The cult classic wine adventure film “Sideways” turns 20 this year, and Napa Valley’s Markham Vineyards is tipping its cap to the film that infamously attempted to sabotage Merlot. In the film about two friends on a wine tasting weekend, Paul Giamtti’s wine snob character Miles Raymond proclaims he is “not drinking any f***ing Merlot!” Two decades after the film’s debut, Markham Vineyards is ready to make Merlot cool again though the winery firmly believes the varietal never really went out of style, according to a news release announcing its October Merlot Month tasting experience. Markham is launching a new experience at its St. Helena tasting room called “The Right Side of Merlot: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Sideways.” This limited-time experience offers guests the opportunity to sample Markham’s finest estate Merlots side-by-side to uncover how climate, soil and elevation create magic in every bottle.
According to the press release, the experience culminates with the limited-edition 2022 Yountville “Right Side” Blend, a nod to Miles Raymond’s beloved 1961 Château Cheval Blanc, a right-bank Bordeaux blend. For Merlot lovers who can’t make it to the tasting room this October, Markham’s “Right Side” Blend ($85) will be available for purchase online beginning in October, along with the winery’s usual lineup of acclaimed Merlots from Napa Valley estate vineyards spanning from Calistoga to Oak Knoll. The tasting experience is $75 per guest. Markham Vineyards, located at 2812 St. Helena Highway North in St. Helena, is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
To learn more, visit markhamvineyards.com/visit/winery-experiences.
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