Merriam's biking

Passing our legacy from one generation to the next.

Team
The heart and soul of the winery

Peter Merriam
Peter Merriam
Proprietor
An avid skier and accomplished fly fisherman, Peter finds that the discipline, dedication, and focus that he has developed through skiing and fishing have served him well in the vineyard. Peter and Diana purchased the estate, now Merriam Vineyards, in 2000 when his 20-year retail wine business aided in the new endeavor. A natural conservationist, Peter is the driving force behind the sustainable and organic philosophy in the vineyards. He and Diana split their time between Sonoma County and their home in Maine.
Diana Merriam
Diana Merriam
Proprietor
Diana was raised in New England where she and Peter met. During their honeymoon in France, Diana and Peter were inspired by the intricacies of food and regional styles of wine. While raising four children, Diana began a passion for cooking and gardening. Years later, the purchase of Merriam Vineyards fulfilled their desire to share what they love most about New England and Europe, in a California setting. Diana is an advocate for local sustainable agriculture, wine, food, and warm family hospitality.
Evan Merriam
Evan Merriam
Estate Manager
Born and raised north of Boston, Massachusetts, Evan grew up fishing and sailing along the New England coast during the summer and skiing the mountains in winter. Throughout high school and college, he began traveling to California more frequently to help bottle and pour wine. In 2017 the easy decision was made to relocate to Healdsburg and work alongside the winemaker, which led to an invaluable hands-on experience. In his free time, Evan enjoys exploring California’s rivers, mountains, and coastline.
William Weese
William Weese
Winemaker
Will is a Sonoma County native who has been in the industry for many years exploring and working in the wine regions of California, along with Chile, France, and New Zealand. He loves to encompass both old and new world styles in creating his own identity as a winemaker. As a winemaker, he likes to pay tribute to the land with a focus on organic, biodynamic, and sustainability. Will, in his spare time, is typically on a golf course, working on his car, or spending time with family and friends.
Michael deRutte
Michael deRutte
Property & Facilities Manager
Born and raised in Sonoma County, Michael joined our team in the summer of 2022 and has already made a major impact on our estate development and sustainability program. He loves the outdoors and everything Northern California has to offer. On any given weekend you can find him skiing at Lake Tahoe, cheering on his 49ers, or spending time with his family.