Our wines are produced from grapes grown on our estate vineyards at Merriam Estate and Windacre Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. From the beginning, we have been committed to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship. In the vineyard, we allow the vines to thrive by keeping intervention to a minimum so as not to interfere in the natural growing process. Our 21-acre estate is certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).
Sonoma County, California is made up of 17 distinctly different appellations. We are located in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley, where even between our two vineyard sites, we see diversity in terms of climate, soil composition, and geography. The cool evenings, morning fog, and warm, sunny afternoons result in wines that are well-structured, balanced, and refined. Our location provides an especially unique microclimate at the most northeastern point of the Russian River Valley. This exceptional climate allows us to grow Bordeaux-style wines, very rare to the area.
GRAPE VARIETY | Chardonnay
YEAR PLANTED | 2019
CLONES | 04 Chardonnay, Robert Young & Dijon 76
PLANTED ACRES | 5.5
GRAPE VARIETY | Savignon Blanc
YEAR PLANTED | 2010
CLONES | FPS 01
PLANTED ACRES | 2.5
GRAPE VARIETY | Semillon
YEAR PLANTED | 2010
CLONES | 173
PLANTED ACRES | 0.09
GRAPE VARIETY | Pinot Noir
YEAR PLANTED | 2010
CLONES | Pommard, FPS 23, Dijon 115, 667, 777
PLANTED ACRES | 4
GRAPE VARIETY | Leccino, Maurino, Frantoio, Moraiolo, and Pendolino
YEAR PLANTED | 2010
CLONES | None
PLANTED ACRES | 1.27
Merriam Estate is located on Los Amigos Road, just south of downtown Healdsburg in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley appellation. Growing conditions include cool morning fog, warm, sunny afternoons, and low overnight temperatures. The diverse ecosystem surrounding the vines features constructed wetlands and a water reclamation pond functioning as a filtration and storage system for the property’s irrigation. Planted in 2009, our south-facing property is made up of single vineyards, which include Danielle’s Vineyard (sauvignon blanc), Diana’s Vineyard (pinot noir), and Evanthea’s Vineyard (chardonnay). Our 21-acre estate is certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF).
While it’s not always easy to farm organically, it always made sense to me to take this extra effort to produce better wines, and a vineyard ecosystem that will thrive now and in the future.
- Peter Merriam
GRAPE VARIETY | Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR PLANTED | 2010
CLONES | 08, 04
PLANTED ACRES | 4.51
GRAPE VARIETY | Merlot
YEAR PLANTED | 2005, 2012
CLONES | 03, 15
PLANTED ACRES | 2.48
GRAPE VARIETY | Cabernet Franc
YEAR PLANTED | 2003
CLONES | N/A
PLANTED ACRES | 0.79
GRAPE VARIETY | Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR PLANTED | 2005, 2008
CLONES | 04, 08
PLANTED ACRES | 1.93
Windacre Vineyard is located on the eastern edge of the Russian River Valley, just north of the Merriam Estate. Originally planted in the late 1800s, it is one of the oldest vineyard sites in Sonoma County. It wasn’t until the 1980s when the climate within the vineyard was noted for its many similarities to Bordeaux that it was dedicated solely to Bordeaux varieties. Merriam purchased the property in 2000 and it has been sustainably farmed since 2001. Today we farm cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, and merlot. Each day, cool morning fog gives way to warm afternoons, dropping to low temperatures overnight.
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Design by Pembroke Studios.
Development by Wine Works.
Photography by Kim Carroll and Nick LaVecchia.
