Marilyn Merlot produced their first vintage in 1985. However, the story begins a few years prior. owners Bob & Donna Holder moved to the Napa Valley from Berkeley in 1978. Neither were involved in wine at the time (Bob was a CPA and Donna worked at the historic St. Helena High School). It wasn’t long before the Napa allure eventually cast its wine spell over them. Along with a few friends, they began making home wine in 1980 (starting with one barrel).
Oddly, they started calling this home wine Cannibal Sauvignon – never produced it commercially and named the brand Maneater – one of their friends even designed the catchy label. Too bad they didn’t stumble across the name of one of the historic Rancho’s in Napa – Carne Humana. This all would have tied in perfectly with their original home wine.
Several years later they bottled their own home made Merlot and as good ideas often happen, was over a glass of wine. They came upon this name after drinking some of their own Merlot at dinner one evening (it was Donna who suggested this name). By that time, Holders also had some firsthand knowledge of the wine business. And in the early 1980’s they also became partners for the first time in a commercial wine venture – Manzanita Cellars.
Their first vintage was from 1985 – made from purchased bulk wine – this was 2,500 cases. With such a catchy name and using images of Marilyn Merlot (after getting the licensing rights from the estate of Marilyn Merlot) – the wines started to gain a variety of notoriety and publicity. One of their vintages was even highlighted in Life Magazine.
The wine has been a phenomenal success and is now a true collector’s wine. Some of their earliest vintages are often fetching up to several thousand dollars per bottle – although current release wines are priced quite reasonably. Each vintage has a different image of Marilyn Monroe on the label. Marilyn Merlot was their first wine although today they make several different wines.
The ultimate collector within a collector’s wine is the Velvet Collection series. The first vintage dates from 2005; they stopped making this wine in 2012. A set of 10 very sexy sultry nude photos of Marilyn were taken in 1949 and each vintage has one of these photos on the label. We have seen some interesting labels during our Napa winery odyssey but this one takes the cake. Each label is a nude photo of Marilyn (covered appropriately for the label), and has what they call a “peel and peak” protective plastic layer which when removed reveals the entire un-covered photo! Each of these wines is only available in 1.5 liters and comes in its own special box and package. This is collector wine at its best.
And this is not the only collectible series of Marilyn Merlot made – like baseball cards, different wines with different Marilyn themes have been produced over the years.
The release date of all wines is always June 1st – Marilyn’s birthday and each vintage usually sells out rather quickly. Their Norma Jean wines are very affordably priced and are marketed as “A Young Merlot” and features photos of a young Norma Jean before she took the name Marilyn Monroe. This is the only wine to feature non Napa fruit (the vineyard source is near the historic town of French Camp in California’s central valley).
Winemaker
Robert Pepi produces the Marilyn wines. Bob was winemaker and General Manager and along with his father ran Robert Pepi Winery for some 14 years, along the way earning accolades and excellent scores for their wine. They sold to Jackson Family Estates (Kendall Jackson) in 1994; their former home is now Cardinale Winery (a prominent winery located on top of a small knoll just south of Oakville).
Bob is a well-known consulting winemaker who has been involved in a consultation role with several wineries locally including Mario Andretti and Whitehall Lane. Internationally he has worked with Bodega Valentin Bianchi in Mendoza, Argentina for many years as and has also consulted for wineries in Chile, Texas and Colorado. As a result every year Bob experiences two harvests. Not a bad gig at all. In fact we caught up with him one afternoon just before he was flying down to Argentina.
Select wines/vintages
Initially the Marilyn wines were produced from wine purchased on the bulk market but starting in 1997 production was from grapes purchased directly from specific vineyards. Today the focus of their Napa Valley production is from premium vineyards near the towns of Rutherford & Yountville including from the Beckstoffer Vineyards. However note that the majority of their wines, while made in the Napa Valley are from vineyard sites not located in the Napa Valley.
Napa Valley Wines
The 2002 Marilyn Cabernet Sauvignon which was among some of the older “current” releases that we have tried. Extra age is not a bad thing when it comes to wine! There are pleasant toasty characteristics on the nose which continues to the palate with nice fruit, hints of chocolate and a smoky intense long finish. As with most of their other current releases, this wine is priced quite affordably.
Note: tasting notes for the current release Marilyn Merlot coming at some point.
Non Napa Valley Wines
The 2015 Marilyn Sauvignon Blonde was sourced from Lake County (without knowing the exact vineyard source we would venture a guess this is from a Beckstoffer owned vineyard based on their already established relationship with Andy Beckstoffer in sourcing fruit from his Rutherford vineyards for other wines). This wine is medium yellow in the glass with aromas of petrol, pear, and a lemon lime nuance. Rounded in texture, with a little sweetness (perhaps from the ripeness of fruit rather then residual sugar – shows flavors of apple, melon and grapefruit. Decent acidity.
The 2016 Marilyn California Chardonnay – darker golden in the glass offers zesty aromatics, freshly cut grass, notes of pineapple, lemon meringue along with a sweeter baking spice component. Rounded and texturally soft on the palate but not oaky – shows flavors of popcorn butter, ripe tangerine and yellow pineapple. A clean finish with a richness of lingering flavor.
The Marilyn Monroe Red Wine from Mendocino County (non vintage, 13.5% alcohol) is medium to dark purple in the glass with fruit forward aromatics, a pretty union of blackberry, plum and boysenberry. A little jammy in its ripe fruit aromas. Soft and supple across the palate with a darker fruit component to the flavors. Juicy with a firm and tighter grip of textured drying tannins. Lingers with both tannins, a noticeable mouth watering juiciness and a darker spice note including notes of peppercorn.
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All the wines for the Marilyn Merlot label are made at the iconic Napa Wine Co along Highway 29. For many years visitors to the valley could taste current releases at what was Napa Wine Co’s Cult Tasting room. But in early 2019 this tasting room closed to all the brands represented and now only features brands produced by the owners of Napa Wine Co.
Unlike most Napa wineries – there are older vintages for sale on their website. For more information and or to join their mailing list, visit: www.marilynwines.com
I have one bottle of the 1986 Merlot. Does this have collector interest/value?
I have 4 large framed pictures to match the bottles. I have the Norma Jean in the red and white bikini, the Marilyn Merlot in the white tank top, big white floppy hat, and white dress in field. Are these pictures of rare and what are they worth?
I have a unopened bottle I believe the year is 99 where she has the red and white umbrella… could someone let me know what the value is or potentially could be for this item. It’s very dear to me and hard to part with I bought it when it first initially made its debut. I’m just trying to find out more information about this.
I have unopened the following Marilyn Merlots if anyone has interest:
1986
1990
1992
Check out their website for some of the pricing of their collector vintages and older wines – they often have many older vintages for sale through the website.
I have a complete vertical of Marilyn Merlot, Norma Jean and the full Cabernet series 1&2 as well as a 1983 Maneater. Any interest in purchasing?
Carl Ennis: I’m interested. Please email me at chinecc89@gmail.com
Thank you
I have a rather large Marilyn Merlot collection I want to sell. I can be reached at dbowling5@gmail.com
Thanks!
David
Do u have a 1981 Marilyn Monroe bottle of wine if so please email me at manducci85@hotmail.com
I have several bottles of several vintages of this Marilyn Merlot wine. I would like to sell all of it or part of it. Please message me if you’re interested.
I have 4 unopened bottles:
1995
1996
1997
2001
Interested in selling. Please contact me.
I have a Collection of Marilyn Merlot of 26 Bottles ranging in years from 1989 to 2011 and one 2003 Velvet Collection. Also a 10 bottle collection of Norma Jeane from 1998 to 2011. (Reasonably priced)
All must go together and must pick up in Dallas, TX.
If you are interested contact me via bks.tx2018@gmail.com
I have 31 bottles available starting at 1994. Various collections in this category of Marilyn merlot. Very interesting story Dave. Thanks for sharing.
If anyone’s interested, text me at 8433278369
I have 20 bottles of Marilyn Merlot Wine, from 1992 to 2004, Do you know or do you buy theses Wines? Trying to help a Friend!!!
I have a Marilyn Merlot Vertical 1986 – 2016. Every year, excellent shape, perfectly stored. Entire collection for sale. If interested contact me at kbenfield@att.net
I have the following Marilyn wines for sale at great prices. Email for costs.all 750ml Marilyn Merlot
1986,1987,1988,1989,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,2004
Norma Jeane
1998,1999,2004
Tom says
I have 2 complete sets of the Marilyn Merlot, 1985-2009, the first 25 bottles for sale. Each set must go together and must be picked up in Michigan. I also have the Velvet Collection, 3 bottle set, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
If you are interested please contact me at
broncotg-mmwine@yahoo.com.
The velvet collection, are those 750 mL?
We have many vintages, the oldest is 1985. Please contact 970.712.4126 if interested.
I, as well, have a variety of unopened bottles. I have Marilyn’s & Norma Jean’s. In addition, I have large framed Marilyn wine labels. If interested please email. jaistauffer@gmail.com
I have the following Marilyn wines that I need to sell:
1990 – Blanc de Blanc Cuvee One – 750,
1992 – Cuvee Two – 750
1995 – Merlot – 750
1996 – Merlot – 750
1998 – Merlot – 750
2000 – 3rd Vintage Norma Jean Merlot – 750
2000 – 16th Vintage Marilyn Merlot – 750
2002 – Marilyn Velvet Collection – Pose #2 #V447 – 1.5L sealed box
2002 – 18th Vintage Merlot – 750
2003 – 2nd Vintage -55% Cab & 45% Merlot – Playboy Centerfold Pic #5458 – 1.5L boxed
2003 – 19th Vintage Merlot – 750
2004 – 20th Vintage Merlot – 750
2004 – 7th Vintage Merlot – 750 Norma Jean
All in excellent condition. If interested please email me Jcorl10191@aol.com
We have four unopened bottles from the Marilyn Monroe collection if anyone is interested in buying them. Must live in Northern California.
2007-Norma Jean, a young merlot-1h vintage Merlot
2004- Marilyn Monroe-20th vintage, Merlot
2005 Marilyn Monroe-Merlot
2009 Marilyn Monroe-25th silver anniversary Merlot
Hello I have the following 750 bottles of Marilyn Merlot
1986 – 1995 – 1996 -1997 – 1998 – 1999 – 2000 – 2001 -2002 – 2003 – 2004 – 2005 – 2006 – 2007 – 2011
Please call if interested …must sell
(707) 303-6129
I have a 1993 Marilyn Merlot. If interested txt 831-331-9266.
I have a collection of 20 marilyn merlot and 5 Norma Jeans, along with a huge bottle of wine autographed by Regis Philbin and 2 bottles of SIDEWAYS Pinot autographed by SIDEWAYS author.
This is not the most visited review of the 1,040+ Napa Valley based wineries or producers I’ve visited and extensively written about on this site, but definitely one of the most commented reviews. You want to know this special slice of the state? Well, I damn well know the wine scene here, the vineyards, the people, the properties, the wines, the stories as well as anyone on the planet.
We have a case of Marilyn Merlots from 2000-2011 – one bottle each vintage and want to sell – the wines have been stored properly… give us an offer…we are in Oregon – Email: lcnichols54@gmail.com
Thank you
I have unopened bottles of Marilyn Merlot, Young Merlot, Sauvignon Blonde. Red Velvet(1.5 L, Red Dress(rare), Blonde Noir with dates of 1987(last year with French grapes) and 1992 thru 2017. Would like to sell it all as one package over 30 bottles, if bought from the winery in excess of $12k. Only Text please. if your are serious 614 260-4459.
I have 1992-2010 (missing 1993) Marilyn Merlot. I have multiples of some & a Norma Jean1998. If anyone is interested you can email me at shoppingwithsammy@gmail.com.
I have 1998 to 2010 Marilyn Monroe Merlot plus her Sauvignon Blond 2009 to 2012. Plus Norma Jean the young Merlot from 2001 to 2012 for sale. Email me with questions open to offers.