Our Estate Merlot comes from head-trained vines planted in 1986, on a gentle north facing slope at 2,700ft. These old vines produce balanced, elegant merlot, with ample concentration and tremendous depth. Dark fruit dominates the nose. One of our darkest red wines, flavors of plum, blackberry jam, clove, cedar, and menthol are on nose. On the palate, a smooth finish, framed by well-integrated tannins, and bright acidity.

Dark fruit dominates the nose. One of our darkest red wines, flavors of plum, blackberry jam, clove, cedar, and menthol are on nose. On the palate, a smooth finish, framed by well-integrated tannins, and bright acidity.

Lava Cap is a third-generation family farm founded in 1986 in Placerville, California, high in the Sierra Nevada Foothills at an elevation of 2700 feet. Our estate mountain-grown grapes are sourced from some of the highest vineyards in California. Our unique volcanic soils, weathered from ancient ash flows, produce wines that are intensely aromatic and luscious with deep, rich fruit erupting with flavor.

Millions of years ago, the Sierra Nevada mountains roiled with volcanic activity, and lava flowed down from the mountains, covering the foothills. Over thousands of years, much of the hardened lava deteriorated away, but select areas in the Sierra Nevada foothills still have volcanic soil, which is ideally suited to the production of fine wine grapes. The Jones family grows grapes on one of the few special volcanic sites, at an elevation of 2,700ft. The name "Lava Cap" reflects the unique topography of the site. This "lava cap" is one of the reasons why the wines are so special.

Proof/ABV: 13