2022 Switchback Ridge Napa Valley Merlot

All estate fruit. Heady dark berries, round and smooth. With only 268 cases made this is now made by renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown About the producerThe inspiration to embark upon a family wine project first came to Kelly in 1995 with the death of her great aunt, Carrie. Auntie, as she was affectionately called, emphatically insisted that her old vine block of Petite Sirah, or "Pets" as she called them, "not be touched" when the property was replanted in 1990. At the time there was little respect or interest in Petite Sirah and total acreage in California was down to an all-time low of only 1,700 acres. After her death, there was a renewed interest in the variety and Kelly vowed to make a Petite Sirah varietal wine in her honor. That dream became a reality in 1999, with the help of family friend and winemaker Bob Foley, when Switchback Ridge produced its first vintage. Switchback Ridge is named for the winding trails in the hills above the vineyard that John explored as a chil