Enjoy this locally crafted, exquisite merlot.

Deep ruby in color, this wine is bursting with the flavors of black cherry, currants and mocha. It has a mouth-coating spicy richness, and a beautiful balance of acidity and well-integrated tannins. Billy K Merlot is from an estate blockdedicated to Richard Alfaro’s late father-in-law and friend William “Billy K”Kempker. The label is taken from a treasured family photo featuring a young Bill, sport fishing off the Gulf of Mexico in the 1950’s.

The Vineyard

Ryan Spencer Vineyard, named after the Alfaro's son, was planted in 2001. It is comprised of 7 acres broken into 6 different blocks on a very steep hill between 450 and 800 feet in elevation. Billy K block is planted to one acre of Merlot divided between clones 343, 347 and 181. Grandma & Grandpa's blocks are located on the lower part of the hill and is planted to 4 different Dijon clones of Chardonnay and Pommard clones 4 & 5 Pinot Noir. La Escalera is a terraced hillside block planted to Hermitage clones of Syrah. On the top of the hill is Mrs. K's block. It is planted to Syrah clones 470, 877 and 174 with a vine density of over 2300 vines per acre.

The Winemaking

The grapes were harvested on October 9, 2014. The wine was made from 100% whole berries. The grapes were placed into small open-topped fermenters; the must was chilled to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and cold soaked for five days. Fermentation occurred via indigenous yeasts. Punch downs were performed 3 times a day during fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was pressed off directly into French oak barrels where it underwent spontaneous malo-lactic fermentation and was aged for 18 months on the lees.
Production
198 cases
Release Date
August 2017
Alcohol
14 % by vol.
Aging
18 months in French oak barrels (50% new)

420 Hames Road, Corralitos, CA 95076 831.728.5172 www.alfarowine.com