Blending, a common practice among passionate winemakers, allows us to consistently craft unique wines of wonderful balance and harmony by combining different grape varieties, various vineyard sources, or different vineyard blocks. Blended wines may be made as field blends, meaning the grapes are mixed together before the winemaking process has begun, or blending may take place after individual wines from specific varieties and/or sites have been made.

At Geyser Peak Winery, the blending process has been elevated to an art. Daryl Groom and Mick Schroeter implemented changes to the winery through the mid-1990s that enhanced their ability to craft blends. Now, the winemakers are able to vinify each vineyard or vineyard block separately. This allows them to:

1. Evaluate the quality of wines produced from each vineyard site
2. Continually analyze the progress of a vineyard-specific wine and affect changes to improve quality
3. Customize production techniques in order to reveal the unique qualities of each site
4. Craft a range of wine styles and characteristics with which to blend

At Geyser Peak Winery, we have a total of four winemakers and each member of the team has his or her own "artistic vision" for crafting the blend. Small lot vinification allows the winemakers to create and keep separate the wines from each vineyard. Thus, they are able to share these wines with their independent grower partners and better evaluate each vineyard site and growing techniques.

To experience our blending skill firsthand, we recommend you try our Reserve Alexandre Meritage. This elegant wine is a blend of five noble grape varieties from select sites throughout the Alexander Valley. This Bordeaux-styled wine is the culmination of the winemaking team's technique and skill at crafting a blend.