O. Jay Merrill

Although it may very well be the smallest tasting room in Jacksonville, Merrill Cellars’ wines are big on taste. Tucked behind the Umpqua Tasting Room on California Street and next to the McCulley House, Merrill Cellars is a not-to-be missed stop for anyone interested in regional wines. The setting is picturesque, thanks in part to the incredible McCulley House gardens and patio area it borders.

Owner and vintner O. Jay Merrill says, “Our wines are fine examples of classic European styles from Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone, and Oregon. Our wines speak for themselves, speak of the earth and show our care.”

Merrill Cellars features two brands of wine. The signature “The Plays of Shakespeare,” wines feature labels created to honor the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the “Artists’ Series,” features plein-air labels painted by artist Ken Roth. Merrill also features a “Cotes du Rogue” series of wines, made from several fine Rogue Valley grape varietals including Syrah, Viognier, Grenache and others. After living in Bend for most of his life, O. Jay just moved to Jacksonville after a successful business career in real estate development and the ski industry.  The Merrill tasting room is open 3-7 Wednesday – Sunday. Call 541-899-7337 or visit www.merrillcellars.com for more.