Our View from the Edge

Meaningful and long-term relationships with growers give Merriam Vineyards latitude. By partnering with growers throughout Sonoma County, the Merriams are able to select the best vineyard sites to complement their estate grapes. During the growing season, Peter and Winemaker David Herzberg work closely with growers in determining crop load and to fine-tune other essential viticultural practices that ultimately translate into the highest quality wines. “We loved the way the vineyards in France were farmed, where one hectare was shared between five different producers, all of whom cultivated their own rows,” Diana says. This memory has served as the model for their relationship with local growers.

Passalacqua Vineyard Block 21, Dry Creek Valley
Steep, rocky, and with light volcanic soil, the 100-acre Passalacqua Vineyard is meticulously maintained. The south-facing Block 21 vineyard produces wine with classic cabernet sauvignon character. It is a late-ripening vineyard due to cold nights and its high elevation, and is carefully managed to give ample hang time.

Dunnsden Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Dunnsden Vineyard is located on Los Amigos Road in Healdsburg, California, not far from our Windacre Vineyard. Dunnsden Vineyard is a steep, gravelly hillside vineyard located in the famed Russian River Valley. The top portion is very well drained. The soil is composed mostly of rough and gnarly rock. Steep hillside exposture allows for a long, hot growing season.

Jones Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Located in the upper reaches of Dry Creek Valley, Jones Vineyard produces rich, broad-on-the-palate wines with plumy, jammy fruit character. The cabernet franc vines are older, and the yield is low to concentrate fruit flavors in this very vigorous variety.

Simoneau Vineyard, Alexander Valley
Tom and Brenda Simoneau’s vineyard is characterized by well-drained and thinner soils than most properties in the Alexander Valley. This vineyard is familiar to Winemaker Margaret Davenport who worked with this fruit for many years as winemaker for Clos du Bois. Most of the chardonnay vines are 20 to 25 years old, with five different clones planted. The chardonnay expresses the best of Alexander Valley: tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and peach.

Smith/Reichel Block 8 Vineyard
This 20 acre south-facing vineyard is located northeast of Cloverdale in the Alexander Valley Appelations from 2,300 - 2,500 foot elevation. Pine Mountain is the northern-most section of Alexander Valley and overlooks the famed valley floor.