OVERVIEW
Our Merlot is a red wine lovers dream come true! Especially lover's of high-end Right Bank Bordeaux. Made from certified sustainable grapes grown on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, where the cool climate gives a more elegant Merlot than the big, plush style you may know from California.
IIn the cellar, we let the fruit lead, using about 25% new French oak for a kiss of vanilla and a touch of cinnamon that never covers up the cherry and raspberry. Poised and polished, it unfolds on the palate, where velvety tannins and bright acidity give this dry Merlot the backbone to age beautifully. Before it was even a year old, it won a silver medal at the Indiana State Fair, and we see gold in its future as it ages and develops.
IF YOU LIKE... Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec
You'll love this Merlot. Cabernet fans will find the body, complexity and tannins they look for, wrapped in a velvety texture. Malbec lovers will feel right at home with its fruit-forward cherry and raspberry.
SIP SMARTER
Want to go even deeper? We geek out on this stuff regularly, find information, inspiration, and more on our blog.
TASTING NOTES:
Color: vibrant purplish ruby, with medium-plus depth.
Nose: reminiscent of a Right Bank Bordeaux. Primary aromas of red fruit a cherry lead and raspberry close behind, both leaning a touch jammy. Vanilla and a warm touch of cinnamon follow, with a faint hint of bay leaf in the background.
Palate: the highlight of this wine is on the palate where great body meet velvety tannins. And true to the nose cherry flavors lead to a raspberry finish.
Finish: the most wonderful lingering raspberry finish just begging for a bite of chocolate.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Style = Dry Still Red, Bordeaux Style
Varietal(s) = 100% Merlot, certified sustainable
Source = Leelenau Penninsula, Michigan
ABV = 13.0%
Residual Sugar = SUPER LOW (< 1 g/L)
Oak = 25% new French oak
Bottle Size = 750mL
FUN FACTS:
It's named for a bird. Merlot (mer-LOH) most likely comes from merle, French for blackbird. That's a nod to its dark berries, or to the birds that love to eat them.
It's a Bordeaux original. First recorded there in 1784, it's now the region's most widely planted grape and the heart of Right Bank wines like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
It makes some of the world's priciest wine. Pomerol's Pétrus is made entirely from Merlot and at the time of this writing averages around $4,000 a bottle. #aspirations
It has famous family. Merlot is a natural cross of Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, which makes it a half-sibling of Cabernet Sauvignon.
It's an early riser. Merlot has thinner skins than Cabernet Sauvignon and ripens up to two weeks earlier. That head start is why it can succeed in cooler places like Michigan.
Great acidity means fewer sulfites. Our Merlot measures about 3.6 pH, perfect for a red wine. Many warm-climate reds push 4.0 or higher, and at 4.0 a winemaker has to add about 2.5 times as much sulfite to get the same protection. A win for cool-climate wines!
It survived Hollywood. In the 2004 major motion picture film Sideways, Miles refuses to drink Merlot while fanboying over Pinot. His stance is often credited for the decline of Merlot and rise of Pinot Noir. Super wine nerd twist though, his prized bottle of 1961 Cheval Blanc is a Cabernet Franc–Merlot blend.
SERVE:
Serve around 60–65°F, just below room temperature. If the bottle is room temp, throwing it in the fridge for 20 minutes before pouring will get you there. Serving in a standard red wine glass gives the cherry and vanilla room to open up, but you do you, this wine will taste great in any container.
Got leftovers? Recork the bottle, refrigerate it, and enjoy within 3–5 days. Let it sit out for a few minutes before pouring.
FOOD PAIRINGS:
Easy Pairing: Steak, pork or mushrooms dishes. Bold protein dishes pair beautifully with the velvety tannins and great acidity stand up to a hearty dinner without taking over the plate.
Showstopper: Build a charcuterie board around Nightshade, a creamy, Parmesan-style cheese from Tulip Tree Creamery, and finish with a raspberry flavored chocolate (keep it to 60% cocoa or lower or the acidity of the wine will clash with the bitterness the chocolate). Our favorite is a raspberry chocolate around 40–50% cocoa, which echoes the raspberry on the palate.
COCKTAILS:
Looking to elevate your drink? Try it in a classic sangria or mulled wine recipe.
Merlot New York Sour
A classic whiskey sour with a layer of red wine floating on top. Serves 1.
2 oz rye or bourbon
1 oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
½ oz The Rejoicing Vine Merlot
Optional: 1 egg white, for a silky foam
Shake the whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup (plus the egg white, if using) with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Slowly pour the Merlot over the back of a spoon so it floats in a ruby layer on top.
MORE TO EXPLORE:
If you enjoy the Merlot consider trying these wines:
Pinot Noir: Our other dry still red, also made from certified sustainable grapes, with cherry, hibiscus and raspberry. A natural next bottle for Merlot fans.
Pinot Gris: A crisp, dry still white made from certified sustainable grapes, with citrus, white peach and mineral notes.
Blackberry Bliss - Looking for a sweeter red option with similar berry undertones? Look no further.
LEARN MORE:
Check back soon for more learning materials
MERLOT FAQs:
What does The Rejoicing Vine Merlot taste like?
Cherry leads on the nose with raspberry close behind, followed by vanilla and a warm touch of cinnamon. On the palate, great body meets velvety tannins, ending in a long raspberry finish.
Is this Merlot dry or sweet?
It's dry, with less than 1 g/L of residual sugar and 13% ABV.
Where are the grapes grown?
At SIP Certified vineyard on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula.
What does SIP Certified mean?
SIP (Sustainability in Practice) is a third-party certification for vineyards and wineries. It covers habitat conservation, a ban on high-risk pesticides, fair treatment of workers and sound business practices, with independent audits and annual renewal.
What food pairs with Merlot?
Steak, pork and mushroom dishes. For a cheese board, try Tulip Tree Creamery's Nightshade, and finish with chocolate at 60% cocoa or lower. A raspberry chocolate is our favorite.
What temperature should I serve Merlot?
Around 60–65°F, just below room temperature. Chill a room-temperature bottle in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before pouring.
I usually drink Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec. Will I like this Merlot?
We think so. Malbec fans will find the fruit-forward cherry and raspberry they love, and Cabernet fans will find the body, complexity and tannins they look for.
Can I age this Merlot?
Yes. It drinks well now, and its great acidity gives it the structure to age [X years — confirm].
Has this Merlot won any awards?
Yes. Before it was even a year old (SUPER young for a red), it won a silver medal at the 2026 Indiana State Fair.
Where can I taste or buy it in Indianapolis?
Visit our tasting room at 8440 W 82nd St in northwest Indianapolis. You can also order online through Vinoshipper, and we'll ship it to your home.