The impetus for Merry Edwards Wines is Merry Edwards herself.  One of the first women to become a California winemaker, Merry began her career in 1973.  From the outset she eschewed the prevailing New World philosophy that winemakers should strongly imprint wines with their own personalities.  Merry has said for the past three decades, “I always want the vineyard’s fruit to show first and foremost.”  This is why she longed to plant her own vineyards where she could capture flavors through site specific viticulture and painstaking handwork.

In 1996 she purchased twenty-four acres of sloping hillside in the Russian River Valley, intent on growing luscious Pinot Noir on this promising site.  Early in 1997, Merry met entrepreneur Bill Bourke, a founding investor in Chalone and Ravenswood wineries.  They formed a partnership to develop Meredith Estate vineyard and launch a new brand, Merry Edwards Wines.  Bill and Merry presented their plans to a small group of shareholders.  Their business was incorporated in August of 1997, shortly before Merry harvested the inaugural vintage of Merry Edwards Pinot Noir.

With the help of her husband, Ken Coopersmith, Merry planted the twenty-four acre Meredith Estate vineyard the following year and harvested a small crop in 2000.  With that vintage, Merry introduced the first Meredith Estate Pinot Noir.  In time, this vineyard will provide approximately one third of the grapes for the Merry Edwards Pinot Noir program. 

Broadening her palette of Pinot Noir while exploring the distinct personalities of the appellation’s regions, Merry has developed secure, long term commitments from prime growers in the Russian River Valley.  Ted Klopp farms his Pinot Noir to Merry's specifications.  Bob Pellegrini, whose Olivet Lane Vineyard is well known among wine collectors, provides Merry with prized grapes.  These two vineyards, along with the now extinct Windsor Gardens, formed the early base for Merry’s focused vineyard designate program

Developing her own vineyard and working with the region’s finest growers has deepened Merry’s respect for the impact of location coupled with precision farming.  In 1999 Merry and husband Ken expanded the brand’s estate program by purchasing nine and one-half acres in the heart of Russian River Valley and planting it in 2001 with two rare Pinot Noir clones:  Dijon 828 and Merry Edwards’ own selection - UCD 37.  The first Coopersmith Pinot Noir is vintage 2004.  This Coopersmith Vineyard is also the site of the new Merry Edwards Winery, under construction beginning October 2006.

In 2006, Merry and Ken further expanded their estate properties, signing a thirty-year lease for a seven-acre property on Westside Road in Russian River Valley.  They planted this Georganne Vineyard exclusively to UCD clone 37.  The first harvest is anticipated for 2008.   Their expanding portfolio of estate vineyards underscores Merry and Ken’s focus on winegrowing from the ground up and crafting the highest level of quality.

Over the years Merry has developed collaborative relationships with many of Russian River Valley’s outstanding Pinot Noir growers.  This has allowed Merry to increase her offering of wines that express, vintage after vintage, consistent personality and quality.  The family of vineyard designate wines now includes Klopp Ranch, Olivet Lane and Tobias Glen, while a 2005 Flax Vineyard Pinot Noir is aging in the cellar.  These supplement the estate bottlings from Meredith, Coopersmith and the future Georganne.

While devoted to Pinot Noir, Merry has a favorite white wine – Sauvignon Blanc.  Finding grapes from Dutton-Cohen Vineyard irresistible, Merry began making this varietal wine under her label in 2001.   The production has grown to include grapes from Merry’s old friend, Bob Hopkins, and a new Sauvignon Musqué vineyard planted exclusively for Merry by the Dutton family.

Whether planted to Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc, all of Merry’s grape sources are characterized by long term commitment, respect for the land, family ownership and site specific viticulture.  With exceptional Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast grapes, Merry Edwards is able to produce acclaimed wines using gentle, traditional, labor intensive winemaking practices.

1997                Meredith Vineyard Estate, Inc. founded; Merry producedthe first vintage of
                        Merry Edwards Pinot Noir

1998                Planted Meredith Estate vineyard

1999                Released first vintage of 1997 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir

2001                Produced first vintage of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

2002                Released first vintage of 2001 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

2004                Merry Edwards named one of “The 50 Most Influential Winemakers in the World”
                        by Wine and Spirits Magazine

2002-2005      Merry Edwards Wines named an Artisan Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine
                        in each year’s Annual Buying Guide

2005-2006      Wine & Spirits Magazine names Merry Edwards Wines“Most Popular Pinot Noir”
                        in their Annual Restaurant Poll

2006                Broke ground for Merry Edwards Winery at Coopersmith Estate vineyard

2006                Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir is named 21st in Wine Spectator’s “Top 100  Wines of 2006”

2006                Olivet Lane Pinot Noir and 2005 Sauvignon Blanc named one of the“Top 100 Wines
                        of 2006” in San Francisco Chronicle

                        Merry Edwards Wines named one of “The Magnificent 30” of Wine Spectator’s annual
                        California Pinot Noir issue.

2007                2005 Sauvignon Blanc is named 40th in Wine Spectator's “Top 100 Wines of 2007”

2007               Merry Edwards Winery opens in Sebastopol, CA