The Hyde family is known for their expertise in growing cool-climate grape varietals in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They originally planted Hyde Vineyard in the 1970s. Their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are well known around the world, and their Merlot isn’t one to let those alone share the spotlight. This Merlot is meticulously farmed, which gives the Bouchaine winemaking team the amazing opportunity to translate that incredible terroir into the bottle. 

Growing Season
The 2019 growing season will be remembered as a “Goldilocks” vintage. Not too cold, not too hot . . . but just right. Late rains in May had growers biting their nails as these storms can cause damage to vines that are flowering, leading to reduced crop. However, sunshine won that battle and the rains disappeared giving way to a long, consistent growing season throughout the summer. No major heat events appeared during harvest time allowing for beautiful ripening at an even pace. Juuuust right.

Vinification
All fruit is hand harvested at night, preserving berry integrity. After a 7-day cold soak, fruit is fermented with native yeast in an open top tank. Postfermentation, the wine is drawn off and the must placed into a basket press for gentle pressing. The wine completes malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and puncheons and is aged on the lees for 16 months before bottling.