Murrieta's Well Livermore Valley

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History

Originally built in the 1880s by Livermore Valley pioneer Louis Mel, the old stone winery building is a gorgeous example of early California architecture. Local timber and rustic concrete made from gravel gathered from the nearby Arroyo Mocho Creek were used in the construction. One of the first examples of California gravity flow design, the winery has aged gracefully, its exterior concrete exposing patches of the beautiful creek stones in myriad colors. Combined with Spanish design influences, the colorful past of Joaquin Murrieta, and ultra-premium wines, Murrieta's Well is a captivating and unforgettable destination. The grounds are rich with beautiful design themes, enhanced by rustic wooden beams, artisan tile work, and open, welcoming spaces.

Winemaker

Murrieta's Well's winemaking philosophy merges Old and New World styles into distinctive blends that appeal to sophisticated palates, with sustainable winegrowing and terroir-driven winemaking at the of our core winemaking values. Philip Wente leads the winemaking team at Murietta's Well, while consulting winemaker, Sergio Traverso travels from his home in Chile to give his special imprint to the wines. Philip and Sergio believe the best wines are those made with many ingredients. Louis Mel, the winery's original owner, and his wife wrote a letter of introduction to the Marquis at the famous Chateau d'Yquem in Bordeaux for fellow Livermore Valley pioneer Charles Wetmore. With this introduction, Wetmore was able to obtain cuttings of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from Chateaux d'Yquem. Wetmore also acquired cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, likely from Margaux, Bordeaux. He shared all of these cuttings with Louis Mel, who planted them on his estate. In the 1990s, Philip Wente and Sergio Traverso replanted the vineyards with additional Bordeaux, Spanish and Portuguese varietals.

Vineyards

Today Murrieta's Well grows eleven varietals, nine red and two white, on 92-acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. The red varietals originated in France, Spain, Croatia and Portugal, and include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Mouvedre, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Souzao, Touriga Francesca, and Touriga Nacional. White varietals are Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The winery produces 5,000 to 8,000 cases of estate wine annually, depending on vintage conditions, with quality as the ultimate determining factor.