Preston Wine Cellars Merlot 1995

Preston Premium Wines, Washington State's premier family owned and operated winery, located in the fertile irrigated farmlands of Washington State's Southern Columbia Basin, is one of the most promising winegrowing endeavors of the world. Eastern Washington, climatically similar to Northern Europe, is fast gaining recognition as a major production area for wine grapes of exceptional varietal character and balance. Bill and Joann Preston were among the enthusiastic pioneers who early on recognized the potential of Vintis vinifera in this unexploited area. The Preston family established their 50-acre vineyard in 1972-73, planting several varieties of native European grapevines at their Pasco site (heat summation Region II). This was increased to 171 acres in 1979. The facility is now run by their son and daughter Brent Preston and Cathy Preston-Mouncer.

The Preston family, in fulfillment of a long-time goal, broke ground for their winery building in the spring of 1976. The first crush, approximately 190 tons, got underway in late September of that same year. The white wines were allowed limited skin contact and then cold fermented in jacketed stainless steel tanks to maximize fruitiness and varietal character. The red wines were fermented in open stainless steel tanks and allowed to "dry out" on the skins to maximize color and flavor extraction. Controlled fermentation with pure yeast strains is an important element of Preston's winemaking style. Barrel aging in Limousin, Alliers and Nevers (French) oak, adds a desirable degree of fullness and complexity to Preston's dry wines, while the semi-dry wines are aged and finished in stainless steel cooperage. Careful grape culture with a critical eye on crop levels and control of pests and diseases brings truly outstanding fruit in the Columbia Basin. Preston Wines have been rated among the finest in the world.