Merus Wines

Merus Wines is a small Napa Valley winery located in the prestigious St. Helena AVA. What was originally a “garage wine” has now transformed into a 10,000+ bottle operation, crafting a unique Cabernet Sauvignon that has been celebrated by renowned critics, from Robert Parker to the Wine Spectator. Rich, full-bodied, and fruit-forward, Merus Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa wine lover’s dream, representing an accessible entry to the region’s robust blends.

Merus Winery: “Garagiste” Beginnings

Merus Winery was founded in 1998 by Erika Gottl and Mark Herold in the couple’s two-door Napa Valley garage. The pair named the estate after the Latin term “Merus,” translating to “undiluted" and "pure.” Herold was inspired by the growing wine scene in 1990s Napa Valley, abandoning his career as a chef and later obtaining a Ph.D. in Ecology from U.C. Davis.

After graduating, Herold convinced some friends to plant Cabernet Sauvignon on a small Coombsville vineyard, using these vines for the inaugural 1998 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon. The vintage instantly dazzled drinkers and critics and was labelled "one of the finest wines of the vintage" by Robert Parker. Following its success, Gottl and Herald developed the estate into a serious venture, earning a cult following before selling Merus to William Foley, owner of Foley Family Estates, in 2007.

Under Foley, Merus Winery purchased a 7,000 square foot "ghost winery" on Crystal Springs Road near St. Helena. The land, formerly called Rossini Ranch, was built in 1891 and became a haven for Swiss and Italian immigrants during the late 19th century. Equipped with caves and a winery, the land was abandoned at the onset of Prohibition and was not tended to until Foley's purchase. With immense renovations and refurbishments, the parcel was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, allowing Merus to grow from "garagiste" to upscale, boutique winery. 

Merus Napa Valley: Terroir and Winemaking

Merus Winery operates as a negociant in Napa Valley, working with small vineyards to acquire Cabernet Sauvignon for each vintage. The Merus winemaking team, led by Michael Beaulac and Sierra Zeiter, works closely with the vineyards to monitor grape development and pick the fruit at peak ripeness. Once transported to the St. Helena winery, the fruit undergoes gentle destemming, whole berry fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and is pumped over several times a day. Furthermore, the Merus team elects to use malolactic fermentation in barrels and ages the wine in the humidity and temperature-controlled caves. 

Merus Cabernet Sauvignon

The flagship Merus Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from vineyards in St. Helena, Stags Leap, and Coombsville. The unique blend of terroirs provides a distinct profile to the final blend; bottles are known for their deep ruby color, dark berry aromas, and dense tannins. Each vintage contains around 3-5% of Petit Verdot, but is mainly comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 500 cases of Merus Cabernet are produced each year, making this wine a highly coveted bottle on the Napa market.

When speaking about the wine, critics have celebrated Merus' energy, richness, and fruit-forward flavors. Bottles are known to last for up to 15 years when properly stored in the cellar, attaining new dimensions with each growing year. 

Merus Chardonnay

The Merus Chardonnay has been noted as one of Napa Valley's strongest white wines. With fruit sourced from Pritchard Hill, the resulting blend features aromas of honeysuckle and lemon meringue, a delectable creamy texture, and full-bodied mouthfeel.

Add a Bottle of Merus Wine

Merus Wine is the perfect bottle for Cabernet drinkers looking to add boutique Napa wine to their cellar at an accessible price. Bottle start under $150, providing an excellent cellar addition for discerning customers. Discover your next Napa Valley wine gem today.