When we find ourselves craving a glass of red wine, we all have our own preferences, or at least a starting point by which we begin to make our choice about which bottle to reach for. Maybe we have a favorite region, or a favorite country. Maybe its a specific style or specific variety. But let’s be honest, how often does Merlot come rushing into your mind? Probably not too often.

Although the data remains slightly inconclusive, many of us in the wine industry directly blame the 2004 movie Sideways for effectively removing Merlot from every wine list in the country. To be fair, it was probably the cumulative effect of both poor quality and over production in the 1980s and 1990s combined with the sheer influential power of the film industry in the early 2000s. For those who have seen Sideways they will remember the ultimate irony; in the film Miles reveres the supreme 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, a right bank Bordeaux and masterful blend of Cabernet Franc and yes, Merlot, his vinous nemesis. Thereafter, Merlot has been on a long and arduous journey of rediscovering itself, and we at Filkins Vineyards, would like to do our part and bring Merlot back!

Throughout the centuries, the business of producing wine has seen its share of trends, with different varieties, regions, and styles coming and going as they ride the waves of public preference and social changes. But the enlightening aspect of wine appreciation is that it also involves personal preference as well, not just cultural popularity. The ultimate lightening in a bottle scenario is when accessibility meets personal taste, and suddenly everyone is happy! We think Merlot fits this bill perfectly. As we enter the post ‘massive Cabernet Sauvignon’ period of the 21st century, the cultural palate now appreciates nuance, balance, complexity, and clarity. We want it all, but not too much of any of it. At its best, Merlot is soft and sophisticated, not as delicate as a Pinot Noir, but not as bold as a Cabernet Sauvignon. When aged in oak, Merlot will give you notes of baking spices, cedar, vanilla. You will also find delicious flavors of dark cherry, plum, graphite, and cocoa. Jason Johnson, head winemaker at Filkins Vineyards shares his notes for the Filkins Vineyards 2024 Merlot.

“Ripe red currants, wild blackberries, lavender and soft vanilla explode in the glass. The mid-palate is deep and complex with dark cherries, black tea, tobacco leaves and hints of caramel throughout . Tannins are luxurious and refined and do a great job of seamlessly carrying the depth of this wine.”

Our offering is 100% Merlot, so you can truly taste the purity of the variety. It spent 20 months in 52% new French oak and 48% used French oak.

Merlot also plays very nicely with food. Think semi-firm and medium aged cheeses, cured meats, and roasted nuts. Roasted vegetables, mushrooms, and lentils all pair beautifully. Merlot will compliment beef, poultry, pork, and lamb. Even a more full bodied salmon recipe, like pan seared with mushrooms, will surprise you. Just be sure to avoid overly spicy, charred, acidic or sweat preparations.

If merlot is the underdog of the wine varietals, Michigan is the underdog of American wine regions and we believe both of these challenges are worth our attention. It turns out merlot grows very happily in our vineyard in Coloma, Michigan. Our sandy soils, long sunny days during the growing season, and cooler nights especially near the season’s end, are perfectly suitable for merlot. We never spray for weeds, but instead cover the ground with wild grasses, clovers, and wildflowers. This maintains a very healthy and nutrient diverse soil. We solely depend on rainwater for irrigation which also maintains the natural health of the plant and soil and keeps us from worrying about any unwanted water additives.

“I’m learning that growing and producing a Merlot in Michigan is a delicate balancing act between canopy management and fruit load,” says Jason Johnson. “Our sandy soil drains the excess water helping to retain a bright acidity in each berry. Creating wines that that really showcase not only the depth and finesse that Merlot has but with the backbone of crisp acidity to help stand the test of time in the bottle. Don’t take my word for it, just try it yourself!”

So in celebration of this delicious vino, we felt it was right to roll out the red carpet for our long lost friend Merlot and show it a proper welcome home party. Thus, we have decided to host a Filkins Vineyards Merlot Fest over the weekend of September 25-27, 2026. There will be a food truck at the vineyard each day of the weekend showcasing different local fare which includes pizza, barbecue, classic American food and chocolate. Patrons are able to purchase a flight of 4 wines, each containing the varietal Merlot or a glass of our newly released 2024 Filkins Vineyards Merlot. Merlot Fest is our attempt at convincing you that Merlot is the grape you didn’t know you loved!

When it comes to pizza, Merlot pairs well with a meat lover’s pizza or a barbecue chicken pizza. Melted cheese helps to soften the tannins, the plum and dark berry flavors soften the acidity of the tomato sauce, and the herbs in the sauce can bring out Merlot’s herbal and cocoa notes.

Barbecue might be one of our favorite pairings. Meats like brisket, ribs and pulled pork topped with barbecue sauce is particularly good with Merlot. Merlot has enough fruit and structure to stand up to smoky, savory meat, but it is soft enough not to overpower it. The biggest reasons are the smoke, fat, sweetness, and char in the barbecue sauce.

Classic American cuisine is a go-to for comfort food and it pairs beautifully with a Merlot. Merlot’s smooth, fruit-forward character makes it an easy pairing for savory, grilled and well seasoned foods. Merlot’s plum and dark cherry fruit, moderate acidity, and soft tannins work well with foods that have browned, roasted, smoky, or savory flavors. With richer dishes, the wine has enough structure to hold it’s own without being as aggressive as a highly tannic red.

Did someone say Chocolate? Chocolate and wine will always be a perfect pairing. The key to pairing wine and chocolate is to pair Merlot with chocolate that is not dramatically sweeter than the wine. For a dry Merlot, leaning towards dark chocolate and fillings that include flavors similar to the fruit in Merlot is the way to go. Fruit such as; plum, cherry, berry, vanilla, and caramel.

So come see us and reconnect with your old friend, Merlot! You might just unlock an entire new reason to keep exploring the endless and rewarding world of wine.