David Merfeld

The Climb

Fermentation is the throughline in David Merfeld’s work, with beer and wine giving him two sides of the same technical discipline. He trained at University of California, Davis and American Brewer’s Guild before beginning his career as brewer at Grant's Brewery Pub in Yakima, Washington. That early work built a practical base and a close read on how flavor is formed, moved, and finished over time. Since 2006, David has been winemaker of Northstar Winery, where that background continues to shape the way he approaches the cellar.

Today

At Northstar Winery (since 2006), the work sits between precision and patience. Winemaking asks for both, and David Merfeld’s path reflects that balance: a brewer’s command of fermentation science joined to the judgment needed to carry wine through its final stages. The result is a practice grounded in hands-on decision-making, where each choice stays with the bottle.

Career - winemaker — Northstar Winery, Walla Walla, Washington (2006–present) - brewer — Grant's Brewery Pub, Yakima, Washington Education: University of California, Davis; American Brewer’s Guild

Signature

MERF Cabernet Sauvignon, MERF Chardonnay, and MERF rose are the wines most closely tied to David Merfeld’s name. Together, they show the range of his cellar work: the structure and depth of MERF Cabernet Sauvignon, the bright, poised character of MERF Chardonnay, and the freshness of MERF rose. These bottles are the clearest read on his approach to texture, balance, and fermentation.

In Their Words “It presented a new and exciting challenge. I loved drinking beer and wine. This switch allowed me to expand on my knowledge of fermentation science.” That comment lays out the logic of David Merfeld’s move from brewing into winemaking. It was less a detour than a broader application of the same discipline, taking fermentation from one trade into another and building on the same technical base. The line is plainspoken, and that is part of its value. It reads as ownership of the work and attention to the result, the kind of satisfaction that comes when a wine lands where the maker intended.

Recognition

He has also said, "I love my Cabernet."

FAQ Where did David Merfeld train or study? David Merfeld trained at University of California, Davis and American Brewer’s Guild. What is David Merfeld known for? Merlot-focused wines.