August 1, 2018 — Prosser-based Mercer Wine Estates and Napa’s Delicato Family Vineyards have launched a collaborative new wine from Washington. The new brand is Mercer Family Vineyards, a partnership between the two respected fourth-generation family wine companies. Beginning today, a range of the new wines will start rolling out with nationwide distribution.
The Mercer family settled in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills as a farming family in 1886, and planted the first vineyard in the area in 1972. Rob and Brenda Mercer founded the estate winery in 2005, and the portfolio has continued to garner high scores and respect from critics and the trade.
The Indelicato family planted their first vineyards in California after Gaspare Indelicato emigrated from Sicily, and under the continued family leadership it has grown into a top-ten wine company with well-known brands, among them Gnarly Head, Bota Box, Noble Vines, and Black Stallion Estate Winery on Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail. The company also imports Santa Rita wines from Chile.
The new Mercer Family Vineyards label will consolidate the Mercer Canyons and Mercer Estates lines into one tier, while maintaining Rob and Brenda’s uncomprising stance on producing high quality wines at exceptional value. With the slight exception of the Malbec this year, all of these wines were crafted at the Mercer Estates winery in Prosser, Wash. from grapes grown in their estate vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Mercer’s winemaker, Jeremy Santo, took special pride in focusing on these eight wines as part of this new label.
The first vintages of Mercer Family Vineyards (2016-17) will include a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blend, and a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon available nationally that start rolling out today. In addition, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Malbec and Reserve Red Blend will be launched in the Pacific Northwest.
The Washington State wine industry is experiencing phenomenal growth of 40% in the “ultra-premium” segment ($15-20) where Mercer Family Vineyards is positioned. The Washington State Industry has also grown to nearly $5 billion and ranks second nationally for premium wine production creating a significant growth opportunity for this new brand.
Rob Mercer, president of Mercer Wine Estates, noted “Mercer’s esteemed vineyards in Washington’s premier wine growing region and Delicato’s robust experience in sales and marketing—combined with the extensive winemaking experience of both families, is the perfect blend for rapid growth in the U.S. market.”
Will Mercer, general manager of Mercer Wine Estates, says, “The wines truly represent the sense of place that Washington—and particularly Horse Heaven Hills—are known for. The climate and terroir creates well-balanced elegant wines with natural acidity, soft velvety tannins, and bright character.”
“Washington is an important wine growing region as we continue to expand beyond California,” commented Chris Indelicato, president and CEO of Delicato Family Vineyards. “These wines are the perfect complement to our portfolio.”
Look for these wines on store shelves at retail outlets. Be sure to visit Mercer Estates’ tasting rooms in Seattle or Prosser where you can sample many of their other wines:
Seattle Tasting Room
Tasting fee is $10, refundable with bottle purchase
6235 Airport Way South, Suite 102, Seattle
Open Wed-Sun, 11am-7pm
Ph: (206) 717-7387
Prosser Tasting Room & Winery
Tasting fee is $10, refundable with bottle purchase
3100 Lee Rd, Prosser
Open Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm
Ph: (509) 786-2097
Wine Reviews: Mercer Family Vineyards
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Plump and juicy, with a core of ripe blackberry and cassis flavors generously supported by blue fruit, vanilla, toast and fresh acidity. Savory notes of earthy minerality, and tobacco leaf join well-integrated tannins on the finish.
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Reserve Heritage Blend Horse Heaven Hills, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
Velvety smooth and strikingly balanced, offering shimmering vibrancy to the fluid flavors of black currant, mixed black and red berries, mocha and baking spices underscored by fresh acidity and finely detailed mineral and spice aftertaste.
42% Syrah, 38% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Edge of Heaven Blend Horse Heaven Hills, $16.99
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding (91-94 pts.)
A stunning red blend of six varietals with a chorus of deeply concentrated cherry, boysenberry and blackberry flavors that coat the mouth, followed by complex layers of crushed rock and pin boughs that roll through the long finish accompanied by firm, yet finely integrated tannins. A crowd pleaser!
39% Merlot, 31% Syrah, 16% Malbec, 5% Grenache, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills, $16.99
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
Smooth, supple and nuanced, loaded with ripe cherry and boysenberry fruit that segue to savory notes of mineral, spice, cocoa and bits of coconut shavings that roll through a layer of fine, sweet tannins on the bold finish.
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills, $16.99
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
Solidly structured, with powder-fine tannins plushly layered with rich blackberry, spiced plum, violet and cocoa flavors that combine harmoniously on the long finish. An excellent value for a Cabernet in this price range.
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Malbec, $16.99
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
This Malbec is blended with a splash of Syrah (25%), sourced from grapes grown in the estate vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills and their new Chapman Creek Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. Complex, smooth and balanced, this medium-bodied version has a lot going for it—offering rich, juicy flavors of red cherry, plum and cranberry with tantalizing leather and rose petal accents infused with clove and cardamom. There’s pillowy structure on the midpalate that leads to white pepper finishing notes.
Mercer Family Vineyard 2016 Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills, $12.99
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
Aromas of spun honey and lightly toasted almond slivers introduce this well-balanced, charming version. There’s an enticing undertow of fresh acidity behind the pear and apple flavors, backed by honeysuckle, yellow melon and lime accents on the smooth finish.
Mercer Family Vineyard 2017 Sauvignon blanc Horse Heaven Hills, $12.99
Editor’s Choice – Excellent (88-90 pts.)
Sourced from their estate Culloden Vineyard and Spice Cabinet Vineyards this version is crisp and refreshing, with aromas and flavors classic of this varietal: bursting with grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberries and freshly-mown grass framed by juicy acidity. Well-detailed limestone and mineral notes join the zesty finish.