Avennia "Lydian" Merlot '19

Avennia was founded in 2010 as a partnership between Marty and Colleen Taucher, Lauren Smith, and Chris Peterson. Marty and Chris had worked together at DeLille Cellars and began to imagine what their own winery in Washington could be like. In 2010 they produced their first wines from 16 tons of fruit. With a focus on showcasing Washington as a unique and compelling place for great wines, Avennia has made it a priority is to acquire fruit from some of the finest vineyards in Washington, in AVAs including Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain, and Snipes Mountain. They’ve also chosen to focus on the grape varieties used in Bordeaux and the Rhône, as Washington lies at a latitude similar to that of those regions.

Winemaking at Avennia is based on doing less in order to let the fruit speak for itself. With this approach, sourcing the finest fruit possible is paramount. Native yeast is used to ferment the wines, and they’re bottle unfined to preserve their complexity. Avennia's “Lydian” line is a second label from the producer, established in 2019 with the goal of crafting delicious wines that are a pleasure to drink without breaking the bank, which makes them perfect for our wine club. The 2019 Merlot offers aromas of plum, blackberry, and cocoa, while the palate offers similar flavors, with soft, plush tannins and medium body. Pair this wine with cheeseburgers off the grill or carne asada tacos.