Press Release Archives

Sep

11

2009

Northstar Launches The Big Dipper Chronicles

Project Guides Wine Lovers Through the Life of New Wine from Vine to Glass

Walla Walla, WA – Leading Washington Merlot producer Northstar Winery today announced the launch of "The Big Dipper Chronicles," a one-of-a-kind interactive media experience which invites fans behind the scenes to experience the making of a new, extremely limited production wine currently known as "The Big Dipper."

Beginning with the 2009 harvest, Northstar has partnered with award-winning writer Leslie Kelly to lead readers through the life cycle of this special Merlot, guided by Northstar winemaker David "Merf" Merfeld and his team in the vineyards, cellar, and tasting room. Through articles, videos, and photography, Kelly’s dispatches from winemaking’s front lines will provide a unique opportunity to step inside the creation process, in real time, from the first vineyard selection to the wine’s estimated release in 2012.

Along the way, readers will virtually experience the buzz of activity at harvest and the intricacies of blending, as well as following Merf and the Northstar team through vineyard visits, the naming of the wine, comparative tastings, and the first pourings of the finished wine. Followers of the Chronicles will also have opportunities to interact with the winemaker through special pre-release tastings, Twitter and Facebook updates, and online chats throughout the Big Dipper’s evolution.

"Northstar already produces world-class Merlots," said Merf. "Our mission with the Big Dipper is to push the envelope, show the world just how great Washington Merlot can be, and create a wine that can be enjoyed for decades after release. The Big Dipper Chronicles project is an exciting opportunity for wine lovers get involved with the creation of this wine from the ground up."

"By the time the wine releases, those who have followed our progress will know the Big Dipper almost as intimately as we do, which will add immensely to the experience of drinking it," he added.

To reach his goal of creating Washington’s best Merlot, Merf begins in the vineyards. In Chapter 1, Kelly accompanies Merf to key sites in the Columbia Valley searching for the blocks that will provide "the best of the best" source grapes for the Big Dipper. From Red Mountain to Wahluke Slope, Merf walks Kelly and readers through the attributes of his favorite vineyard blocks, explaining the style he is looking for and what these grapes could contribute to the final blend.

Future chapters will introduce the winery team and cover the life of a grape and harvest, crush, barrel selection, the blending trials and tannin research that put Northstar at the forefront of winemaking technology, and an exploration of why Washington is among the world’s finest areas for growing Merlot.

Kelly's dispatches, along with videos and photos, will appear regularly on Northstar’s website, and updates will appear on the winery’s official Facebook page and Twitter feed @northstarwinery.

Since its inaugural 1994 vintage, Walla Walla’s Northstar has produced exceptional, critically acclaimed Merlots from the very best grapes grown in the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys. Heralded as one of Washington's leaders in producing high quality Merlot, Northstar has led the renaissance of the varietal in Washington state, acclaimed as the "number one source for good American Merlot" by the New York Times.

Read The Big Dipper Chronicles, Chapter 1 here!

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For further information:
Grace Doyle, Communications Manager
425.415.3359
grace.doyle@smwe.com