Russian River Valley · Est. 1997
Merry Edwards Winery
California’s most celebrated woman winemaker. Benchmark Sauvignon Blanc and silky Russian River Pinot Noir.
Merry Edwards earned her winemaking degree from UC Davis in 1973, at a time when the field was almost entirely male. She went on to define Sauvignon Blanc production in California and to pioneer the winemaking approach to Russian River Valley Pinot Noir that shaped an entire generation of producers. Her own label, founded in 1997, became one of Sonoma County’s most respected. In 2019 she sold to Champagne Louis Roederer and retired from daily winemaking, but the estate and wine program continue under the same philosophy she built: minimal intervention, exceptional vineyard sourcing, and wines that age gracefully.
Merry Edwards: The Career Behind the Label
Before her own label, Merry Edwards made wine at Mount Eden Vineyards, then at Matanzas Creek, where she became one of the first women to hold head winemaker status at a major California winery. She was a charter member of the In Pursuit of Balance (IPOB) movement, which advocated for lower-alcohol, higher-acidity California wines at a time when the trend ran toward high extraction and high residual sugar. Her approach to Sauvignon Blanc, a dry, restrained style with no oak influence and no residual sweetness, redefined what the varietal could achieve in Sonoma County.
The Sauvignon Blanc: California’s Most Distinctive White
The Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc is made entirely without oak aging, a rarity at the level of quality this wine achieves. Grapes come from the Meredith Estate vineyard in Sebastopol, which Merry Edwards farmed biodynamically. Fermentation happens in stainless steel tanks to preserve the natural aromatics of the fruit: fresh grapefruit, white peach, and a distinctive mineral salinity that comes directly from the vineyard. The wine drinks beautifully on release but develops complexity over three to five years in the cellar. It is consistently one of the best Sauvignon Blancs produced in California.
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: Site-Specific and Cellar-Worthy
The winery produces Pinot Noirs from several distinct Russian River Valley sites, including the Tobias Glen, Flax, and Coopersmith vineyards. Each block is harvested, fermented, and aged separately before blending decisions are made in the spring following harvest. A portion of whole-cluster fermentation adds structure and spice to what would otherwise be purely fruit-forward wines. The house style prioritizes vineyard expression over extraction, resulting in Pinots that drink beautifully at five years and hold through twelve to fifteen.
Sebastopol and the Westside Russian River Valley
The Merry Edwards estate sits on Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol, in the western end of the Russian River Valley where marine influence from the Pacific is strongest. This area, sometimes called the Sebastopol Hills or the western Sonoma Coast transition zone, experiences the longest growing season in Sonoma County, with harvest sometimes extending into mid-October. The extended hang time allows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to develop full flavor complexity at sugar levels that preserve natural acidity. Goldridge sandy loam soils across this subregion are prized for their drainage and the elegant structure they impart to the wines.
Plan Your Visit
2959 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol, CA 95472
One hour north of San Francisco via Hwy 101 to Hwy 116 west toward Sebastopol.
Seated tastings by appointment. Contact the winery at merryedwards.com to reserve.
Wine club members receive priority access to single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and library wines.
Tasting room open by appointment. Call ahead or book online to confirm availability.
The Meredith Estate vineyard surrounding the winery is certified biodynamic by Demeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Merry Edwards and why is she significant?
Merry Edwards graduated from UC Davis in 1973 with one of the first winemaking degrees awarded to a woman by that program. She went on to lead winemaking at Matanzas Creek and became a pioneer in both the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir movement and in defining a dry, un-oaked style of California Sauvignon Blanc. Her own winery, founded in 1997, became one of the most critically respected in Sonoma County. She sold to Champagne Louis Roederer in 2019 and retired.
Is Merry Edwards wine worth the price?
The Sauvignon Blanc, typically priced around $40-50, is consistently one of the best values in California white wine. The single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, ranging from $65 to $90, are in the same tier as Kosta Browne and Williams Selyem but often more readily available. The wines age well, so buying in quantity and cellaring is a good strategy for wine club members.
Who makes Merry Edwards wines now that Merry has retired?
Merry Edwards sold the winery to Champagne Louis Roederer in 2019. The winemaking team she trained continues the program, maintaining the same vineyard contracts and house style. Louis Roederer brings deep sparkling wine expertise and the financial resources to maintain the estate long-term, but has not redirected the wine program away from still wines.
What is special about the Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc?
The Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel with no oak influence, a deliberate choice that keeps the wine clean, mineral, and varietal-focused. The grapes come primarily from the biodynamically farmed Meredith Estate in Sebastopol. The dry style, without residual sweetness, allows the acidity and minerality of the Russian River Valley to express clearly. It is one of the very few California Sauvignon Blancs that rewards five to seven years of cellaring.
How do I get on the Merry Edwards wine club mailing list?
Wine club signup is available at merryedwards.com. Members receive allocations of the single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, which are largely unavailable through retail, as well as access to library wine releases and first notification of new vintages.
What is the best Merry Edwards Pinot Noir?
The Tobias Glen vineyard Pinot Noir consistently earns the highest critical attention, with deep color, spice complexity from whole-cluster inclusion, and the firm acidity characteristic of cool-climate Russian River Valley fruit. The Flax vineyard wine shows more elegance and restraint. Both reward 5-10 years of cellaring but are approachable on release.
Guide researched and written by the Popular Wines editorial team. Information verified against official winery sources.
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