Roanoke to Release 2009 Marco Tulio, 2007 Merlot

on Saturday will release its 2009 Marco Tulio blend ($24), a wine that has become one of the vineyard's most popular bottlings since its first release nearly three years ago.

Winery Creative Director Scott Sandell said the 2009 blend is made up of nearly equal parts cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc and the juice spent a little longer than nine months in oak barrels prior to its bottling.

The wine is named after Roanoke co-owner Soraya Pisacano's father.

Roanoke will also release its first bottling of Sound Avenue Merlot ($38) on Saturday, coming from the region's banner 2007 vintage.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Riverhead winery.

Roanoke wines are made by Wollfer Estate Winery winemaker Roman Roth.