Wine Out West
WINE OUT WEST
Wine Out West honors the pioneering history of the Mercer Estates families, who settled in the Columbia Valley’s Horse Heaven Hills as early as 1886. “Respect the land,” has always been our creed, and the land has sustained us for four generations. Today, our vineyards yield the highest quality grapes to produce wines that reflect the flavor and soul of our western heritage.
Vine to Bottle
In keeping with our ancestors’ pioneering spirit, we were one of the first families to plant grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation — back in 1972. Thanks to the area’s unique microclimate and quick-draining, diverse soil types, Horse Heaven Hills is now considered to be a top red wine producing region. Yes, we are lucky to have inherited the land, but our understanding of the soil, passion for winemaking, and tradition of hard work combine to express quality and authenticity in our wines.
In the winery, our veteran winemaker David Forsyth brings with him more than 25 years of experience producing Columbia Valley wines, along with dozens of awards from regional and international wine competitions.
Respecting the Land
Our vineyards are planted in the same soil that Willis Alford Mercer homesteaded more than 125 years ago. His creed of respecting the land has been handed down from generation to generation, and the quality of our grapes continue to bear witness to his principles.
Today, Mercer family lands employ sustainable farming and land preservation practices. These include planting native grasslands, preserving trees and habitats for wildlife, using low impact farming methods that conserve and preserve
natural resources, introducing cover crops, releasing natural predators to control vine pests, and installing new technologies to reduce power consumption.
Our commitment to protecting our natural resources has captured the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency and other notable organizations who have recognized our efforts with the following awards:
1. 2010 Environmental Excellence Award presented by the Association of Washington Business
2. 2010 Wildlife Habitat Farmer of the Year presented by the Washington Association of Conservation Districts
3. 2010 Enviromental Stewardship Award presented by the EPA and the National Potato Council
Creating the Wine Labels
Wine Out West labels reflect our story through the original art of Diane Whitehead, a native of eastern Washington. Her paintings express the beauty of the west as generations of Mercers have experienced it herding and farming in the Columbia Valley. Known for her boldly colored oil paintings of animals and landscapes, Diane’s work has appeared in museums and galleries throughout the United States. We are pleased to share her work through our Wine Out West labels.
