Walla Walla, WA — Mercer Wine Estates has announced they will open a new tasting room at 18 E. Main Street in Walla Walla, WA in July 2024. 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 wines, plus the new addition of a natural-wine brand aptly named Sonova Sage.
Mercer wines hail from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) and are grown, harvested, processed and made into wine by the Mercer team. The Walla Walla location (previously Martin’s Jewelers and originally the People’s Bank of Washington) has been carefully renovated to save and showcase some of the building’s original architecture.
For many years, members of the Mercer family have travelled to Walla Walla for recreation, wine tasting, shopping and dining. “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 Mercer, who graduated from Wa-Hi (Walla Walla High School) in 1985. “Opening here just feels natural. My first pair of earrings came from Martins. I do feel a sweet connection here,” she adds.
The Mercer Wine Tasting Room plans to open its doors to the public in early summer of 2024. 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.
Mercer’s Wines will be available by the glass or in a tasting flight format, along with thoughtfully curated light bites. The space will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a grand tasting bar, table seating and lounge seating. The upstairs loft will offer a more casual space to enjoy a glass of Mercer wine and charcuterie. The space will be available to rent for large parties or private events, while offering unique experiences for the local public.
Five Generations Strong
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 sheep herding 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 the AVA’s 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.
Horse Heaven Hills AVA
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 a 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,” says Rob Mercer. Mercer wines have received over 900 awards and medals for their consistent wine offerings. The winery is owned and operated by Rob and Brenda Mercer, and Willis and Piper Mercer, based in Prosser, WA.
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