# Unturned Stone Moonwater Merlot (2023)

- **Producer:** Unturned Stone Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, herbaceous, black pepper

## About this wine

Unturned Stone Wines was established in 2010 by industry veterans Erin Mitchell and Randy Czech in Santa Rosa, California. Tucked into Bennett Valley—a cool-climate region nestled between Sonoma Mountain and the Annadel Hills—the vineyard benefits from a cooling corridor of Pacific ocean air that promotes prolonged ripening while preserving natural freshness. Produced as part of the winery's experimental 'Snake Oil Series', Moonwater Merlot is sourced from organically farmed vines and harvested by hand under a full moon.

## Interesting facts

- The grapes for this wine are harvested at night specifically under the light of a full moon.
- Bottled unfined and unfiltered with only 13 ppm of total added sulfur.
- Part of Unturned Stone's experimental 'Snake Oil Series' dedicated to handcrafted micro-bottlings.

## Food pairing

The lively acidity and gentle, supple tannins in this cool-climate Merlot complement tender roasted meats and earth-driven vegetarian dishes without overpowering their natural flavors.

## Wine making process

The winemaking follows a strict low-intervention approach using certified organically grown grapes. Primary fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous wild yeasts with no additive interventions. The wine is matured in neutral aging vessels to retain pure varietal and terroir character before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimal sulfur addition of just 13 ppm.