In 1883, after apprenticeship with Charles Krug, C.H. Wente laid the foundations of the now legendary Wente Winery. He quickly realized that the Livermore Valley, with its warm days, cool nights, and gravelly soil, offered perfect conditions for viticulture. This led to the purchase of fifty acres of land where he planted his vines. With the support of his sons, Ernest and Herman, and later generations of the Wente family, the company grew to become the oldest continuously family-owned winery. Today, the Wente legacy extends across two thousand acres in the Livermore Valley and San Francisco Bay Area, with an additional 800 acres in Arroyo Seco and Monterey.
Our Wente Sandstone Merlot is a magnificent manifestation of Bordeaux grapes, grown on the rolling hills and fertile valleys. The Livermore Valley, with its warm days, cool nights, permeable sandstone soils, and fresh breezes from San Francisco Bay, offers the perfect conditions for growing Merlot and other Bordeaux grapes. Each grape that contributes to Wente Sandstone Merlot is hand-picked, fermented, and aged for nearly a year in separate barrels before being harmoniously blended. When you taste this Merlot, you'll be treated to lush aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, blackberry, and fig, enriched with notes of toast, brown sugar, and spice. The palate is refined, with bright acidity and inviting tannins combining for a memorable finish.
When you choose Wente Sandstone Merlot, you're choosing not just a wine, but a story, a tradition, and a passion that spans generations. Every glass of Wente Sandstone Merlot invites you to discover the rich history and loving care poured into each bottle. Cheers to the unparalleled taste and quality of Wente Sandstone Merlot!
