Barefoot Merlot
Barefoot Merlot is a 13.5% ABV, 750mL California Merlot from Barefoot Cellars, the E. & J. Gallo brand that began in a garage in 1965 and was relaunched under its footprint label in 1986. The official flavour line is a rich, lush red showing boysenberry and split cherry with silky chocolate on the finish; the producer's data sheet adds plum and mild tannins, and describes grapes picked a little later in the season, warm-fermented and stored in stainless steel to preserve the fruit. It is a non-vintage wine, built for consistency bottle to bottle. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 13.5% (North American bottling listings)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: California Merlot — rich, lush, non-vintage
- Composition: Merlot (producer data sheet; no percentage published)
- Origin: California, USA
- Winemaker: Jen Wall (producer data sheet)
- Producer: Barefoot Cellars — founded 1965; relaunched 1986; owned by E. & J. Gallo since 2005
Merlot the Barefoot Way
Barefoot's idea has not changed since Davis Bynum's 1965 garage vintage, through the 1986 relaunch by Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan, to Gallo's ownership today: ripe California fruit, nothing hidden, a wine priced and made for the table rather than the cellar. The Merlot is that house style in red — boysenberry and cherry richness with a chocolate finish, tannins kept mild. This is also the bottle the brand itself steers toward beef, poultry, tomato-sauce pasta, cheese and even dessert. See the rest of the range on the Barefoot Cellars vendor page or browse the red wine shelf.
Tasting Notes
From the official flavour line and producer data sheet: Nose: Boysenberry and split cherry. Palate: Cherry, boysenberry and plum, well rounded with mild tannins. Finish: Silky chocolate.
How to Enjoy
Pour it at cool room temperature with the producer's own suggestions — beef, poultry, pasta with tomato sauce, cheese or dessert. No decanter, no waiting; it is blended to drink on release.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is Barefoot Merlot? 13.5% ABV for the North American bottling (some overseas listings for this non-vintage wine differ slightly).
Is it a dry red? It is a rich, lush, fruit-forward Merlot with mild tannins — generous rather than austere, in the Barefoot house style.
Should I cellar it? It is non-vintage and made to drink young and fresh, on release.
Boysenberry, cherry and a chocolate finish — pick up Barefoot Merlot at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.