April 13, 2012 – Mercer Estates has hired Jessica Munnell to take over the reins of Winemaker for Mercer Estates and their Wine Out West label. Starting next week, Munnell will step into her new role of overseeing all winemaking operations for the successful Prosser-based winery. 
Rob Mercer, owner of Mercer Estates, said, “Jessica’s knowledge of Washington vineyards and of wines across the world, coupled with her passion for the wine industry and impeccable viticulture and enology credentials, positioned her as the ideal candidate.”
Munnell follows in the footsteps of Mercer Estates founding winemaker, David Forsyth, a veteran Washington State winemaker who joined Mercer Estates in 2005. Rob Mercer said, “We are so grateful and honored to have been able to work with David for the past seven years. He is an incredible person and winemaker.”
Forsyth will be introducing his own label of wines, Forsyth Brio, which he will continue to produce at the Mercer Estates winery in Prosser. He has also announced plans to share his knowledge within the industry as a custom winemaker, consultant and educator.
Munnell has traveled extensively around the world to better understand the nuances of different wine-growing regions. “I’m excited to become part of the family at Mercer Estates and to continue to craft wines that represent the regions where the grapes are grown,” she said.
Munnell began her career as a viticulturist for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2000. Working in the Columbia Valley with over 32 growers afforded her a comprehensive understanding of the region’s sub-climates and soils, as well as their influence in the finished wines.
In 2003, she worked harvest in South Australia for Bleasdale Vineyards, launching her winemaking career. Upon her return, she worked as Enologist at Prosser’s Snoqualmie Vineyards training under legendary winemaker, Joy Andersen. Munnell’s winemaking skills then took her to Chateau Ste. Michelle as Assistant Winemaker. In 2008, Jessica started the ultra premium winery, Wautoma Springs Wines, and following that she produced wines at Artifex Wine Company, a custom crush facility in Walla Walla.
Munnell is excited about her new job, saying, “The combination of meticulously managed vineyard sites, a state-of-the-art facility, and the dedication of two pioneer families in Washington State’s wine industry give me the tools every winemaker dreams of. I’m looking forward to working with small lots of estate grown fruit to deliver the ultra premium wines that Mercer Estates is known for.”
Mercer Estates, a leading Washington State winery founded by two local farming families, the Hogues and Mercers, is renowned for more than 40 years of grape growing and winemaking in Washington State, most notably their wines from the Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley AVAs under the Mercer Estates and Wine Out West labels.
To learn more about Mercer Estates, created by the Mercer and Hogue Families with grape growing and winemaking experience in Washington State that spans more than 40 years, visit their website at www.mercerwine.com
From an article published in a recent issue of Tasting Room Magazine, read how the Mercer and the Hogue families came together to launch this epic winery.