Estate Vineyard
The vineyard is home to 12 varieties and a total of 11,852 vines.
Year Planted | Varietal | Acres | Vines | Historical Average (tons) | Average #/vine | 2020 Harvest (tons) | 2021 Harvest (tons) | 2022 Harvest (tons) | 2023 Harvest (tons) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12.95 | 11,852 |
3.42 |
4.80 | 33.27 | 52.79 | 50.34 | 55.52 | ||
2012 | Tempranillo | 0.9 | 739 | 4.12 | 7.14 | 3.52 | 5.04 | 4.56 | 4.91 |
Sangiovese | 1 | 838 | 3.69 | 5.13 | 2.62 | 4.92 | 3.64 | 6.06 | |
Viognier | 1.1 | 1076 | 3.26 | 3.73 | 3.02 | 3.36 | 2.76 | 4.71 | |
2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | 1.1 | 1077 | 1.75 | 1.95 | 1.00 | 2.68 | 2.29 | 1.97 |
Malvasia Bianca | 1.75 | 1495 |
4.36 |
3.69 | 3.78 | 5.92 | 6.57 | 4.03 | |
2014 | Barbera | 1 | 893 | 3.03 | 5.33 | 2.55 | 4.33 | 3.40 | 5.24 |
Refosco | 1.1 | 1054 | 4.13 | 5.62 | 3.39 | 5.71 | 4.60 | 5.50 | |
Aglianico | 1 | 956 | 2.30 | 3.58 | 1.96 | 3.74 | 2.90 | 2.54 | |
2015 | Grenache | 1 | 963 | 3.94 | 5.78 | 2.92 | 4.10 | 4.00 | 5.98 |
Carignan | 1 | 910 | 4.19 | 5.81 | 3.51 | 4.44 | 5.59 | 6.50 | |
2016 | Tannat | 1 | 904 | 2.83 | 4.51 | 2.54 | 3.99 | 5.24 | 3.61 |
2017 | Piquepoul Blanc | 1 | 947 | 3.38 | 5.38 | 2.48 | 4.57 | 4.79 | 4.46 |
Vineyard History & Timeline
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2019/03/SW-Wine-Center-32.jpg)
Acre #1 (May 2009)
In the spirit of the educational aspect of the vineyard, Merkin Vineyards planted the entire acre in Negroamaro, a variety native to southern Italy that’s name means ‘black bitter.’ This is the first planting of Negro Amaro in Arizona.
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2018/10/finalacre.jpg)
Acres #2-4 (May 2012)
Individuals, business, community, and government leaders from the Verde Valley community took part in the first annual Plant-a-Vine(yard) event to help with the planting of 3 acres of vines which included Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Viognier varietals.
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2018/10/Cabernet-Malvasia.jpg)
Acres #5-6 (May 2013)
One acre of Cabernet Sauvignon and two acres of Malvasia Bianca vines were added to the student-run vineyard when over 150 community volunteers participated in the 2nd annual Plant-A-Vine day. The Malvasia becomes the second white varietal to be planted. It has a mid-season budbreak with good production. It is a very fragrant Mediterranean grape and probably the best Arizona white.
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2016/05/vineyard-planting-az.jpg)
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2019/03/171.jpg)
Acre #12 (May 2016)
Tannat a hardy red found in France and Uraguay, was added to the vineyard in the spring of 2016.
![](https://www.southwestwinecenter.com/files/2019/03/IMG_6237_sm.jpg)
Acre #13 (May 2017)
Final Acre Planted – New grape varietal – Piquepoul.
Piquepoul, Picpoul, or Picapoll is a variety of wine grape grown primarily in the Rhone Valley and Languedoc regions of France as well as Catalonia, Spain. It exists both in dark-skinned (Piquepoul noir) and light-skinned (Piquepoul blanc) versions, as well as a very little grown Piquepoul gris. Piquepoul blanc is the most common of the Piquepouls, with 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) cultivated in France in 2000, and an increasing trend.