Mercer Wine Estates brings a taste of Horse Heaven Hills AVA to downtown Walla Walla, amid preservation of the art deco-era Martin Jewelers building
Members of the Mercer family have a connection to downtown Walla Walla, where they’ve traveled for years to go wine tasting, shopping and dining. Winery co-owner Brenda Mercer, a former graduate of Walla Walla High School (class of 1985), shared her excitement with Washington Tasting Room Magazine about the grand opening their Walla Walla tasting room on July 27, especially in an historic building location that holds a special meaning to her.
“Finding the historic Martin Jewelers space, and joining other tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla has been a dream for the Mercer family,” says Brenda. “Opening here just feels natural—my first pair of earrings came from Martins. I do feel a sweet connection here.”
A huge effort was made to preserve and recreate key elements of the building’s past. Before the 50 years as Martin Jewelers, the building served as the People’s State Bank. The building still houses two of the original vaults and safes. In pulling up the carpet flooring the architects hired by the Mercers found Terrazzo flooring, a luxury floor treatment in the early 1900s which they restored to their original beauty. And in uncovering the walls and ceilings, tasters will enjoy an impressive vaulted ceiling and art deco plaster walls. The family hopes that the space serves as an amazing tasting room for their wines and also as a valuable statement of Walla Walla’s early downtown history.
Meet the Wine & Hospitality Team in Walla Walla
Reagan Mercer, a fifth generation member of this farming family, will launch and help manage the tasting room. She grew up in Prosser and Richland, graduated college from SMU in Dallas, and has been working for Breakthru Beverage in Chicago for the past few years. She looks forward to the new adventure. “It is thrilling, and it feels special to be able to bring my father’s family wines to my mother’s hometown,” says Reagan.
Mandy Walters was brought on board as the Hospitality Manager for her leadership, hospitality experience and joyful spirit. Together the two women have put together an eager and educated wine team to offer a top notch, interesting and inviting wine tasting experience.
Ashley Stephens and her winemaking team in Prosser plan to spend time in the Walla Walla Tasting Room helping to share the Mercer/Horse Heaven Hills wine story. Sean Kendall, Mercer Wine Estates General Manager worked closely with the building’s owners and the City of Walla Walla to get this project up and running.
“The Prosser Tasting Room team and Mercer Vineyard team have also been a huge asset in training staff and contributing to this new venture,” says Rob Mercer.
Mercer’s wines are available by the glass or in a tasting flight format, along with thoughtfully curated light bites. The space offers indoor and outdoor seating, a grand tasting bar, table seating and lounge seating. The upstairs mezzanine will offer a more casual space to enjoy a glass of Mercer wine and charcuterie. The space is available to rent for parties or private events, while offering unique experiences for the local public to enjoy.
Read reviews below on recent top-scoring releases from Mercer Wine Estates.
Mercer Wine Estates is headquartered in Prosser, where they grow premium wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The Mercer family has operated a tasting room in Prosser, WA since 2009, and this new location will offer the full line of Mercer Small Lot and RESERVE Collection wines, The Eagle & Plow BLOCK 93 – a veteran-inspired charitable Cabernet Sauvignon (100% of proceeds go to organizations supporting our service men, women and their families with over $275,00 donated already) plus the new addition of a natural-wine brand aptly named Sonova Sage.
Pioneering Family of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA
From a historical perspective, in 1886 the Mercer family homesteaded in Prosser and the Horse Heaven Hills, approximately 75 miles west of Walla Walla. Willis Mercer brought his family to southeast Washington and eventually began a sheepherding operation. This continued until 1968 when the Mercer brothers implemented the first irrigation pumps on the Columbia River, allowing the region to grow into the agricultural haven that it is today. In 1972 Don Mercer and his family planted the first wine grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon) in the Horse Heaven Hills, paving the way for its AVA designation in 1983. Some of these original vines were sold to Champoux Vineyards, renowned for multiple 100-point wines. This area has become one of Washington’s premier appellations.
The Horse Heaven Hills have grown agriculturally over the past 50 years and now contribute about 25% of the state’s wine grapes. It also boasts many of Washington’s top 100-point wines. The fertile, basalt-laden and sandy soils of this area are the main contributors to its unique terroir. Steady, strong winds, coupled with dozens of canyons and micro-climates differentiate this AVA from others.
This AVA is well known for its beautifully developed Cabernet Sauvignon grapes – brimming with color, dusty-tannins and a unique richness. Dappled among the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, wine enthusiasts will also find a spectacular array of Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Riesling (to name a few) vineyards producing the backbone of many favorite Washington wines.
“Washington State holds unique and enviable terroir to grow wine grapes and produce elegant food-friendly wines. The Cabernets are world class and represent some of the very best wines being produced,” Rob Mercer exclaims.
The wines reveal a sense of balance and complexity across the board, making this winery a must-try destination whether in Walla Walla or Prosser.
Visit: 18 E Main St, Walla Walla WA; (509) 204-5450, open daily, www.mercerwine.com
Below are 7 wines we recently reviewed:
Mercer Estates Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
95 pts.
Sourced from Mercer’s renowned Cavalie Vineyard, this red shows cavernous depth and range behind the suave dark expressions of black currant preserves, black cherry and blackberry. Powerfully built yet equally graceful in structure, a core of persuasively firm tannins ride along the interminable finish accented by refined cedar, mineral, coffee and bay leaf notes. $45 159 cases produced.
Mercer Estates 2022 Reserve Chardonnay
93 pts.
Brimming with tropical fruit, this reserve version conveys a refreshing medley of rich pineapple, ripe pear and yellow apple neatly layered with mango and light butterscotch. The midpalate is entwined by a sheen of plush minerality carried upward on a swell of fresh acidity, adding a lighter touch to the fruit-driven finish. $35 150 cases produced.
Mercer Estates Reserve Syrah 2019
94 pts.
Barrel aged for 20 months, this red was culled from Spice Cabinet and Milt’s vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills. Defined by firm, high-toned structure this is framed by a plush mouthfeel with a host of sophisticated red fruit riding center stage. Aggregated ripe cherry, red plum, wild strawberry, roasted fig, dried herbs and elegant spice play into the uplifting mix, with finishing details of white pepper and sweet tobacco. Finishes long, with concentration and verve. $45 136 cases produced.
Mercer Estates 2020 Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon
93 pts.
Rich and flavorful with elegant stylings, this estate-grown red delivers seamless expressions of cassis, red currant and blackberry, framed by a gripping swath of uber-fine tannins ingrained with cedar spice and crushed pebbles. Pure, with stellar weight and polish that carry the finish in regal style to an ethereal place. Drinks well above its price range. $35
Mercer Estates 2019 Small Lot Mourvèdre
93 pts.
Only 54 cases were produced of this single-vineyard gem from Mercer’s acclaimed Spice Cabinet Vineyard. Complex and nuanced, this teases with floral and earthy red berry aromas. As it opens, delicate cranberry and strawberry fruit evolve with finesse, joined by violet, white pepper, clove, cedar and vanilla notes. Plush, soft tannins align with balanced acidity that echo ever-deepening expressions on the extensive finish. $35
Mercer Bros. 2020 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
91 pts.
Vibrant and balanced, this red is 100% estate grown by the Mercer family in the sought-after Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The nose offers dusty cocoa, coffee bean and a whiff of fresh vanilla, bursting with ripe currant and dried cherry on the structured palate. Layers of bittersweet chocolate, crushed gravel and hints of sweet tobacco are joined by sleek acidity and burnished tannins on the smooth finish. $24.99
Mercer Bros. 2022 Horse Heaven Hills Chardonnay
90 pts.
This estate-grown wine delivers clean tropical fruit expressions structured around a nicely rounded mouthfeel. Ample depth and poised proportions of white peach, pineapple, melon and butterscotch build strong appeal. An exceptional value. $21.99