{"title":"Wautoma Springs","description":"\u003cp\u003eWautoma Springs is a boutique Washington winery built on an unusually close partnership between the vineyard and the cellar. Founded by winemaker Jessica Munnell and second-generation grape grower Tom Merkle, the project grew from a simple idea: take exceptional fruit that had long been destined for other respected Washington wineries and give it a label, and a story of its own.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"wautoma-springs-jmst-vineyard-sauvignon-blanc-columbia-valley-washington","title":"Wautoma Springs JMST Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington","description":"\u003cp\u003eGooseberry, guava, and fresh herbal tones meet a dry palate driven by bright, firm acidity. 2024 Wautoma Springs JMST Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc shaped by the sustainably farmed JMST Vineyard and made in a small lot of just 215 cases. With low residual sugar and a taut acid profile, Jessica Munnell’s winemaking keeps the fruit vivid and the finish clean, continuing Wautoma Springs’ focus on small-production wines closely connected to vineyards managed by co-owner and grower Tom Merkle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jessica Munnell and Tom Merkle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jessica Munnell\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrapes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarming:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sustainable WA certified vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Source:\u003c\/strong\u003e JMST Vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Management:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tom Merkle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.70\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.25\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResidual Sugar:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 g\/L, dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13.5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase Production:\u003c\/strong\u003e 215 cases\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSensory Description:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGooseberry and guava lead the aromatic profile, layered with sweet clover and fresh grassy, herbal tones. The palate is dry and focused, with ripe tropical fruit held in check by firm, bright acidity. The low residual sugar keeps the wine clean and energetic, while the herbal character adds definition alongside the fruit. It finishes crisp and precise, with refreshing acidity carrying the gooseberry and green notes through the close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Accolades:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paul Gregutt, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWimnemaker’s Background:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWautoma Springs grew from the partnership of winemaker Jessica Munnell and grape grower Tom Merkle, who began working together in 2008 to produce small-lot wines from vineyards they knew closely. Munnell brings experience in both viticulture and winemaking, while Merkle is a second-generation Washington grape grower who manages vineyard sites across the state. JMST Vineyard is co-owned and managed by Merkle in the Columbia Valley and is Sustainable WA certified, reinforcing the direct connection between the winery and its fruit sources. The Sauvignon Blanc belongs to Wautoma Springs’ Heritage Art Series, whose white-wine labels celebrate plants native to eastern Washington. Artist Leigh Ann Torres depicts Arrowleaf balsamroot for this bottling, connecting the greens and yellows of the plant with the wine’s grassy, herbal, and fresh-fruited character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Suggestions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe well chilled at approximately 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in a white wine or universal wine glass. Its dry profile and firm acidity make it particularly suited to goat cheese, oysters, ceviche, grilled white fish, shellfish, fresh salads, asparagus, herb-roasted chicken, and dishes built around green herbs or citrus. The combination of guava, gooseberry, and herbal freshness can also complement Southeast Asian dishes with moderate spice and fresh aromatic herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bluebird Beverage and Distribution","offers":[{"title":"2024 \/ 750mL","offer_id":42435538812983,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2699\/1632\/files\/Wautoma_Springs_JMST_Vineyard_Sauvignon_Blanc_Columbia_Valley_Washington_2024_37008c8e-e43b-4593-9880-fac58b1aee84.png?v=1789704324"},{"product_id":"meet-the-winemaker-wautoma-springs-with-jessica-munnell","title":"Meet the Winemaker: Wautoma Springs with Jessica Munnell","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJessica Munnell’s route to the cellar began in the vineyard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter earning her master’s degree at Washington State University, Jessica worked in viticulture before completing a winemaking internship in Australia. She later held winemaking positions at Snoqualmie, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Mercer Estates before becoming co-owner and winemaker of Wautoma Springs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow she’s joining us in Denver for an intimate tasting of seven small-production Washington wines:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlbarino · Sauvignon Blanc · Chardonnay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoodie · Lil’ Inky Malbec · El Prat · Behemoth Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach 45–50 minute round is limited to just ten guests, leaving plenty of time to taste, compare, and ask Jessica about everything from sustainable Washington vineyards to what happens inside the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWednesday, October 14\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 PM\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBirch Road Highlands\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3845 Lipan Street, Denver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose your preferred tasting time when reserving. Guests will receive a tasting menu with a QR code for ordering wines, with purchases available for pickup from Wine Dispensary afterward.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWine Club members:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Use code \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWINECLUBPERK\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e when reserving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButton:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePick Your Tasting Round\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bluebird Beverage and Distribution","offers":[{"title":"5:30pm - 6:15pm","offer_id":50225226088503,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6:30pm - 7:15pm","offer_id":50225226121271,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7:30pm - 8:15pm","offer_id":50225226154039,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2699\/1632\/files\/WAUTOMASPRINGSTASTING.png?v=1790812708"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2699\/1632\/collections\/Jessica_Munnell_by_Richard_Duval_Image_1.jpg?v=1790806937","url":"https:\/\/www.winedispensary.com\/collections\/wautoma-springs.oembed","provider":"Wine Dispensary","version":"1.0","type":"link"}