Winemaker Notes
For 45 years, Markham Vineyards has been a leader in crafting world-class Bordeaux varietals in Napa Valley, with Merlot taking center stage. They honor the heritage of the remarkable Napa Valley wine growing region with every grape grown, every wine bottled, every sip savored. From decades of sustainable farming to our unwavering passion for Merlot, they celebrate the adventurous spirit of Napa while embracing the unique voice of the land. "Merlot is the flagship wine here at Markham. With 260 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards and land, each of our Merlot wines are reflective of the distinctive AVAs across the Napa Valley," Kimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker. Each of their exceptional wines is a nuanced expression of the region's character, born of the soil and nurtured with respect for yesterday's successes and a passion for tomorrow's discoveries.
Markham has always embodied a spirit of creativity and collaboration. From building the iconic stone cellar, to firing a cannon annually in the vineyards, to crafting their signature Merlot, the Markham story continues to evolve, grow and be enriched by each voice's unique mark of character.
WOMEN-LED WINEMAKING & VITICULTURE TEAM
Markham is honored to have Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls at the helm of the Markham winemaking team. When Kim began her career three decades ago, she was one of the first female winemakers in the Napa Valley. Today, women winemakers in Napa Valley still only represent 12% of the total, and Kim remains among the very few who specialize in Merlot.
VINEYARDS
"Great wines can only develop from superior grapes,” said Bruce Markham, Founder. Markham's 260 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards and land span the Napa Valley from north to south. The diversity of soil, climate and terrain in their vineyards offer Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls an extraordinary palette of flavor and texture at harvest time, adding depth and nuance to each and every Markham wine.
SUSTAINABILITY ISN’T SOMETHING THEY DO – IT'S WHO THEY ARE
It's woven into the fabric of Markham's being and considered at every touchpoint, from soil to fruit and cellar to glass. The character of Markham's wines is intrinsically tied to the health of the soil and the vines, and Markham is committed to delivering excellence beyond just the wine inside the bottles. Since July 2022, Markham's winery and estate vineyards are certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. For Markham sustainability made includes the following:
• 100% Wastewater Recycling
• 100% Environmentally Preferred Packaging
• 100% of Grape Pomace Used for Compost
• 100% Deep Green Energy
• 100% Recycling Program
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.