturday, December 9th — Annual Holiday Dinner in the Cask Room

Don’t forget to get your tickets to this year’s Holiday Dinner AND find more information about all our events here!

Special Savings on Club Shipment Wines

Take advantage of your discount on case purchases of this shipment’s featured wines through the end of January. Click here to choose your favorites!

Remember to Refer A Friend to our Wine Club… And reap the benefits of our “Merry Messenger” Program! Click here for the details!

Until next time,
The Merryvale Family