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.

When assembling our Russian River Valley blend, we have the great advantage of choosing from a diverse array of vineyard sites. Since our estate vineyards, from which we make our vineyard-designate wines, dot the Russian River appellation, we are able to choose lots that highlight the best characteristics of our valley. Grapes from the Santa Rosa Plain bring a classic cherry aroma and round mouthfeel. Sebastopol Hills vineyards provide enticing perfume and bright acidity. Laguna Ridge fruit contributes dark berries with rich tannins. We bring all of these elements together to produce a wine that showcases our world-class appellation.

The Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked and hand sorted in the field and at the winery. Berries were 100% de-stemmed, with whole berries placed in the fermenter. The fruit was cold soaked for five days, and it was aged nine months in 37% new French oak barrels. Bottling was done on Aug. 12, 2024.

Clones: UCD37, 115, 667 and Windsor Gardens.

The nose on this vintage features an undercurrent of sweetness, with hints of root beer and cherry cola, along with ripe cherries, caramel, and floral and forest notes. The full-forward palate, with an elegant entry, offers pine and sweet red fruit, with dried cocoa throughout the extended finish.

After many years of drought, we welcomed a full dose of rain in 2023. The rains lasted throughout the spring, providing the vines with plenty of moisture to grow a healthy canopy and full crop load. It also helped to moderate temperatures, keeping frost at bay. The summer was very typical for the Russian River Valley, with cool nights and coastal fog that came in every evening, barely burning off by noon. The growing season's cooler temperatures led to a delayed and prolonged harvest, so patience was key. The resulting wines are elegant, with mouthwatering acidity and focused aromatics.