The 2011 Merlot gives generous notes of black cherry and sweet herbs on the nose. As it moves softly across the palate, it develops ripe plum, maraschino cherry, baking spice that surrounds a core of minerality that carries through to the very end. Clearly this is one of the best values we’ve had all year.

Farella Winery

Frank Farella founded Farella-Park Vineyards in 1985 in a small, 400 square foot winery next to his house in Napa. His long-sought goal to grow fine wine grapes from a modest, depression -era background was a story that unfolded slowly and steadily. The hillside vineyard is in the Coombsville area at the cool, southeastern corner of the Napa Valley.