In a region where Cabernet Sauvignon often takes center stage, Rutherford Hill Winery is quietly leading a Merlot revival—one that’s not just about bringing a grape back into favor but about reshaping how Napa wine is experienced altogether.
Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, this historic estate is undergoing a striking transformation. Once known as a dependable “by-the-glass” label in restaurant programs, Rutherford Hill has reemerged with purpose and precision. It was just before launching my website that I sat down with their former winemaker and general manager, Michael Coode. “When I came to Rutherford Hill, there was a glaring opportunity to take people on the journey of Merlot,” he said. “Nobody really does a Merlot flight in Napa. And being Rutherford Hill, we didn’t either—and that was an opportunity.”
Now, the winery offers a curated Merlot tasting flight that transports guests through the subregions of Oak Knoll, Stag’s Leap, and Carneros—each with a unique voice shaped by soil, vine age, and microclimate. “These vines are all about 23 to 25 years old,” Coode noted. “Oak Knoll is red-fruited and fresh, Stag’s Leap gives you that unmistakable mid-palate, and Carneros is brooding and deep.”
Anchoring the experience is the Winemaker’s Blend, a right-bank-inspired bottling that marries 73% Merlot with 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel fermented in 80% new oak, it’s bold, structured, and built to impress. “I wanted to give Pomerol a run for its money,” Coode explained. “This is our Merlot flight. It has intention.”
But Rutherford Hill isn’t stopping with Merlot. White wine innovation is thriving here, with a standout stainless-steel fermented Vermentino and a texturally layered Sauvignon Blanc that incorporates a splash of Sauvignon Gris. “For me, Sauvignon Blanc should lure you in with the nose,” Coode said, “but the finish should keep you coming back. We want complexity, not just thirst-quenching.”
The Sauvignon Blanc program, now based around the estate’s AJT Vineyard, is crafted with a mix of stainless steel and puncheon fermentations. The inclusion of Sauvignon Gris adds nuance, tannin, and length. “I had a great conversation with Philippe Bascaules of Château Margaux,” Coode recalled. “He thought Sauvignon Gris was too aromatic. I thought—let’s see if Napa can do it differently.”
That spirit of curiosity defined Coode’s time at Rutherford Hill. From co-fermentation experiments to clonal Cabernet trials, he focused on precision, transparency, and a stronger connection to terroir. “I wanted to make a Cabernet that speaks to Rutherford—something with freshness, a real mid-palate, and a clean finish. Not dark and jammy.”
This philosophy is front and center in the winery’s tasting experiences. With the newly reopened tasting room, visitors can now explore AVA-specific Merlot and Cabernet flights—each highlighting oak treatment, vineyard sourcing, and vintage personality. “I don’t want anyone confused by what they’re drinking,” Coode said. “I want lovers and haters. I want people to taste what Oak Knoll gives, what Stag’s Leap expresses, and what Carneros can do.”
For a valley long associated with brawn and boldness, Rutherford Hill is offering a fresh narrative: one built on precision, elegance, and story. And it’s working. During a recent tasting, I found myself pausing mid-sip, smiling, genuinely moved by what was in the glass. The winery is no longer simply evolving—it’s inviting its guests to slow down and experience Napa from a new angle.
Recent renovations have amplified the experience. The newly built Skylofts and Valley Vista Terrace overlook Napa Valley in stunning fashion—higher even than the famed patio at Auberge du Soleil. Add to that a renewed focus on wine quality, and the transformation feels complete.
Take the Vermentino, for example. Fermented in 79-gallon stainless steel drums, it’s lifted, aromatic, and energetic. “We don’t have the salinity they do in Italy, but it’s such a cool variety,” said Coode. It’s hands-down the best Napa Vermentino I’ve tasted.
On the red side, Rutherford Hill is diving deep into clonal Cabernet Sauvignon, exploring the impact of site and soil with surgical precision. Their Heaven’s Peak and AJT Vineyard Cabernets are case studies in contrast—floral and lifted from the hillsides, dense and dust-driven from the valley floor. “I want wines that make you reach for the next glass,” Coode said. “Not angular—complete.”
As the winery turns the page, a new chapter begins with winemaker Stephanie Jacobs, formerly of Cakebread Cellars and Brasswood Estate. I met Stephanie during a recent visit and congratulated her on the role. Her first vintage begins this year, and I’m eager to see where she’ll take the program in 2025.
In every glass, Rutherford Hill is offering something real—handcrafted, thoughtful, and refreshingly different. This isn’t Napa as usual. This is Napa, renewed.
A special thanks to Megghen Driscoll, Bill Terlato, Michael Coode and Stephanie Jacobs.
Wines tasted in this article
2023 Sauvignon Blanc AJT Collection
Made with 13% Sauvignon Gris, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc AJT Collection is fresh and citrus-driven, showcasing bright lemon notes along with hints of key lime pie and a touch of toasty oak. This wine offers a decent balance on both the nose and palate. The mouthfeel is fresh while presenting a variety of layers and textures that glide to a surprisingly smooth finish. As you savor it, notes of citrus blossom and lemon meringue emerge over the aftertaste that delivers well for the price.
Score: 89 | Drink: 2025–2027
2023 Vermentino AJT Collection
The 2023 Vermentino has a beautiful and complex nose, featuring fresh floral aromas alongside a delightful hint of peaches. It has a medium body with a clean, spicy mid-palate that showcases notes of honeysuckle, leading to a lingering and enjoyable spicy finish. This wine is food-friendly, approachable, and easy to savor due to its pleasant texture. Given its exceptional quality for the price, it is arguably one of the best bottles of Vermentino produced in Napa Valley. This is a smart purchase, and it’s worth buying multiple bottles!
Score: 90 | Drink: 2025–2028
2022 Chardonnay Napa Valley
Immediately, fragrant notes of oak and vanilla embrace the nose, accompanied by subtle hints of pineapple, white peach, and mandarin. The mouthfeel is creamy and lush, highlighting ample vanilla and oak that lingers persistently. Over time, it develops a slightly phenolic quality, making it very food-friendly. Medium to full-bodied, the aftertaste reveals notes of creamed corn over the long, spicy, and oaky finish.
Score: 89+ | Drink: 2025–2031
2022 Merlot Napa Valley
The 2022 Merlot Napa Valley is soft and succulent, featuring ripe plummy notes and hints of black cherry. This sturdy, value-driven wine has slightly gripping tannins that gradually tighten before expanding into a smooth finish. These food-friendly tannins pair well with salami, cured meats, and any other types of noshy and meaty appetizers. The aftertaste develops slowly, revealing subtle hints of maple syrup that enhance its overall complexity, especially given its attractive price point.
Score: 88 | Drink: 2025–2028
2022 Merlot Stags Leap District
The 2022 Merlot Stags Leap District is primarily made from Merlot, with remaining portions of 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon rounding out the wine. It opens with a seductive yet subtle aroma that has an underlying mineral quality. On the palate, it is fleshy and firm, offering a spicy and juicy experience along with a firm, tannic structure. You’ll find layers of olive, black plum, and dusty black cherries complemented by elegant oak notes, culminating in a spicy, lingering finish. This wine is pure and reflects its terroir. Be sure to keep an eye out for any of Rutherford Hill’s sub-appellation-specific “black-label” Merlots. Nicely done!
Score: 92 | Drink: 2026–2034
2022 Merlot Oak Knoll District
The nose is instantly captivating and fresh, featuring notes of juicy plum with spicy undertones. The 2022 Merlot from the Oak Knoll District showcases refinement, freshness, and a beautiful balance. It is medium to full-bodied, with tight tannins and a long, complex finish, which give way to elegant hints of pencil shavings and purple flowers that emerge with grace and precision. This is a well-crafted Merlot that you’ll find yourself wanting more of and best of all, it feels like it should cost nearly double, so don’t hesitate to buy it. In a valley dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, this beautiful Merlot will make a believer out of anyone.
Score: 93+ | Drink: 2025–2036
2022 Merlot Carneros
Opening to a beautifully floral nose, the 2022 Merlot from Carneros features scents of juicy plum that overflow from the glass. The aroma is abundant with purple flowers, while the palate remains tight, showcasing its longevity and freshness. Surprisingly complex, this brilliant example of Merlot proves that Merlot can absolutely age gracefully. The finish is long and intricate, with a food-friendly hint of spice and soft leafiness that harmonizes beautifully over time. I am going back for more. Nicely done!
Score: 93 | Drink: 2026–2035
2022 Winemaker’s Blend
Made from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Winemaker’s Blend is refined and elegant with fresh plums, black cherry, and hints of oak. This full-bodied blend offers pitch-perfect juiciness and mineral tension. Smooth with spicy and succulent tannins, it’s very food-friendly and will remain so for years to come. Originally a completely different blend, it now resembles a Right Bank Bordeaux blend made with a Cabernet clone from Bordeaux. Amazingly complex and fresh. Buy the case—the price is sure to go up!
Score: 93+ | Drink: 2026–2036
2022 Heaven’s Peak Red Blend
The 2022 Heaven’s Peak Red Blend is an attractive blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot. It presents bold, juicy, and spicy aromas, enhanced by lush purple floral notes and plummy essences. The nose introduces a brilliant balance of dusty minerality alongside baked earth elements. On the palate, vibrant red and black fruit flavors, including dusty plum skin and crushed black cherries, race across the mid-palate. The mouthfeel is elegant and balanced, showcasing layers of juicy fruit, refined florals, and fleshy plums. This wine is very food-friendly and concludes with a long, spicy finish. It’s a well-made red blend that is very food-friendly. Nicely done! Yum, I’m not spitting this one out!
Score: 94+ | Drink: 2027–2037
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon AJT Collection
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon AJT Collection is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Merlot. This wine is rich, round, and juicy, offering a long, complex mouthfeel that avoids being overdone. It offers plenty of pleasure with just-ripe and accessible fruit with a delicate touch, showcasing mineral tension and beautiful balance. Fresh and complete, it delivers a sincere, lingering finish. For anyone who believes that all Napa Cabernets are merely juicy, boozy, and oaky, this wine will change their mind. The true strength of this Cabernet exists in its elegance and purity. Bravo!
Score: 93 | Drink: 2025–2034
2022 Heaven’s Peak Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 Heaven’s Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, made with splashes of Petit Verdot and Malbec, is rich, round, juicy, and bold, showcasing ripe fruit and oak aromas in the glass. It has an impressive presence, featuring polished and shiny oak notes that complement its generous style, making it a delight for any Napa Cabernet lover. Expect flavors of crème de cassis and Chambord, accompanied by spicy oak undertones. On the palate, it is elegantly oaked, culminating in a toasty finish with nutty and baking spice notes. There is ample oak for those who appreciate it. Overall, this wine is well-crafted and will deliver pleasure to those who enjoy a more generous and voluptuous Napa Cabernet.
Score: 94 | Drink: 2025–2036
