Northstar Winery
est. 1994
Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance member (as of 2026-08-18).
Tasting room closed June 30, 2026 — Ste. Michelle closed the Walla Walla tasting room and production facility; production moved to Columbia Crest (Paterson); the brand now pours at a tasting salon at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, source
The winery
- Founded
- 1994
- Facility
- own winery
- Other labels
- Stella Maris
- Wines poured
- Bordeaux-Style Blends, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Blends, Rosé, Sparkling Wine, Syrah, White Blends
In the winery’s own words, via the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance member profile:
Since its inaugural 1994 vintage, Walla Walla’s Northstar Winery 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, acclaimed as the “number one source for good American Merlot” by The New York Times .
They invite guests to explore Northstar wines at the recently opened Northstar Tasting Salon at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, and through the wine club and online.
Woodinville Tasting Salon hours of operation:
Wednesday – Sunday 11:00am–5:00pm (last seating at 3:45pm)
People
- Jed Steele winemaker
quoted from the source
Northstar was guided by celebrated California winemaker Jed Steele
extracted from
sites, source - David Merfeld winemaker
quoted from the source
current winemaker, David "Merf" Merfeld, head Winemaker since 2005
extracted from
sites, source
Where the fruit comes from
Purchased fruit
- Dionysus Vineyard (Columbia Valley)
Appellations
- Columbia Valley
quoted from the source
top 2% of Columbia and Walla Walla Valley's finest Merlot grapes
extracted from
sites, source - The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
quoted from the source
100% Syrah from one of our favorite sites in the Walla Walla Valley - The Rocks
extracted from
sites, source - Walla Walla Valley
quoted from the source
top 2% of Columbia and Walla Walla Valley's finest Merlot grapes
extracted from
sites, source
Wines
12 wines, 41 vintages on record. Sources: the winery’s own webstore.
| Wine | Vintage | Score | Source | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Blanca White Wine | 2024 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Franc | 2022 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Syrah | 2022 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Franc | 2021 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2021 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Syrah | 2021 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2020 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2020 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2020 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Franc | 2019 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Petit Verdot | 2019 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2019 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2019 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Franc | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Malbec | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Petit Verdot | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Stella Maris Red Wine | 2018 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Malbec | 2017 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Merlot | 2017 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Petit Verdot | 2017 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2017 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Stella Maris Red Wine | 2017 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Merlot | 2016 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Petit Verdot | 2016 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Syrah | 2016 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Merlot | 2015 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2015 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2015 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Petit Verdot | 2014 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2014 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 2013 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Premier Merlot | 2013 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |
| Red Wine Blend | 2013 | — | winery webstore (rendered) | — |