We celebrate the legacy of Dan Duckhorn: a visionary who trusted his instincts, championed Napa Valley Merlot when few others would, and helped shape the future of American wine. Dan’s impact extends far beyond the bottle and his story is a reminder that the greatest legacies are built through conviction, generosity, and a commitment to those who follow. Today, we raise a glass to Dan, and to the fathers who built something worth passing down.
Named After the Blackbird: The name Merlot is an old regional French dialect diminutive of merle, meaning "blackbird." The name refers either to the grape’s dark blue-black skin color or the native blackbirds that loved eating the ripe berries right off the vine.
A Sibling to Cabernet Sauvignon: DNA parentage testing revealed that Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are half-siblings. Both share Cabernet Franc as a father. Merlot’s mother is Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, an obscure, ancient French variety discovered growing wild in Brittany.
The Most Planted Grape in Bordeaux: While global consumers often associate Bordeaux strictly with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is by far the most planted variety in the region, accounting for over 65% of all vineyard plantings across both the Left and Right Banks.
The #2 Most Planted Red Globally: Across the entire wine world, Merlot is the second-most widely planted red grape variety on Earth, trailing only Cabernet Sauvignon.
