Did You Know? Merriam is celebrating its 25th year. Visit now and join the club to be included in upcoming celebrations.
Merriam Vineyards 311650 Los Amigos Road Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-433-4032 merriamvineyards.com
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
William Weese lets the clonal and climatic differences take center stage. A 2022 Eastside Estate pinot shows finesse and subtlety, reflecting its location southwest of the winery, closer to the coast. A 2022 Diana’s Estate (grown in the family’s Los Amigos vineyard in the appellation’s far eastern hills) is spicy and full-bodied. A third entry, 2022 Three Sons, is also from Los Amigos (this reserve wine is made from select rows to reflect the vineyard’s best each year); it’s bolder still, with a balance of floral and spice notes, plus stronger tannins for great ageability. The winery’s flagship merlot (2021) also comes from Los Amigos. Located just up the road from the winery and CCOF certified organic, it’s the first vineyard Peter Merriam purchased when starting the winery. The wine is silky and layered, medium-bodied with bright, juicy red fruit flavors and velvety tannins. An excellent merlot. Non-estate wines A 2021 Lower Pond Malbec is not sourced from estate fruit (though that will change with the 2023 vintage, currently in-barrel). A big, bold red, it has an earthy nose, intense color and deep, dark fruit and spice. This one will age beautifully. We finish with a 2019 Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon that’s rich and smooth, with sweet hints of peppers and spices. Outstanding mountain fruit, aged 24 months in French oak, delivers structured tannins and a beautiful, silky mouthfeel. What a memorable way to close out our exploration of this fantastic winery. As we stand to leave, a snuffling black nose makes one last appearance, hoping for a dropped crumb or an illicit cheese cube. Not today, fluffy one. a
If you live in Sonoma County, you’ve driven past Merriam Vineyards—multiple times. It’s located on a frontage road between Windsor and Healdsburg, easily visible when driving north on 101 between the two destinations. It’s time to stop by and savor the experience. A furry, friendly hello We’re greeted with a glass of Sonoma Coast chardonnay as we walk from the parking lot to the tasting room. It’s bright and crisp, thanks to stainless steel fermentation; it’s a cheerful welcome on a drizzly day. Adding to the greeting is Yogi, a good-good boy, who nuzzles up then leads the way. The mid-March weather isn’t cooperating, so we skip the vineyard tour and settle on a comfy couch inside for our visit, which officially includes five wines (we’re poured a few extras along the way). A charcuterie tray of local meats, cheeses, breads and certified organic estate olive oil adds to the experience—as does Yogi, who settles at our feet but doesn’t get breadsticks no matter how nicely he asks. The treasures of Merriam We start with 2022 Danielle’s Estate Fumé Blanc, a sauv blanc with 10% semillon. These vineyards surround the tasting room, with just six rows of head-trained semillon vines visible just outside. “Semillon has thicker skins and takes longer to ripen,” says Sara, our host. “When it’s added to sauvignon blanc, it gives wine more power and oomph.” For funsies, we sip an Old Wente Chardonnay, which is vastly different from the Sonoma Coast wine. Aged 12 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a well-balanced California-style chard—round, soft and creamy. Delicious. A side-by-side comparison of estate pinot noirs offers similar contrast. Merriam owns vineyards in various subregions of the Russian River Valley AVA, and winemaker
Single Vineyard Tasting Wine tasting at Merriam Winery surrounded by organic estate vineyards. The Single Vineyard Tasting highlights the flagship wine, Windacre Vineyard Merlot. Each tasting includes five estate-grown, award-winning wines. Reservations recommended. Dog friendly. 1.5 hours. $35 per person. Single Vineyard Tasting & Winery Tour For the wine enthusiast looking to go behind the scenes, a thoughtfully guided estate vineyard and winery tour will give a greater insight into Merriam Vineyards as well as its location in the microclimate of the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley appellation. A wine ambassador will guide guests through the organic estate vineyards, winery and cellar for personalized tastings of select barrel wines. This is followed by a seated tasting of single- vineyard wines. Reservations required. Dog friendly. 2
hours. $85 per person Elevated Tasting
Discover the expressions of the old-world style of French varietals grown on estate properties in the Russian River Valley appellation. Sample a selection of single-vineyard and Eastern Hills wines. A wine ambassador will guide guests through the wines while they share the story behind the Merriam family’s long-time organic and sustainable farming practices and their hands-off approach to winemaking. The tasting will be accompanied by cheeses from local purveyors. Reservations required. Dog friendly. 1.5 hours. $65 per person *A charcuterie tray can be added to any experience. $30 for 2 guests $50 for 4.
April 2025
NorthBaybiz 57
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