Press Release
Mercer Wine Estates To Acquire Four Leading Washington Wine Brands, Expanding Estate Portfolio and Winemaking Capabilities
Acquisition of Matthews, Tenor, Jaine, and Single Barrel Brings Longtime Vineyard Partners Together
PROSSER, Wash. (March 11, 2026) — Mercer Wine Estates, a multi-generation, family-owned winegrower with deep roots in Washington State agriculture, today announced it is acquiring four leading Washington wine brands – Matthews, Tenor, Jaine, and Single Barrel. The acquisition strengthens Mercer’s portfolio of vineyard-driven brands and reinforces its longstanding commitment to investing in the people, vineyards, and places shaping the future of Washington’s Columbia Valley.
For generations, the Mercer family has been deeply invested in Washington’s agricultural future, with a focus on long-term farming, stewardship, and vineyard development across the Columbia Valley. This acquisition reflects that philosophy in action, bringing together brands that share a commitment to vineyard expression, quality, and longevity within a structure designed for sustained growth.
Mercer Wine Estates has supplied fruit to Avallé, owner of the four brands, for many years, creating deep familiarity with their vineyards, winemaking approach, and quality standards. Formalizing that relationship allows for greater alignment across farming, winemaking, and long-term brand stewardship.
“We believe Washington has some of the most compelling vineyards and winemaking talent in the world, and this acquisition shows our commitment to that future,” said Rob Mercer, President of Mercer Ranches. “We know these vineyards, we know these wines, and we believe strongly in the teams behind them. We are grateful to Avallé for their efforts to build these brands, and our goal is to continue showing how great the wines from the Columbia Valley can be.”
Continuity in Winemaking and Leadership
As part of the acquisition, the winemaking team behind Matthews, Tenor, Jaine, and Single Barrel will join Ali Mayfield and the team at Mercer Wine Estates, adding decades of experience and talent in crafting some of Washington State’s most highly regarded wines. This team – led by Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson, and Andy Ferguson – will oversee winemaking across the expanded portfolio.
Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson, and Andy Ferguson bring decades of combined experience crafting some of Washington State’s most highly regarded wines. Their work has earned top critical recognition across both red and white wines and helped elevate the Columbia Valley’s standing on the national stage.
They have worked extensively with Mercer vineyard sites throughout their careers, especially from the historic, singular site in the Horse Heaven Hills where the Mercer’s first planted Cabernet, bringing deep familiarity with the vineyards, farming practices, and fruit that define Mercer Wine Estates.
Jen Bell will join Mercer Wine Estates as Vice President, leading the Wine Division and overseeing the expanded portfolio. Bell brings nearly 25 years of experience in wine operations and portfolio strategy.
“Maintaining continuity was critical,” Mercer added. “The people behind these wines matter. This transition allows us to preserve what works while giving the brands a strong foundation for the future.”
The acquisition also expands Mercer Wine Estates’ footprint to Woodinville, giving consumers in the greater Seattle area new opportunities to experience these wines firsthand.
Distinct Brands, Aligned by Vineyards and Vision
Each of the four brands being acquired brings a clearly defined point of view to Washington winemaking, expanding Mercer Wine Estates’ portfolio across styles, price points, and consumer occasions while remaining grounded in vineyard expression.
- Matthews is known for its refined, Bordeaux-inspired wines sourced from some of the Columbia Valley’s most respected vineyard sites, with an emphasis on balance and structure.
- Tenor focuses on 100% single-varietal wines from the Columbia Valley produced in limited quantities. The 2022 La Reyna Blanca Vineyard Chardonnay received the first-ever 100-point score awarded to a white wine from Washington State.
- Jaine focuses exclusively on dynamic white and rosé wines from sustainably farmed, single-vineyard sites across the Columbia Valley. Wines are crafted by Ali Mayfield.
- Single Barrel is built around distinctive, barrel-selected wines that highlight individuality and exploration within Washington viticulture.
- Mercer is committed to sustainability and focused on showcasing the depth and excellence of wines produced in the Horse Heaven Hills.
Together, these brands form a complementary portfolio that broadens Mercer Wine Estates’ reach while remaining anchored in longstanding vineyard relationships.
The agreement was signed on March 10, 2026.
About Mercer Wine Estates
Mercer Wine Estates is a multi-generation, family-owned winegrower based in Washington State’s Columbia Valley. The family motto is “Farming for the next 1,000 years,” a daily reminder of the family’s commitment to preserving nature and farming sustainably. With a farming legacy that includes planting the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills in 1972 (what is now Champoux Vineyard), the Mercer family has played a longstanding role in shaping Washington viticulture. The Mercer family owns top vineyard sites such as Spice Cabinet, Eagle & Plow, Princeton, Culloden, and Chapman Creek vineyards. Mercer Wine Estates farms estate and partner vineyards across key Washington appellations and produces a portfolio of vineyard-driven wines rooted in long-term stewardship, consistency, and a commitment to the future of Washington wine.
www.mercerwine.com
PR Contact: Jennifer Scott / [email protected]
3/11/2026 – Sip Magazine
3/11/2026 – The Northwest Wine Report
Mercer Wine Estates acquires Matthews, related brands
By Sean P. Sullivan, March 11, 2026
Mercer Wine Estates has acquired Matthews and three related brands under the Avallé portfolio. The wineries were purchased from the Otis family with an agreement signed March 10. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“They’ve got some great strengths, and we’ve got some great strengths. Put them together, and it makes the whole stronger,” says Rob Mercer, president of Mercer Ranches and owner of Mercer Wine Estates.
The winemaking team of Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson, and Andy Ferguson will be retained. Additionally, Avallé chief executive officer Jen Bell will join the Mercer team as vice president. Bell joined Avallé in 2024 after nearly 19 years at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Washington’s largest wine company.
The other brands involved in the acquisition are Tenor, Jaine, and Single Barrel. The Otis family established the umbrella company Avallé in 2024. The Otis family will continue to own Avallé, From the Sky Down, and Blackboard Winery.
Matthews has been undergoing a series of changes in recent years. In 2021, Matthews made a huge splash when the winery hired Stewart, Iverson, and Jesse Schmidt as winemakers. The team came over from Quilceda Creek, one of Washington’s oldest and most highly regarded wineries. (Schmidt later left the winery.)
After recruiting Stewart and team, Matthews subsequently changed a number of winemaking practices. The early returns have shown an elevation in wine quality. The company has also been working aggressively to expand its reach. In 2022, Matthews partnered with Winebow. Proprietor Bryan Otis told Northwest Wine Report in 2025 that the Avallé wineries produced between 25,000-30,000 cases annually.
The Mercers have supplied fruit for the Jaine wines and other wines in the Avallé portfolio in recent years. Additionally, Ali Mayfield, who has served as winemaker at Mercer since 2024, is the winemaker for Jaine.
The Matthews wines have been offered locally at the winery’s Woodinville tasting room and farm. Other wines have been available at the Avallé Winemaking Studio, also in Woodinville.
Matthews was founded by Matthew Loso in 1993. It is one of the oldest wineries in Woodinville. The Otis family became investors in the winery in the early aughts and bought out Loso in 2008. The family became the sole owners of the winery in 2012.
The Tenor brand had its first vintage in 2007. Jaine, which focuses on white wines, was added to the portfolio earlier this decade. Single Barrel Wines is a recent addition.
The Mercer family has a long agricultural history in Washington. Willis Mercer moved to Washington from Illinois in 1886. The family has been farming in the state ever since.
The Mercer family became involved in the wine industry in 1972, when Don Mercer planted the first grapevines in the Horse Heaven Hills at what is now Champoux Vineyard. (Don Mercer passed away in 2024.) Mercer Wine Estates made its first wine in 2005. Mercer has tasting rooms in Prosser and Walla Walla, with the latter opening in 2024. The winery produces approximately 20,000 cases annually.
The Mercers farm 1,400 acres of grape vines, with the majority in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. The family also has 7,000 acres of other crops, as one of a number of multi-generational, diversified farming families in eastern Washington.
Overall, the acquisition of Matthews and its related wineries by the Mercer family is part of an ongoing trend in Washington of growers buying wineries. Last December, the Wyckoff family purchased Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. The Wyckoffs had partnered with Ste. Michelle for decades growing grapes and producing wine. That same month, Evergreen Family Wines purchased Luke.
These purchases provide greater vertical integration. At the same time, the challenges in the broader wine industry have surely played a role as well. Challenges, however, also provide opportunities. Mercer is excited by the potential of Matthews under its umbrella.
“We’re really going to focus on making the best possible wine we could make,” Mercer says. “I think we’ve got the right pieces in place to really do that at a very high level.”
This article has been updated to include information about the From the Sky Down and Blackboard brands.
3/11/2026 – Owen Bargreen
3/11/2026 – Wine Industry Advisor
3/12/2026 – Wine Business
3/13/2026 – Just Drinks + Yahoo! Finance + MSN
Mercer Wine Estates to acquire Washington wine brands – Just Drinks
Mercer Wine Estates to acquire Washington wine brands
Mercer Wine Estates to acquire Washington wine brands
The group is snapping up the Matthews, Tenor, Jaine and Single Barrel brands from local winemaker Avallé.
Washington-based Mercer Wine Estates has struck a deal to add four wine brands to its portfolio.
The Matthews, Tenor, Jaine and Single Barrel wine brands are being acquired from local winemaker Avallé for an undisclosed sum.
Mercer Wine Estates confirmed the agreement was signed on Tuesday (10 March).
The remaining brands in Avallé’s portfolio are From The Sky Down and Blackboard, according to its website. The business was formally set up by the Otis family two years ago to house its wine brands.
Mercer Wine Estates, a subsidiary of agricultural business Mercer Ranches, told Just Drinks the purchase “strengthens” its range of “vineyard-driven brands”.
It added: “Both family businesses had real strengths but by combining together it will make one stronger company and allow the best wines possible to be made.”
In its release, the Washington wine business said it has supplied grapes to Avallé for the four wines “for many years”.
“We believe Washington has some of the most compelling vineyards and winemaking talent in the world, and this acquisition shows our commitment to that future,” Rob Mercer, the president of Mercer Ranches said a statement.
“We know these vineyards, we know these wines, and we believe strongly in the teams behind them. We are grateful to Avallé for their efforts to build these brands, and our goal is to continue showing how great the wines from the Columbia Valley can be.”
With the transaction, Avallé winemakers Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson and Andy Ferguson join Mercer, continuing to produce the Matthews, Tenor and Single Barrel brands in Woodinville, north-east of Seattle. The Jaine brand will continue to be produced in Prosser, southern Washington by Mercer winemaker Ali Mayfield.
Jen Bell, formerly the chief operating officer at Avallé, has also joined Mercer as vice president, “leading the wine division and overseeing the expanded portfolio”, Mercer said in its statement.
“Maintaining continuity was critical,” Rob Mercer added. “The people behind these wines matter. This transition allows us to preserve what works while giving the brands a strong foundation for the future.”
All four brands are available to purchase in the US direct from the winery. The Matthews and Jaine brands are also sold through wine and spirits distributor Winebow in “select US markets”, a spokesperson from Mercer Wine Estates told Just Drinks. Matthews is also sold in Japan.
Mercer Wine Estates produces just under 20,000 cases of wine at its winery in Prosser. It owns around 1,400 acres of vineyards, across sites which include Culloden, Chapman Creek and Spice Cabinet.
The business also has tasting rooms in Walla Walla and Prosser and will also “soon” have one in Woodinville, it said.
3/13/2026 – Pacific Northwest AG Network
Mercer Announces Purchase Of Washington Brands
3/15/2026 – Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
Mercer acquires four wine brands, grows winemaking team | Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
One of the Mid-Columbia’s oldest wineries is growing its portfolio and pool of expert winemakers.
Mercer Wine Estates of Prosser recently announced it has acquired four wine brands from Woodinville-based Avallé. The acquisition also will bring the team of Avallé winemakers behind those brands into Mercer with another company executive also joining Mercer to lead its wine division.
“We believe Washington has some of the most compelling vineyards and winemaking talent in the world, and this acquisition shows our commitment to that future,” said Rob Mercer, president of Mercer Ranches. “We know these vineyards, we know these wines, and we believe strongly in the teams behind them. We are grateful to Avallé for their efforts to build these brands, and our goal is to continue showing how great the wines from the Columbia Valley can be.”
The four Avallé brands going to Mercer are Matthews, Tenor, Jaine and Single Barrel. While Single Barrel is built around wines throughout Washington state viticulture, the other three are all produced via the Columbia Valley. The team currently behind them – Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson and Andy Ferguson – will bring their decades of combined experience to Mercer while Jen Bell, who has served as chief operating officer at Avallé since 2024, will contribute her expertise in portfolio strategy and wine operations.
“Maintaining continuity was critical,” Mercer said. “The people behind these wines matter. This transition allows us to preserve what works while giving the brands a strong foundation for the future.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
3/16/2026 – Shanken News Daily
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3/16/2026 – The Registry Pacific Northwest
