A Tasting with Winemaker Robbie Meyer of Murrieta's Well

A few years ago I had the opportunity to try for the first time some wines from Murietta’s Well based in Livermore, CA.  Last fall I attended a virtual tasting organized by Snooth and was led by Murietta’s Well’s winemaker, Robbie Meyer.  This is the second time I have been impressed by the quality of their wines and am thrilled to share them with you today. 

The Winery ~ Murietta’s Well 

Murrieta’s Well has been producing grapes since the late 1800’s and their original vine cuttings hail from the renown French wineries, Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margeaux.  The winery changed hands in 1940 when it was sold to the Wente family that still remains today.  The grapes are grown on 100 estate acres among a few different soils and terrain.  The wines produced are made in small batches that are expressive of the plots of land from which they are grown. 

The Wine District ~ Livermore Valley 

The Livermore wine appellation of California is located about an hour drive from San Francisco.  The area’s history in the wine industry was commercially developed in the 1840’s by Robert Livermore.  With about 4,000 acres of land dedicated to vines the area boasts over 50 wineries with reputable long-standing producers like Wente, Concannon and Wetmore.  With gravel soils being the key component to many of the acres it “reduces the vines’ vigor and increases flavor concentration in the grapes.”  The climate of the Livermore Valley is influenced by the Pacific Ocean with cooling breezes on summer days along with the morning fog rolling through the hills.

Photo courtesy of Livermore Valley Wine Country

The Wines 

2018 Murietta’s Well Dry Orange Muscat – My favorite of the tasting.  Crafted in a dry style to be versatile with a number of foods before it reaches too much sweetness on the palette.  The color of this wine is so inviting in the glass.  A beautiful display of aromatics displaying enticing floral notes, orange blossom with some spice.  Medium-bodied, refreshing acidity, citrus, orange, white flowers with a touch of spice. Robbie recommends pairing it with seafood. ABV 14.5% SRP $38 

2018 Murietta’s well Dry Rose – A newer wine to Murrieta’s Well this dry rose’ is made from a blend of 25% grenache, 42% counoise and 33% mourvedre.  As Robbie describes this wine and I couldn’t agree more that as a rose’ “it’s clean, lively and refreshing with substance”.  This wine shows wild strawberries, stone fruit with some herbal nuances.  Recommended by Robbie to pair with butternut squash risotto, grilled salmon.  ABV 13.5% SRP $32 

2017 Murietta’s Well The Spur – A blend of 64% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, 14% syrah and 9% petite verdot.  Robbie’s goal with this is to show sophistication.  Drawn in by the luscious black fruits including blackberries and plums.  Layer upon layer with licorice and spice combined with good acidity.  ABV 14.5% SRP $35 

2016 Murietta’s Well Merlot – Made of 95% merlot with 5% cabernet sauvignon.  Full-bodied with nice structure.  Lush flavors of black cherry, vanilla with hints of chocolate.  Recommendation of turkey piadina, pork or steak.  ABV 14% SRP $48 

Have you visited the Livermore Valley wine area?  If so, I’d love to hear about your journey through wine country.

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*Information sourced from Livermore Valley Wine Country & Murrieta's Well.  These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.