Valley Oak Cooperage
Paso Robles, California
A 93-point California Merlot expertly aged for over two years on artisanal oak barrels
ABOUT THIS WINE:
![Valley Oak Cooperage](https://images.firstleaf.com/images/439/mobile/Valley_Oak_Cooperage_2013_Merlot_Paso_Robles__California-crop.png?1538093315)
Valley Oak Cooperage
Merlot
Varietal: Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, California
MSRP: $25.00
ABV: 14%
Don’t mention the movie ‘Sideways’ to the folks at Valley Oak Cooperage. Founded by winemakers with a singular passion for the grape, the winery has dedicated itself to perfecting the art of making fantastic Merlots. And if you bring up ‘Sideways’, with its famous scene attacking Merlot, practically every employee rolls their eyes and says the same seven words, “Hate the wine, don’t hate the grape.”
If you aren’t already, this wine will make you an evangelist for Merlot. Using 100% Paso Robles fruit this wine was aged for over 2 years in artisanal oak barrels giving it intensely powerful aromatics of spicy oak and ripe plums. Made only in small batches, the winemakers at Valley Oak Cooperage labored, with great patience, over each and every bottle of this wine. We’re lucky to have ...
ABOUT THIS WINE
![Valley Oak Cooperage](https://images.firstleaf.com/images/439/mobile/Valley_Oak_Cooperage_2013_Merlot_Paso_Robles__California-crop.png?1538093315)
Valley Oak Cooperage
Merlot
Varietal: Merlot
Region: Paso Robles, California
MSRP: $25.00
ABV: 14%
Don’t mention the movie ‘Sideways’ to the folks at Valley Oak Cooperage. Founded by winemakers with a singular passion for the grape, the winery has dedicated itself to perfecting the art of making fantastic Merlots. And if you bring up ‘Sideways’, with its famous scene attacking Merlot, practically every employee rolls their eyes and says the same seven words, “Hate the wine, don’t hate the grape.”
If you aren’t already, this wine will make you an evangelist for Merlot. Using 100% Paso Robles fruit this wine was aged for over 2 years in artisanal oak barrels giving it intensely powerful aromatics of spicy oak and ripe plums. Made only in small batches, the winemakers at Valley Oak Cooperage labored, with great patience, over each and every bottle of this wine. We’re lucky to have ...
![Valley Oak Cooperage](https://images.firstleaf.com/images/439/desktop/Valley_Oak_Cooperage_2013_Merlot_Paso_Robles__California-crop.png?1538093315)
WINE REGION:
![Outline of Paso Robles](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/1848/normal/California_Central_Coast.png?1616011014)
Paso Robles
California's fastest-growing wine region is quickly gaining an international reputation for its innovative and boundary-breaking wines. Located halfway between LA and San Francisco, the Paso Robles AVA in San Luis Obispo County has two main zones. The eastern side has a hot and sunny climate with deep, rich soils producing plush, fruity wines with sweet ripe flavors. To the west, the cooling influence of the Pacific brings a zingy backbone to rich Zinfandel and Rhône favorites like Syrah and Viognier. Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo are also favorites of Paso Robles grape growers and wine drinkers.
WINE REGION
![Outline of Paso Robles](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/1848/normal/California_Central_Coast.png?1616011014)
Paso Robles
California's fastest-growing wine region is quickly gaining an international reputation for its innovative and boundary-breaking wines. Located halfway between LA and San Francisco, the Paso Robles AVA in San Luis Obispo County has two main zones. The eastern side has a hot and sunny climate with deep, rich soils producing plush, fruity wines with sweet ripe flavors. To the west, the cooling influence of the Pacific brings a zingy backbone to rich Zinfandel and Rhône favorites like Syrah and Viognier. Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo are also favorites of Paso Robles grape growers and wine drinkers.
FLAVOR PROFILE:
![Valley Oak Cooperage 2013 Merlot](https://images.firstleaf.com/images/438/desktop/Valley_Oak_Cooperage_2013_Merlot_Paso_Robles__California.png?1538093321)
Pairs well with…
Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Chicken, Vegetable/Vegetarian
Pairs well with…
Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Chicken, Vegetable/Vegetarian
FLAVOR PROFILE
![Valley Oak Cooperage 2013 Merlot](https://images.firstleaf.com/images/438/desktop/Valley_Oak_Cooperage_2013_Merlot_Paso_Robles__California.png?1538093321)
Pairs well with…
Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Chicken, Vegetable/Vegetarian
Pairs well with…
Roasted Pork Loin, Grilled Chicken, Vegetable/Vegetarian
TASTING NOTES:
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2588/normal/black-cherry.png?1538088414)
Black Cherry
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2614/normal/oak.png?1538088409)
Oak
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2622/normal/raspberries.png?1538088413)
Raspberry
Valley Oak Cooperage pairs well with lighter meats like chicken and pork, especially when flavored with savory herbs. Stay away from spicy cuisines, as this will overwhelm the wine's nuanced flavors and aromas.
TASTING NOTES
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2588/normal/black-cherry.png?1538088414)
Black Cherry
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2614/normal/oak.png?1538088409)
Oak
![](https://images.firstleaf.com/taxons/2622/normal/raspberries.png?1538088413)
Raspberry
Valley Oak Cooperage pairs well with lighter meats like chicken and pork, especially when flavored with savory herbs. Stay away from spicy cuisines, as this will overwhelm the wine's nuanced flavors and aromas.
AWARDS:
Valley Oak Cooperage
2 TOTAL AWARDS
93 Points, 2017 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2017 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
AWARDS
Valley Oak Cooperage
2 TOTAL AWARDS
93 Points, 2017 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, 2017 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition
![award medal](/static/e14f73c17a7583745a7c8399c9d1a731/1852b/Award-Medal-opt.png)
ABOUT THE BRAND:
![large bunches of red grapes on the vine](/static/1194e56820adfeee543f9cb0c258b6e1/524cb/grapes-1.jpg)
Valley Oak Cooperage
The winemaker and cooper share a connection through craftsmanship. Both professions strive to stay true to the nature of their materials while pursuing a result that reflects the expertise and nuance of their craft. That moment when a wine first enters an oak barrel, these two worlds unite. The cooper’s skilled artistry and varying use of toast, along with age and type of oak, directly impact the wine’s flavor profile and structure. It is up to the winemaker to match each wine to the vessel best suited to achieve the desired result. Through the adept teamwork of these two artisans, the vibrant and complex wines of Valley Oak Cooperage are born. Valley Oak Cooperage was founded by winemakers with a singular passion for the grape, the winery has dedicated itself to perfecting the art of making fantastic Merlots. And if you bring up ‘Sideways’, with its famous scene attacking Merlot, practically every employee rolls their eyes and says the same seven words, “Hate the wine, don’t hate the grape.”
ABOUT THE BRAND
![large bunches of red grapes on the vine](/static/1194e56820adfeee543f9cb0c258b6e1/524cb/grapes-1.jpg)
Valley Oak Cooperage
The winemaker and cooper share a connection through craftsmanship. Both professions strive to stay true to the nature of their materials while pursuing a result that reflects the expertise and nuance of their craft. That moment when a wine first enters an oak barrel, these two worlds unite. The cooper’s skilled artistry and varying use of toast, along with age and type of oak, directly impact the wine’s flavor profile and structure. It is up to the winemaker to match each wine to the vessel best suited to achieve the desired result. Through the adept teamwork of these two artisans, the vibrant and complex wines of Valley Oak Cooperage are born. Valley Oak Cooperage was founded by winemakers with a singular passion for the grape, the winery has dedicated itself to perfecting the art of making fantastic Merlots. And if you bring up ‘Sideways’, with its famous scene attacking Merlot, practically every employee rolls their eyes and says the same seven words, “Hate the wine, don’t hate the grape.”