New Life in the New World
Hugh Mercer, a Scottish Highlander, arrives in the Americas.
Declaration of Independence is Signed
Revolutionary War
Hugh dies at the Battle of Princeton, serving under George Washington. He is survived by five children.
America is Heading West
Oregon Trail travel hits its peak (55,000 travelers)
Washington State Pioneers
Willis Mercer (Rob & Will’s great grandfather) heads west, settling in what is now the Horse Heaven Hills region of Washington State.
Washington Becomes a State
Shephards… in the Horse Heavens?!?
WWI causes a wool boom! Mercer & Hill Sheep prospers, herding sheep across the plains of Montana and Washington.
Cattle, Sheep & Dryland Wheat…
The family operation grows & Mercer Ranches is incorporated.
Turning Water into Wine (and lots and lots of veggies)
Irrigation is introduced to the Horse Heaven Hills, paving the way for vineyards and other crops.
First Wine Grapes Planted
Don & Linda Mercer become the founding wine grape growers in the Horse Heaven Hills. The Cabernet Sauvignon they planted in Block 1 would later become the highly acclaimed Champoux Vineyard.
Where Do Baby Carrots Come From?
The Horse Heaven Hills, of course (noticing a pattern here?). The Mercer Ranch Carrot & Corn packing plant delivers miniature carrot goodness, amongst other things, all over the US.
The First Vintage
The Mercers start making wine! (Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot, to be exact). The tasting room would open in 2009.
A Lifetime of Achievement
Don and Linda Mercer receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers
Exploring New Territory
Development begins on a new premier vineyard site, Chapman Creek.