- Liane Morris
Environmentally Friendly Varietals | Mercer Wines
Hunter Valley winemaker Aaron Mercer is a leading voice within the Australian Wine sector for sustainability in wine business. In his own words, he is “attempting to save the world, one bottle at a time.”
Alison and Aaron Mercer grew up in the Hunter Valley and attended High School together before setting off on their own paths. Aaron studied Environmental Science at the University of Newcastle while working in Cellar Door at Scarborough Wines, where he continued scrubbing tanks, learning from local legends and realising the joy of making wine. Together the couple travelled the world, with Aaron learning his craft and continuing his education in winemaking in France, Germany, Canada and California.
Returning from their travel to settle once more in the Hunter Valley with their young family, Aaron became known for his impact on the quality of organic and preservative-free winemaking. In 2020, the couple established their own label - Mercer Wines, dedicated to working with sustainably certified growers, crafting in small batches, using emerging varietals that are better for the environment, such as Tempranillo and Montepulciano and promoting the power of sustainability in all aspects of wine business. Fruit is sourced locally and from higher altitude NSW wine regions like Orange, Hilltops and Tumbarumba.
Soon after launching the new Mercer Limited Release wines, Mercer Wines was awarded Gold at three wine shows - an impressive debut and multiple awards have followed. The 2021 Limited Release Shiraz, Semillon and Montepulciano have been standouts. “These wines are the result of working with local growers from esteemed vineyards who enable us to source the fruit to make classic styles that best represent the Hunter region,” says Aaron.
“The fact we are receiving such great accolades for our first vintages is a testament to the quality of the fruit and perhaps a little winemaking know-how.”
Mercer Wines are now widely available in restaurants throughout NSW as well as at the “Pop Up” cellar door at Wine House Hunter Valley, where the couple share their sustainable wines with the growing crowd of conscious consumers. Their new tasting experience is educational, relaxed and a push to alternative varietals showing twelve bold wines.
“I’m excited to embark on a journey of continuously improving the environmental, social and economic aspects of our business and to continue to deliver wines that celebrate variety and place.”
The Mercer Wines Pop-Up Cellar Door is open 11am – 5pm, seven days a week, at 426 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin. Bookings are recommended. www.mercerwines.com.au/book-a-tasting.
