Month: May 2025

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Merry Edwards Winery, founded in 1997, is a well-known producer in California’s Russian River Valley. The winery was established by Merry Edwards, one of California’s first female winemakers, who began her winemaking career in 1970 with her amateur label, Merry Vintners, while pursuing a degree in physiology at UC Berkeley. She later earned a master’s degree in food science with an emphasis in enology from UC Davis. During her time there, she conducted groundbreaking research on lead contamination in wine, leading to the industry’s move away from lead-based capsules.

In 1974, Edwards became the winemaker at Mount Eden Vineyards. There, she curated Pinot Noir cuttings that were later propagated as UCD clone 37, also known as the “Merry Edwards selection,” which became widely planted in California.

By 1977, she was the founding winemaker at Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma County, where she further honed her expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her commitment to clonal research and site-specific viticulture helped elevate the reputation of Russian River Valley wines.

She launched her own label in 1997, alongside her husband, Ken Coopersmith. The flagship Meredith Estate Vineyard was planted in 1998, followed by Klopp Ranch in 1999, the Coopersmith Vineyard in 2001. Georganne Vineyard in 2006, Richaven Vineyard in 2012, and finally Warren’s Hill Vineyard in 2015. The winery’s first release was a 2,250-case bottling of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, marking its first single-vineyard offering.

In 2006-2007, a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room were constructed on the Coopersmith property, solidifying the winery’s presence in Sebastopol, California. In 2018, Edwards appointed Heidi von der Mehden as her successor, marking the first time another winemaker held that position at the winery. Von der Mehden, a Sonoma County native with a background in chemistry and winemaking, had worked closely with Edwards since 2015. The following year, in 2019, Merry Edwards Winery, including the brand, inventory, winery, tasting room, and 79 acres of vineyards, was acquired by Louis Roederer Champagne House (one of my favorites), a French producer known for its commitment to quality that also has a large California operation named Roederer Estate. Edwards remained involved during the transition, ensuring the winery’s values and standards were upheld.

Under von der Mehden’s leadership following Edward’s retirement in 2020, the winery has embraced sustainable practices, including organic farming at the Meredith Estate Vineyard. Innovations such as the introduction of a sparkling wine, the 2017 Merry Edwards Cuvee Eclipse, showcase the winery’s dedication to excellence and adaptation in the face of climate challenges.

Merry Edwards’ contributions to the wine industry have been widely recognized. She was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013, joining a select group of women honored for their impact on winemaking. Her advocacy for women in the industry and her commitment to quality have left an indelible mark on American viticulture.

Today, Merry Edwards Winery is a Certified California Sustainable Winery, producing a range of wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, with a focus on single-vineyard expressions from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.​

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023

First introduced in 2001, this wine presents as a very pale yellow in the glass.  The nose features delicate citrus notes, with subtle hints of lemon curd and lime zest.  On the palate, it is an intense classic Sauvignon Blanc, dominated by ruby red grapefruit, along with honeysuckle, ripe melon, and just a little bit of grassiness.  These are followed by a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity. The ABV is 14%.

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