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Mercer Wine Estates
PROSSER
Wine is a family affair at Mercer Wine Estates, founded by brothers Rob and
Will Mercer in 2005. Hailing from a family with a rich agricultural history—
they began farming the land in 1886—the Mercer family began turning water
into wine, as they say, in 1968. It was then that irrigation was introduced to
Mercer Ranches, Inc., and formed the foundation for the growth of crops,
including wine grapes. In 1972, Rob and Will's uncle and aunt, Don and Linda
Mercer, became the founding grape growers in Horse Heaven Hills. They
planted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in Block 1, which would later become the
acclaimed Champoux Vineyard.
The first vintage of Mercer Wine Estates was released in 2005 with a small
batch each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 2009, the tasting room
opened. In more recent years, the winery has expanded to include a premier
vineyard site, Chapman Creek. In 2016, Wine Press Northwest named Mercer
Washington Winery of the Year. Also in 2016, Mercer garnered acclaim
in Texas at the Houston International Wine Competition where the winery
received awards for Top Pacific Northwest Wine and Top Red Wine—along
with a custom saddle and chaps.
With two tasting rooms where guest can sample the Mercer Wine Estates'
portfolio of wines—one in Seattle and another in Prosser—the Mercers love
introducing people to their unique offerings. Mercer wines include Sauvignon
Blanc, Riesling, Viognier, Chardonnay, Rosé, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and three red blends:
the proprietary blend, a Bordeaux-style blend, and a Rhone-style blend.
FACING PAGE: Founding brothers, Will and Rob Mercer in
the barrel room in Horse Heaven Hills.
Photograph by Andrea Johnson
ABOVE: Overlooking the Mercer Ranches and Horse Heaven
Hills vineyards.
Photograph by T.J. Mercer
