Basic Info

Since 1999, the Blackbird Vineyard (a former walnut orchard first planted with 5,717 Merlot vines in 1997) quietly provided fruit to many of Napa's finest winemakers, for whom it yielded astonishing comments from Napa Valley veterans and noteworthy editorialists. Purchased by Michael Polenske in 2003, Blackbird Vineyards is now an ultra-premium label in its own right. Fittingly, the word 'Merlot' is French patois for 'little blackbird.' Since the premier release with our 2003 vintage, Blackbird Vineyards' winemaking team has handcrafted truly expressive wines with a focus on the varieties of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. By utilizing the natural advantage of a 10-acre estate vineyard which produces exceptional Merlot in the Oak Knoll District--along with meticulously sourcing fruit of comparable quality--our portfolio reflects artisanal, terroir-driven wines of pedigree with each vintage. With the designation of Napa's fourteenth AVA in 2004, the Oak Knoll District is well poised to bring forth the prominence and elegance of Napa Valley Merlot - with an inspiration from Pomerol. The Merlot based wines of Pomerol have historically challenged the first growths of Bordeaux, a forbearer to Oak Knoll's future. Similar to the Pomerol region of Bordeaux, the Oak Knoll District is akin in its soil composition, microclimate, and rural qualities. Our affinity for Merlot (and other Bordeaux varietals) is reflected in each wonderfully aromatic, rich, and polished vintage.