Merry Edwards Winery was founded in 1997 and produces terroir-driven, single-vineyard wines from 80 acres of estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The winery is known for crafting Pinot Noirs of immense depth, elegant structure and exceptional longevity as well as its aromatic, barrel-aged Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which is among the most sought after made in California. A single-vineyard Chardonnay and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc round out the portfolio.

In 1996, Merry purchased this 24-acre site, an abandoned apple orchard southwest of the Sebastopol city limits. Two years later, she converted the entire parcel to Pinot Noir. Meredith Estate vineyard grows in an area known locally as the Sebastopol Hills. On this cool southern edge of Russian River Valley, summer fog shrouds the area, typically until midday. Vine growth is carefully monitored, with a dedicated vineyard crew positioning shoots and thinning the crop three to four times each growing season. They determine irrigation requirements by measuring precisely the moisture content of the grape leaves.

All grapes are hand-picked at night and hand-sorted in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermented in discrete lots so that individual clones can be treated respectfully. Dijon 667 is highly successful on this site and thus forms a strong foundation for this stunning wine. Highlights of the Swan selection, Dijon 777 and Merry's own UCD37 round out and add complexity to the overall blend. Vegan-friendly. 

The nose of this opaque purple wine starts with inviting notes of vanilla cream, fresh blackberries, baking spices and plums. Elegant and refined on the palate, this Estate bottling has a purity of fruit and silky, well-integrated tannins. Brooding black fruit notes and bittersweet chocolate intertwine with a core of well-balanced acidity. The finish is long, bright and mouthwatering— an effortless marriage of intensity and grace.

2019 had plenty of early rains, which led to strong canopies and long hang time for the fruit. The grapes held onto their acidity well and provided firm tannins with beautiful structure to highlight the characteristic Meredith dark fruit.