Winemaker Notes
Coopersmith vineyard exemplifies the characteristics created by the classic Gold Ridge soil that Russian River Valley is so famous for. The early miners in California would be astounded to find that there’s another type of gold in “them thar hills”! The deep sandy soil has fine drainage qualities, allowing us to control vine hydration. This important quality helps form the rich color and tannins in grapes grown in our appellation. The wine’s aroma displays the enduring savory profile of this vineyard right up front -- dark chocolate, cocoa powder, milk chocolate and mocha. Rainbow peppercorns, caramel, licorice and sarsaparilla add intriguing elements. Rich, fresh blueberry fruit, syrup and jam are dominant, augmented by ripe Bing cherry, fig, blackberry and boysenberry. The palate shows a berry-filled, supple and sleek entry with spice, toasty oak and coffee. Approachable tannins elevate the midpalate, while the finish is elongated and highlighted with fig, vanilla and brown spices. This generous Pinot has a history of aging beautifully, so cellaring is highly recommended. An original recipe for Creamy Blue Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Red Peppers was created by Linda Oertel, one of our longtime tasting room hosts. The mild creamy blue cheese and caramelized feature of the dish are a classic pairing with the ripe, dark fruit flavors of our Coopersmith Pinot Noir. Linda wins a signed magnum of wine for her outstanding entry!
Merry Edwards Winery was founded in 1997 and produces critically acclaimed terroir-driven Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blanc using site-specific viticulture in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Over two decades, Merry assembled a stellar collection of vineyards and with her meticulous attention to detail crafted Pinot Noirs of immense depth, elegant structure and exceptional longevity. Her Sauvignon Blanc is among the most sought after in the world.
Now a Certified California Sustainable Winery, the brand entered a new chapter after Merry’s retirement. Merry’s handpicked successor, Winemaker Heidi von der Mehden, and Winery President Nicole Carter have taken up exactly where Merry left off and will continue to make wines treasured by legions of Merry Edwards’ fans well into the future.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.