6 bottle level      $30 (member price $27)
75% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec.  14.5% ABV

Jerry Bookwalter spent 13 years growing grapes in California’s Central Valley, then moved to Washington in 1976.  It took him six years to get the lay of the land before founding his family’s namesake winery in 1982, making it one of the oldest in Washington.  Jerry’s son John currently runs the winery. The winery is in Richland (Tri-Cities), close to Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and Wahluke Slope, and west of Walla Walla.  The fruit for Readers Merlot is from Dionysus Vineyard, Conner-Lee Vineyard and Weinbau Vineyard. 18 months in neutral French oak.  Bright & tangy red plum, black fig, blackberry, vanilla.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
Enjoy this classic merlot with meat loaf over mashed potatoes, lasagna Bolognese, honey baked ham, warm Shiitake mushroom cheese dip on herbed garlic toast, pepperoni pizza, baked pasta with sausage ragout, chipotle chicken stew, grilled beef with sesame dressing, grilled pork chops with orange BBQ sauce, Italian sausage pizza, scallion and Brie stuffed burgers with seasoned sweet potato fries, beef tenderloin with sakemirin butter, and grilled steaks topped with béarnaise sauce. For an after dinner treat, try a glass with a sliver of blue cheese or a chocolate truffle.