Wolffer Releases Christian’s Cuvée Merlot

The staff at Wölffer Estate Vineyard pride themselves on staying true to their heritage and committed to producing premium quality wines. This autumn will mark a momentous release for their most prestigious wine, 2017 Christian’s Cuvée Merlot. This flagship wine release, named in honor of the Estate’s larger than life founder Christian Wölffer, will mark the auspicious 13th year in production. The first Christian’s Cuvée was created during the 2000 vintage, which debuted in 2004. This marked the first $100 bottle of wine on the East Coast and established a bold statement about the superior quality of Wölffer wines.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard was founded in 1988 by Christian Wölffer. It was on the East End that the first French Rosé style wines were made in the United States. Today, the estate is owned and operated by his children Marc and Joey along with partner and winemaker Roman Roth who was a dear friend to Christian Wölffer. Together as a family, they have continued to produce premium, distinctive wines, ciders, and spirits through dedication to quality, a penchant for style, and celebration of place. They have created a Wölffer lifestyle, one based on its youthful spirit and eye towards innovation.

The 2017 release of Christian’s Cuvée holds to their high standard of winemaking! This Flagship wine is only crafted during the best vintages when the grapes are at a significant level of ripeness and concentration. The 2017 growing season was exceptional. With a warm year and a good amount of rainfall to fully ripen the fruit, it also maintained a nice acidity. After a long hang time, the grapes were delicately hand-harvested on October 20.

"It is a wonderful feeling that we can honor our founder Christian Wölffer with this exceptional wine,” said Roman Roth, winemaker and partner. “Dreams do come true!"

The finished product is classic with beautiful lush fruit and licorice, fine leather aromas and great concentration, of ripe soft tannins, and well-integrated oak. This Merlot is classically balanced and can age and be enjoyed for many years to come.