Winemaker Notes
Heron focuses on California's most respected appellations to craft balanced, fresh wines that are both expressive and easy to enjoy. Inspired by the strength and determination of its namesake bird, the brand was founded by Laely Heron, one of the pioneers of female-owned and produced wine brands in California.
Heron wines are never made to a formula. Each vintage begins with a thoughtful search for the best grapes across California's top growing regions, resulting in wines that consistently highlight finesse, freshness, and balance. Year after year, Heron has earned "Best Buy" recognition from Wine Enthusiast, a testament to its outstanding quality and value—and its ability to stand out alongside much larger wine brands.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.