Host your own wine tasting with John Glas

US & Worldwide Articles

The Wines of Meek Family Estates

Question/Answer Session

General Facts:

Location of the Vineyards: Benton City, WA Yakima Valley

What year were the vines planted?

2001

Terroir:

Meek Family Estate is located in the arid climate of Eastern Washington. Our estate vineyards are planted on shallow rocky soils, high above the Yakima River and slope gently to the south. This unique combination of soil, elevation and slope produces grapes with exceptional complexity, concentration and intense fruit flavors.

Grape Varieties Grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre, Counoise, Cinsault, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

Acreage:

The estate is 135 acres; I have 54 acres planted in wine grapes. I also grow 35 acres of cherries.

Case productions: 1000

Who is the wine maker?

I am the winemaker, although I have been support by a couple key consultants over the last few years. 2009 was my first solo vintage and I must say the wines are outstanding. some of the best my site has produced. It’s really all about the vineyard; the winemaker just needs to get out of the way.

How did you get started in the wine business and is there a reason you choose Yakima Valley as your starting point?

My Grandfather WJ Meek, was really my inspiration he made wine in the kitchen while I was growing up, he also had one row of vines in the backyard that we would pick each year.

I chose Yakima Valley because it was the best growing region in the state for the style of wines I wanted to produce. Big, rich, complex and concentrated.

What is the best advice anyone gave you?

That’s a difficult one. I’ve had so much help and advice for so many people. I think the best advice I got was from Fred Artz, vineyard manager of the famed Klipsun vineyard on Red Mountain. He was my first consultant. He said if you want to make great wine it’s all about the site, soils, macro and micro climate, elevation, terrior, etc. Vineyard management is critically important but if you don’t have the right site greatness is not possible. “The winemaking is the easy part” As the cliché goes all great wine is made in the vineyard!

What old world wines inspired prior to producing wines?

It was really the vineyards not the wine, I have been blessed to travel to many of the finest vineyards in the world and they really spoke to my heart. The wine tells the story of each vintage and all the work that man and vine put into it.

Also what style of new world wine are you trying to achieve?

I wanted big wines with a lot of character, wines that showcase a sense of place, complex and unique. Napa is certainly a place to emulate but WA wine and Yakima Valley wines are not Napa wines. That’s what so cool about wine it about the place and terrior.

Are there certain US producers that have inspired your wines? Do you use new oak (French/American)?

I use exclusively French Oak; I like what it brings to wine vs. American

I love Shafer Hillside Select, Cakebread, Joseph Phelps, Harlan Estate, Andrew Will, Woodward Canyon, Sheridan Vineyard (one of my mentors), Stevens Winery

Tell me about the different wines in your line. Are some meant to drink now while others we would want to cellar?

In general the WJ Meek line is an everyday wine, meant to drink now or hold short term.

Meek Family Estate (black label wines) are our flagship wines which are meant to enjoy now but may be held for several years, each years deliver a wine of increasing complexity. My wines are very young and only time will tell what’s possible in terms of cellar time.

What type of partnership do you have with Scott Greer at Sheridan?

Scott is one of my mentors and has been an inspiration to me in terms of the quality and style of wine I strive to produce. The 2005 vintage was guided by his hand.

What is the hardest challenge to making great wine in Washington? I assume it is not the volatile weather?

WA is blessed with ideal climate conditions each and every year. If you screw it up…it was management not the weather. I’d say the greatest challenge is learning what techniques will ultimately produce the best fruit/wine in WA, it a young growing areas vs. France and even CA. We continue to learn and refine our technique and practice each and every year. I’d say we are quick learners!

Are you looking to produce more wines long term or focus on your current lines?

I will expand my productions and offerings over time. I have some exciting Rhone varietals coming into production and plan to produce a Rhone style blend in the next couple years. In addition as the vineyard continues to mature, I will produce single varietal wines like Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec. Malbec is a very exciting variety and I think you will see more of this varietal planted in WA over time. My Malbec is outstanding, unfortunately I only have one acre currently planted.

I have enjoyed your wines but have you received any press from Parker, Spectator, etc?

I have not submitted anything to Parker or the Spectator to date. I’m sure if I did they would score very well. Up to this point I produce such small quantities and they sell out so quickly that just hasn’t been a priority. I kind of like keeping these wine “our little secret” at least for now.

Do you see the Meek Family Estate name ever becoming a household name at restaurants and wine shops in America? If so what challenges would you have with all the competition out there?

I don’t think I’ll every be a household name, that is not the goal, the goal is to produce Washington’s finest wines and share this special place and the wines it produces with my family and friends. Making fine wines is a great way to make a lot of friends!

Visit the website:

www.meekfamilyestate.com

2005 Meek Family Estate Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/16/2010)
Dark purple. Nose is new world syrah with cherry, blackberries, oak, vanilla and spices. The palate reveals amazing concentration and features oak, vanilla, blackberries, smoke, spices and blueberries. Medium and multi layered finish. I think this is one of the top Syrah wines under $30 in the world. (93 pts.)

2005 Meek Family Estate Inherit - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/16/2010)
This Bordeaux Blend features Merlot, Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Aromas of blueberries, vanilla, oak, and cherry. The palate is smooth overall and the oak is well integrated into the wine. Medium tannins and the finish is polished. Drink now or hold for 5 years. (92 pts.)

John Glas

Wineglas

2010

» Back to Top