Wautoma Springs JMST Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington

Gooseberry, 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.

Product Details:

• Owners: Jessica Munnell and Tom Merkle
• Winemaker: Jessica Munnell
• Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Sustainable WA certified vineyard
• Vineyard Source: JMST Vineyard
• Vineyard Management: Tom Merkle
• TA: 0.70
• pH: 3.25
• Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L, dry
• ABV: 13.5%
• Case Production: 215 cases

Sensory Description:

Gooseberry 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.

Awards & Accolades:

• 91 Points: Paul Gregutt, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

Wimnemaker’s Background:

Wautoma 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.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve 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.