Welcome To

3 Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery PASO ROBLES The Merrill family's agricultural heritage and grape-growing history in California's central coast dates back a solid nine generations. After nearly 30 years of growing grapes for many of the finest wineries in California, ranging from ultra-premium small producers to the largest international brands, the Merrills decided to take the leap and produce their own wines. They purchased the property in 2002 and breathed new life into the existing 40 acres, planting another 56 acres by the next year. In addition to the family estate, the finest blocks of grapes from Santa Barbara and Monterey counties were selected from vineyards managed by a sister firm, Mesa Vineyard Management, Inc. Today, all the wines that Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery produce are exclusively farmed by the Merrills, who believe that control— from planting and pruning through harvest, fermentation, and cellaring—is critical for success. Pomar Junction gets its name from several sources. One is obvious: The roads that intersect on the property are El Pomar Drive and South El Pomar Road. The second is that the area has long been known as El Pomar, which led to the sub AVA in the Paso Robles AVA of the Pomar Junction District. The third has a personal connection to the Merrill family, with general manager Matt Merrill's great-grandfather, George Grigg, having been a railroad engineer who worked the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Templeton, where Pomar Junction is located, has also historically been a train town. FACING PAGE: Merlot Grapes hanging on the vine with the Pomar Junction Caboose and Boxcar in the background. Photograph by Brandon Stier TOP LEFT: The view from the deck of the tasting room towards the West with the vineyard and vintage truck near the train tracks. Photograph by Matthew Browne

• Cover