Our Wines
At Northstar, we embrace the traditions and techniques that winemakers from the renowned winegrowing regions of France have practiced for centuries, guided by the same underlying principles of respect for the land and reverence for the art and science of fermentation. As a New World wine producer, we’re eager to experiment and innovate with the same goal in mind.
2008 Walla Walla Merlot
Embodying the very best of the Walla Walla Valley, this Merlot reflects our home appellation’s unique geography and geology. Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the southeastern corner of the state, Walla Walla (a Native American term for “many waters”) is nourished by the waters streaming down from these mountains, which provide irrigation for the valley’s 1,600 acres of grapevines, numerous fruit orchards and dry land farming.
“Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased in the 2008 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot. The resulting fruit provides concentrated flavors, structure and complexity to the blend. Anna Marie and Spring Valley vineyards contributed Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon came from Anna Marie Vineyard and a splash of Petit Verdot from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope rounded out the blend.”
Tasting Notes
This elegant yet versatile limited production wine embodies the unique characteristics of Walla Walla Valley fruit. Silky in texture with notes of dark fruit and spice on the nose, leading into a palate rich with flavors of vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, and earth before a long, seductive finish.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.7
- Total Acidity: 0.55g/100ml
- pH Level: 3.77
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2007 2006 2005
The Art of Blending
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased in the 2008 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot. The resulting fruit provides concentrated flavors, structure and complexity to the blend. Anna Marie and Spring Valley vineyards contributed Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon came from Anna Marie Vineyard and a splash of Petit Verdot from Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope rounded out the blend.
Read about the Art of Blending
2007 Walla Walla Merlot
Embodying the very best of the Walla Walla Valley, this Merlot reflects our home appellation’s unique geography and geology. Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the southeastern corner of the state, Walla Walla (a Native American term for “many waters”) is nourished by the waters streaming down from these mountains, which provide irrigation for the valley’s 1,600 acres of grapevines, numerous fruit orchards and dry land farming.
“Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased in the 2007 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot.”
Tasting Notes
Soft, lush, and velvety smooth, this Walla Walla Merlot offers bright red fruit, dark chocolate, dried fruit, vanilla, and coconut flavors, before a nice, long finish. This is a balanced, seductive wine–perfect on its own or paired with food.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.7
- Total Acidity: 0.52g/100ml
- pH Level: 3.73
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2006 2005 2003 2002
The Art of Blending
Adding Cabernet Sauvignon to Washington Merlot softens the wine with bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Cabernet Franc also brings softness and an olive herbal tone.
Read about the Art of Blending
2006 Walla Walla Merlot
Embodying the very best of the Walla Walla Valley, this Merlot reflects our home appellation’s unique geography and geology. Located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in the southeastern corner of the state, Walla Walla (a Native American term for “many waters”) is nourished by the waters streaming down from these mountains, which provide irrigation for the valley’s 1,600 acres of grapevines, numerous fruit orchards and dry land farming.
“Some of Walla Walla’s best vineyard sites are showcased in our 2006 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot.”
Tasting Notes
Blackberry and bright cherry flavors are balanced into this satiny smooth, well structured Merlot, concluding with a supple, lingering finish. Enjoy the layers of flavors showcased in this stellar example of Walla Walla Valley fruit.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.4%
- Total Acidity: 0.53g/100mL
- pH Level: 3.79
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2005 2003 2002
The Art of Blending
Adding Cabernet Sauvignon to Washington Merlot softens the wine with bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Cabernet Franc also brings softness and an olive herbal tone.
Read about the Art of Blending
2008 Columbia Valley Merlot
Epitomizing power and finesse, our Columbia Valley Merlot is crafted from the finest grapes grown throughout the Columbia Valley AVA of eastern Washington State.
“Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar’s hallmarks. Fruit is selected from the very best possible sources throughout the Columbia Valley. Winemaker David “Merf” Merfeld works closely with each grower to achieve specific fruit quality and yield parameters. Vines average 15 years old and yield grapes with concentrated varietal flavors of cherry and plum with elegant tannins. Fruit from over 14 separate vineyards and 18 different blocks contributed to the blend.”
Tasting Notes
A bright, balanced wine with notes of black cherry, spice, and coconut leading to a long, smoky finish. Based on this winemaker’s extensive research, this wine pairs well with just about anything but especially grilled steak and lamb.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.6
- Total Acidity: 0.54g/100ml
- pH Level: 3.77
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2007 2006 2005 2004
2007 Columbia Valley Merlot
Epitomizing power and finesse, our Columbia Valley Merlot is crafted from the finest grapes grown throughout the Columbia Valley AVA of eastern Washington State.
“Diversity of vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley are Northstar’s hallmarks.”
Tasting Notes
Well balanced with a nose and flavors of raspberry, plum, and cherry, leading into notes of vanilla, coconut, and spice on the palate. Lots of structure and balanced tannins make this a great wine to pair with food.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.7
- Total Acidity: 0.54g/100ml
- pH Level: 3.70
The Art of Blending
To maximize the Columbia Valley’s lush fruit flavors and avoid astringent tannins, up to 40% of the grapes chosen from each vineyard are retained and fermented as whole berries. Each vineyard lot ferments separately and is matured for 14-18 months before joining the final blend.
Read about the Art of Blending
2010 Stella Blanca Semillon
Tasting Notes
This refreshingly bright, crisp wine offers lovely hints of tropical fruits, apple, lemon zest, and honey on the nose, followed by a nice creamy texture that finishes with refreshing pear and citrus flavors. A balanced wine that is great with seafood, especially crab. Enjoy!
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 13%
- Total Acidity: 0.66g/100ml
- pH Level: 3.16
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets:
2008 Stella Maris Red Wine
With the lots that don’t make our Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Merlots, our winemaker follows the Bordeaux tradition of making a ‘declassified’ wine, and creates Stella Maris.
“Stella Maris is Latin for Star of the Sea. ”
Tasting Notes
“Stella,” as we affectionately refer to this Reserve red blend, is always a fun wine to create and the 2008 vintage is no exception. Layers of smoke, vanilla, spice, raspberry, and cherry fl avors on a soft and silky palate make this a very approachable, versatile wine that can be enjoyed with everything from pizza to prime rib
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.5%
- Total Acidity: 0.52g/100mL
- pH Level: 3.82
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2007 2006 2005
The Art of Blending
A vehicle for innovation, recent ‘Stella’ vintages have included Syrah, a varietal of increasing importance and acclaim in the Walla Walla Valley.
Read about the Art of Blending
2007 Stella Maris Red Wine
With the lots that don’t make our Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Merlots, our winemaker follows the Bordeaux tradition of making a ‘declassified’ wine, and creates Stella Maris.
“Stella Maris is Latin for Star of the Sea. ”
Tasting Notes
The 2007 growing season began with a cool spring and mild, consistent summer, which allowed grapes to develop steadily and uniformly. Warm sunny days and cool, dry nights in the fall helped to extend the ripening period into September and October, leading to fantastic fruit quality across varietals.
Technical Data
- Alcohol Content: 14.9%
- Total Acidity: 0.54g/100mL
- pH Level: 3.76
- Download fact sheet
- Past vintage fact sheets: 2006 2005 2004
The Art of Blending
A vehicle for innovation, recent ‘Stella’ vintages have included Syrah, a varietal of increasing importance and acclaim in the Walla Walla Valley.
Read about the Art of Blending
The Art of Blending
Blending world-class Merlots requires a combination of winemaking expertise and artistry from our winemaker. Merf tailors the barrel regimen for each vineyard lot based on his deep knowledge of that vineyard’s character and history. He evaluates each lot frequently, a practice fine-tuned by his years of experience, before assembling an array of trial blends that aim for a perfect balance of varietal purity, fruit intensity, and ripe, harmonious tannins.
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. Merf considers these varietals his “spice rack,” and each adds a key component to the final blend:
- Cabernet Sauvignon softens Washington Merlot with bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors
- Petit Verdot adds color and structure
- Cabernet Franc brings softness and an olive herbal tone
After Merf creates the final blends for Northstar’s Walla Walla and Columbia Valley Merlots, as well as for the Stella Maris red blend, the wines are bottled and aged for up to 18 months to ensure they are enjoyable upon release and still capable of aging gracefully in bottle for 10-15 years.