Introduction:
Corvidae is the value-focused second label of Owen Roe Winery, one of the Pacific Northwest's most critically acclaimed producers, founded in 1999 by David and Angelica O'Reilly in the Yakima Valley. The name Corvidae is Latin for the crow family of birds, a common presence in the eastern Washington vineyards, and "Rook" takes its name from the legendary luck associated with crows. Built to deliver Owen Roe's winemaking philosophy - vineyard-driven, minimal intervention, meticulous fruit sourcing - at an accessible price point, Corvidae draws primarily from Owen Roe's 280-acre estate Outlook Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA, which holds LIVE certification for sustainable farming and winemaking. The Rook was conceived specifically to showcase the world-class Merlot that thrives at the cooler, higher-elevation sites of the Columbia Valley, and has done so with remarkable consistency across vintages.*

Tasting notes: Aged primarily in neutral oak I order to showcase its ebullient fruit characters, the 2023 Corvidae Wine Company "Rook" Merlot has aromas of black cherries, plums, and blackberries layered with cocoa powder, cedar, baking spice, and orange peel. The palate is full-bodied and lushly-textured, with flavors of ripe blueberries, raspberries, black cherries, and plums laced with bright acidity that keeps the wine vibrant and fresh. The finish is long, with lingering notes of black cherries, baking apices, and subtle minerality. 

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Roasted chicken with herbs, grilled lamb chops, or a veal roast with a cheesy cauliflower gratin
🥦 Vegetarian: Mushroom and lentil ragù, roasted root vegetables with herbs, or a hearty eggplant Parmesan
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Manchego, Gruyère, salami, dried cherries, and Marcona almonds

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.1%
Farming Practices: LIVE-certified sustainable farming and winemaking (Outlook Vineyard); no herbicides or pesticides; strict yield controls; hand-harvested; gravity-racked juice; minimal processing throughout
Producer Name: Corvidae Wine Company / Owen Roe Winery (David O'Reilly, founder and winemaker; Wapato, Washington)
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: USA
Region: Columbia Valley AVA — primarily Outlook Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington State
Grape Varietals:Merlot 
Vintage: 2023
Wine Style: Dry Red — Medium-to-full-bodied, fruit-forward, and approachable, with a plush, lively Washington Merlot profile shaped by high-desert Columbia Valley terroir and neutral French oak aging. Designed for everyday enjoyment and food versatility.
Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested; small-lot fermentation; aged in mostly neutral French oak; gravity racking; minimal processing; bottled in Prosser, WA
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork
*from winery notes