Family History
Since planting the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills back in 1972, the Mercer family has prided itself on growing a solid base of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal. Over the years, we have learned that our rich soil and desert climate are beautifully suited for producing elegant tannin structures and enticing flavor profiles. The ability to grow exceptional wine grapes eventually led to the first vintage from Mercer Estates Winery located in Prosser WA in 2005. Today, we still produce mouth-watering Cabernet Sauvignons as well as world class red blends and single varietal wines.A Family History of Trailblazing in Washington State
1900-1930
The Mercer family settled in Washington state in 1886. At that time, they became involved in the sheep industry, which they ran through WWII and into the mid-1950s. During the winters, the family would winter most of the sheep in Prosser. During the summer, they would take the sheep by train to Montana to graze.
1958
As the sheep industry declined, the Mercer family moved to cattle. Livestock started out as an FFA project which quickly blossomed. Although risky, livestock was a good way of life for the Mercer family. Several of the Mercer family members still graze livestock in the Horse Heaven Hills today.
1968
In an effort to grow feed for cattle and make use of some of the land in the Horse Heaven Hills, brothers Don and Bud Mercer launched an irrigation project. After many years of hard work and lessons learned, the irrigation project catapulted the Mercer Family into the vegetable and vineyard growing business. Row crops have been the mainstay of the Mercer ranch for many years, beginning with sugar beets, mint, and potatoes in the late ’60s.
1972
In 1972, Don and Linda Mercer, under the advice of Dr. Walter Clore, planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills. Today, there are more than 14,000 acres of grapes growing in this beautiful appellation and over 30 different varietals.
Vineyards
Estate grown in the Horse Heaven Hills, our vineyards lie on some of the most rugged farmland in Washington with pockets of varied sandy soil types and canyons with differing climactic characteristics. Our vineyards also benefit from the “river effect” providing constant wind pressure which amplifies vine and berry activity.
Winery
Our state-of-the-art winery allows our winemaking team the luxury of temperature control and immaculate conditions for fermentation. The Prosser facility provides space and efficiencies for true craftsman-style winemaking. Our barrel rooms allow for long and varied barrel aging programs. It is with full artistic control that our winemaker blends and creates the new world wines that we at Mercer are so proud to share.
Carma Wine Club
The Carma Club delivers in more ways than one. It’s the inside track to the very best of Mercer – Exclusive wine offerings, exclusive parties, special discounts, and more!
Our Promise
Through instinctual farming, sustainability practices and artful winemaking, Mercer continues to produce award winning wines year after year.
Enjoy Mercer Wines knowing we take the utmost pride in the process from grape to glass.
Each grape harvested specifically for its best fruit flavor. Each barrel blended for taste, mouthfeel and balance.
And each bottle presented for the sole enjoyment
of you – the drinker.
Eagle & Plow
The Eagle and Plow BLOCK 93 charitable giving initiative was born out of a collective need to give back to our service men, women and their families.
