Merry Edwards Winery

Merry Edwards began her winemaking career at Mount Eden Vineyards in 1974, moving to the Russian River Valley in 1977. She founded Merry Edwards Winery in 1997, establishing it as one of the region's most respected names. Edwards is widely credited with helping put Russian River Valley Pinot Noir on the map, and her development of the UCD 37 clone, known as the Merry Edwards selection, stands as one of her most lasting contributions to California viticulture. In 2013, she was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintners Hall of Fame.

• Career began at Mount Eden Vineyards in 1974
• Moved to Russian River Valley in 1977, founded winery in 1997
• Developed the UCD 37 Pinot Noir clone, the Merry Edwards selection
• Inducted into the CIA Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013

The winery operates 12 owned and leased vineyards across the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs. The Sebastopol Hills location places the estate in a cool-climate zone shaped by coastal fog influence from the Pacific Ocean. This combination of cool temperatures and well-timed fog creates the long, even growing season that defines the region's expressive, terroir-driven Pinot Noir. The winery facility was completed in 2008 at Coopersmith Vineyard.

• 12 owned and leased vineyards in Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs
• Cool climate with coastal fog influence from the Pacific
• Sebastopol Hills location provides consistent, long growing season
• Winery facility at Coopersmith Vineyard, completed in 2008

Pinot Noir is the cornerstone of the portfolio, produced as terroir-driven, single-vineyard wines that express the distinct character of individual sites across the Russian River Valley. Sauvignon Blanc was added to the portfolio in 2001 and has become a signature offering alongside Pinot Noir. Chardonnay from the Olivet Lane vineyard rounds out the lineup, reflecting the winery's commitment to cool-climate varieties suited to Sonoma County.

• Pinot Noir is the primary focus, offered as single-vineyard bottlings
• Sauvignon Blanc added to the portfolio in 2001
• Chardonnay sourced from Olivet Lane vineyard
• All wines reflect the cool, fog-influenced Russian River Valley terroir

Maison Louis Roederer acquired Merry Edwards Winery in 2019, integrating it into Roederer Collection USA. Merry Edwards retired from her role as winemaker in 2020, with Heidi von der Mehden stepping in as her successor. Nicole Carter serves as President. The transition preserved the winery's commitment to single-vineyard Pinot Noir while providing the resources of one of Champagne's most prominent houses.

• Acquired by Maison Louis Roederer in 2019
• Merry Edwards retired as winemaker in 2020
• Heidi von der Mehden is current winemaker
• Nicole Carter serves as President