Riesling Plantings in Yakima Valley (Images courtesy of Mercer Estates)

Generations of experience have come together to launch Mercer Estates and produce premium wines from grapes grown in Washington State’s Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley. Two families, the Mercers and the Hogues, both began as winegrowers in the 1970s and developed stellar reputations for their vineyards. Now, they’ve joined hands and put together a team dedicated to making wines that exceed expectations.

In the U.S., only California produces more wine than the State of Washington. The two states enjoy a variety of terroirs capable of producing premium wines prized for their distinctive qualities. Some recent sampling suggested that the inaugural release of Mercer’s new line makes a nice addition to the fine wines produced in those coastal states.

Tastings

The whites we tasted included the Riesling 2007, the Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and the Pinot Gris 2007. We considered the Sauvignon and the Pinot to be good candidates for accompanying seafood entrées, and cheese and charcuterie platters. The tangy and refreshing Riesling was a real delight and we’ll be serving it as a dessert wine at an upcoming gathering.

The reds we tasted were the Merlot 2005 and the Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. We felt that Merlot wines caught an undeserved slight in the film, “Sideways.” In that otherwise terrific film, the protagonist vehemently proclaimed that he would not drink Merlot. If that put you off the hearty grape, give Mercer’s Merlot a try and rediscover why the grape became so popular before the film dealt its blow.

The Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 we tasted was impressive, delivering full, rich flavors with a long length. It’s ready for drinking by discerning red wine lovers and promises to develop further with additional wine cellar aging. This one could be a signature Cabernet from Washington's Columbia Valley. Some day soon we'll savor it with some succulent grilled lamb chops.

Winemaker David Forsyth

Sustainable Winegrowing

At the tasting we had the pleasure of speaking with Winemaker David Forsyth and asked him about Mercer’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing. His response was an impressive listing of the measures the winery has already undertaken and continues implementing to ensure environmental responsibility. We won’t relay every one, but we were pleased to hear about the use of drip irrigation to eliminate the waste of water, composting to produce natural fertilizer, and using small, low-fuel vehicles to minimize the winery's carbon imprint.

Time-tested winegrowers, unique terroir, sustainable farming methods, and a commitment to exceeding the expectations of wine lovers should serve the new winery very well in the years to come. We expect the folks at Mercer Estates will provide plenty of pleasurable sipping for those looking to enjoy the fruit of their labors. We plan to be among them.

To learn more about the new Washington State winery go to: Mercer Estates

To view a previous post on the topic of Washington State wines go to: Washington Is Wine Country