2024 Seven Hills Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Washington

Walla Walla Valley is globally unique for Merlot — and Seven Hills Winery has been proving it since before the region achieved international fame. This 2024 Seven Hills Merlot is a benchmark expression of what the Pacific Northwest does with this variety: opulent, velvety, and complex, with warm days and cool desert nights locking in vibrant fruit alongside natural, well-balanced acidity. Crafted by winemaker Bobby Richards with an old-world philosophy focused on elegant, food-friendly structure and restrained oak integration. Woman-owned, family-owned, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly.

Guest Curated Wine Feature: This wine is a special guest curated selection in The Wine Coach Exclusive Fall 2026 Washington State of Wine Virtual Bundle. Available here at regular retail price. Visit the bundle link for special bundle pricing and virtual event access.

Wine Details & Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes: An opulent bouquet of black raspberry, dark cherry, and red currants woven with warm baking spices, cigar box, and rich mocha. Unfolds across a velvety texture framed by fine, powdery tannins with subtle notes of graphite and sage. The 2024 vintage showcases the grape’s ideal Pacific Northwest expression — plush, complex maturity achieved through warm days and cool desert nights that preserve vibrant fruit and natural acidity.

• Origin – Walla Walla Valley AVA, Washington State, USA
• Producer – Seven Hills Winery; woman-owned, family-owned; winemaker Bobby Richards; anchored in the historic Seven Hills Founding Vineyard
• Varietal – 86% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Style – Dry red wine (old-world philosophy; restrained oak; minimal manipulation)
• ABV – 14.5%
• Certification – Certified Sustainable Vineyard and Wine; vegan-friendly production

Food Pairing

The velvety texture, powdery tannins, and dark fruit complexity of this Walla Walla Merlot make it a spectacular match for richly flavored dishes. Pairs beautifully with a sizzling ribeye steak, savory hand-rolled meatballs, and roasted lamb. The mocha and baking spice notes make it a wonderful companion for an elegant holiday roast, braised short ribs, and duck confit. Also excellent alongside aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and a well-curated charcuterie board. Decant 20–30 minutes before serving and enjoy at 62–66°F to allow the wine to fully open and express its complexity.

Occasion

This is your prestige Washington State Merlot — the bottle for fall entertaining, holiday dinners, special occasions, and gifting the wine enthusiast who appreciates old-world elegance from a New World pioneer. A standout choice for anyone who wants to support woman-owned, family-owned excellence in American wine, and a beautiful introduction to Walla Walla Valley Merlot for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered what this extraordinary region can do with this variety.

Wine Producer / Historical Notes

Seven Hills Winery stands as one of the historic, foundational cornerstones of the Walla Walla Valley, pioneering premium winemaking in the region long before it achieved international fame. Winemaker Bobby Richards champions an old-world philosophy focused on elegant, food-friendly structures with restrained oak integration — emphasizing a truly authentic sense of place rather than a standardized commercial style. The backbone of this blend is anchored in the historic Seven Hills Founding Vineyard, an acclaimed heritage site known for its deep silt loam soils and old vines, processed with minimal manipulation to ensure vegan-friendly production. Walla Walla Valley’s moderate, mellower growing conditions allow Merlot to achieve a plush, complex maturity without the intense heat stress required by Cabernet Sauvignon — making it one of the world’s most distinctive and celebrated Merlot-producing regions.

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