Buena Vista Merlot
California's first premium winery, pouring Merlot since 1857.
The story behind Buena Vista
Buena Vista Winery was founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian immigrant known as the Count of Buena Vista, and it stands as California's first premium commercial winery. The hand dug caves and original site sit just outside the town of Sonoma, a California Historical Landmark. Jean-Charles Boisset's Boisset Collection has owned it since 2011.
The Merlot comes off North Coast fruit, largely Sonoma County and the Los Carneros stretch of Napa Valley. Premium tiers pick grapes at night, cold soak for color, and ferment in small open top tanks with manual punch downs, then rest up to 15 months in French, Hungarian, and American oak. Some bottlings fold in a little Cabernet Sauvignon for structure.
Explore the Buena Vista range
Buena Vista Merlot runs from an everyday North Coast bottling to structured Sonoma and Carneros fruit, with a red blend alongside. Here is the lineup we carry.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Merlot | Merlot | 13.5% to 14.5% ABV | Juicy blackberry and cherry, soft tannins, easy pour |
| Buena Vista Merlot North Coast | Merlot | 13.5% to 14.5% ABV | Black cherry, clove, tobacco, rounded oak finish |
| Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | 14.5% to 15.0% ABV | Cool climate red fruit, baking spice, polished |
| Buena Vista Sonoma Pinot Noir | Pinot Noir | 14.5% to 15.0% ABV | Sonoma fruit, savory edge, gentle oak |
| Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon | Cabernet Sauvignon | 14.5% to 15.0% ABV | Cassis, cedar, firm tannin, long finish |
| Buena Vista The Sheriff Red Blend | Red Blend | 15.0% ABV | Bold black fruit, pepper, structured and rich |
WineBuena Vista - Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL$35.99Out of stock
MerlotBuena Vista - Merlot 750mL$13.99Out of stock
WineBuena Vista - Carneros Pinot Noir 750mL$20.99Out of stock
Red BlendsBuena Vista - The Sheriff Red Blend 750mL$35.99Out of stock
WineBuena Vista - Sonoma Pinot Noir 750mL$22.99Out of stock
WineBuena Vista - Merlot North Coast 750mL$14.99Which Buena Vista is right for you?
Pricing here is honest. The Buena Vista Merlot 750mL sits at $13.99, and the North Coast bottling at $14.99, which is real value for fruit off Sonoma and Carneros ground. Step up and the Carneros Pinot Noir is $20.99, the Sonoma Pinot Noir $22.99. The Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sheriff Red Blend both land at $35.99. Nothing here asks you to pay for a story. You pay for the bottle. Stock moves, so call the store at (631) 343-7200 before you drive out for a specific one.
Under fifteen dollars, soft enough for a Tuesday, serious enough to pour with dinner.
A dollar more buys Sonoma and Carneros fruit with clove and tobacco depth.
Full bodied, peppery, built for grilled beef and a crowded table.