1999 Sebastiani Sonoma County Merlot

Sebastiani Vineyards of Sonoma was founded in 1904 by Samuele Sebastiani, a Tuscan immigrant who worked as a stone mason in the Sonoma hills before buying land for vineyards. His winery supplied wine to San Francisco until Prohibition, which the winery survived by making sacramental wine. By the 1960s and 1970s the family-run business was one of the largest winemakers in California and was known primarily for sweet, bulk wines. Various members of the family have left over the years to start their own winemaking ventures and today the estate is owned by Bill Foley of Foley Family Wines. The estate makes a broad portfolio of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.