The Bravante Vineyards 2013 Estate Merlot Rosé is grown just below the house on our Stone Ridge Vineyard.  50% of the juice is pressed cold right after harvest to preserve the freshness and keep it light. The same day we crush for our Estate Merlot, the rest of Block 1.  After 24 hours of cold soaking, we do one pump-over then ‘Saignée’ or bleed off the other 50% of the juice and blend them together.  This bled off juice gives the wine more color and body.  After they are blended the resulting juice settles for another 24 hours, I then rack the clear juice and commence fermentation.

The 2013 Merlot Rosé has aromas of strawberries and plums with hints of cloves. The wine is medium bodied with a nice acid balance. It has wonderful fruit flavors of strawberries and candy cherry. The finish is very smooth and easy drinking.