People
Great wines start with three things: the right terroir; ripe, flavorful grapes; and a first-class team of people. At Northstar, our winemaking and tasting room teams work together to create a first-class experience from grape to glass.
Winemaker
David 'Merf' Merfeld
As a young man growing up in Greene, Iowa, David Merfeld never guessed he’d one day become a winemaker crafting world-class Merlots in Walla Walla, Washington. Since joining the Northstar winemaking team in 2001 he has done just that, learning the ropes as an enologist and assistant winemaker before becoming the winery’s winemaker in 2005.
“It’s incredibly exciting for me to see the way these wines take shape and grow into what they eventually become – a great experience in the glass.”
“Merf,” as he is known to all, began his journey towards Northstar in 1990 when, impressed by the quality of the Northwest’s microbreweries, he relocated to Washington to pursue a career in craft brewing. When the opportunity arose to apply his knowledge of fermentation science to making wine at Northstar, he jumped at the chance to become involved in the burgeoning Washington wine industry.
“Washington is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, and Washington Merlot is the purest expression of our unique terroir,” says Merf. “When I got the offer to make Merlots at Northstar, no one had to ask me twice.”
Northstar’s commitment to making Merlots that rank among the world’s best begins in the vineyards. Merf quickly proved to have an expert’s eye for sourcing and blending the highest quality fruit from around the Columbia Valley.
“Merf has what all great winemakers must have: a sixth sense about grape selection and exacting standards when blending the best of the best from the vineyards,” said legendary California winemaker Jed Steele, a Northstar consultant who has worked with Merf since 2001.
Once fruit is selected from the state’s top vineyard blocks, Merf and his team guide it through a gentle sorting and whole-berry fermentation. Then the toolbox comes out. State-of-the-art winery equipment, cutting edge tannin research, and old-fashioned instinct all aid Merf in creating the final blends of Northstar’s highly acclaimed Merlots from both the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley designations.
“Winemaking is a constant learning experience and the vineyards, lab, and equipment resources we are fortunate to have at Northstar give us a great advantage in making the kinds of wines we strive for.” says Merf.
The Art of Blending
Merlot fruit from Washington’s top vineyard sites forms the backbone of the Northstar wines, enhanced by the careful blending of other traditional Bordeaux varietals to add texture and complexity to the Merlot fruit.
Tasting Room Manager
Lindsey Dennis
A Walla Walla native, Lindsey traveled the world as a flight attendant before returning to Washington to attend Western Washington University. After earning her degree, she worked as a wine steward and wholesaler, moving back to Walla Walla and joining the Northstar team in 2010.
“There is nothing that compares to being able to share these exceptional wines with new friends in the tasting room – it’s what this job is really all about.”
“I was first introduced to the world of wine while working for the airline,” she says, and began following the rise of winemaking in Walla Walla during trips home to visit family. “I always enjoyed Northstar’s wines, and when the opportunity came to work at the winery, I jumped at it.”
As Tasting Room Manager, Lindsey is continually working to ensure that visitors have fun and exciting experiences at Northstar and develop their appreciation of Washington Merlot. She also plans special events at the winery, including the popular Harvest Barbecue for wine club members and holiday winemaker dinners.
“One of my favorite things about this job is the new people I meet every day at work,” says Lindsey. “There is nothing that compares to being able to share these exceptional wines with new friends in the tasting room – it’s what this job is really all about.”
Although her preferences change with her mood and menu, Lindsey’s current Northstar wine of choice is the 2007 Columbia Valleyl Merlot. She also enjoys expanding her palate by drinking wines from other world regions, particularly those of France’s Southern Rhone and the Priorat in Spain. Lindsey is also an accomplished dancer and has choreographed two shows for the Pasco High School 10th Avenue Singers show choir.