1970

• BS degree in Physiology from UC Berkeley

1973

• MA degree in Food Science with an emphasis in Enology from UC Davis

1974-77

• Winemaker at Mount Eden Vineyards

1977

• Traveled to France and explored grape clone research at University of Beaune
• Moved to Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

1977-84

• Founding Winemaker at Matanzas Creek Winery

1981

• Purchased property in Russian River Valley for family winery

1984

• Built Merry Vintners Winery ― focused on Chardonnay
• Began her winemaking consulting business

1985

• Taught the first grape clonal seminar at UC Davis

1989-91

• Vice president and winemaker at Laurier Winery

1996

• Purchased 24-acre future site of Meredith Estate vineyard

1997

• Met future husband, Ken Coopersmith, on Grand Canyon rafting trip
• Co-founded Meredith Vineyard Estate and produced the first vintage of Merry Edwards Pinot Noir

1998

• Ken and Merry wed
• Planted Meredith Estate vineyard

1999

• Released 1997 vintage, first Merry Edwards Pinot Noir
• With her husband, Ken, purchased 9.5-acre future site of Coopersmith vineyard and Merry Edwards Winery, in central Russian River Valley

2001

2002

• Planted Coopersmith Estate vineyard, named for husband Ken
• Produced first vintage of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

• Released first vintage of 2001 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

2004

• Winemaker of the Year, San Francisco Chronicle
• Named one of "The 50 Most Influential Winemakers in the World" by Wine and Spirits Magazine

2005

• Named "One of America's Top Fifty Most Influential Winemakers" by Forbes
• Named a Pioneer Woman Winemaker by the National Women’s History Project
• Wine & Spirits Magazine named Pinot Noir #1 Most Popular in 16th Annual Restaurant Poll

2006

• Secured 30-year land lease and planted Georganne vineyard
• Broke ground for Merry Edwards Winery at Coopersmith vineyard
• 2003 Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir is named #21 in Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines of 2006"
• Olivet Lane Pinot Noir and 2005 Sauvignon Blanc named one of the "Top 100 Wines of 2006" in San Francisco Chronicle
• Merry Edwards named one of "The Magnificent 30" in Wine Spectator's California Pinot Noir Issue

2007

• 2005 Sauvignon Blanc named #40 in Wine Spectator's “Top 100 Wines of 2007”
• Wine & Spirits Magazine named Pinot Noir #1 Most Popular in 18th Annual Restaurant Poll
• Merry Edwards Winery opens in Sebastopol, CA

2008

• 2006 Sauvignon Blanc named #37 in Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines of 2008"
• Secured 20-year lease of Sanchietti vineyard

2009

• Secured 10-year lease of Flax vineyard

Triple "Top 100 Wines of 2009":

• 2007 Sauvignon Blanc named #9 (#1 white wine) in Wine Spectator
• 2006 Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir named #28 in Wine Enthusiast Magazine
• 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir in San Francisco Chronicle

• Wine & Spirits Magazine named Pinot Noir #1 Most Popular in 20th Annual Restaurant Poll 

• Wine & Spirits Magazine named Pinot Noir #3 Most Popular in 21st Annual Restaurant Poll and #26 of the top 50 best-selling wines in America's top restaurants

2011

2012

• Wine & Spirits Magazine named Pinot Noir #1 Most Popular in 22nd Annual Restaurant Poll, as well as #9 Sauvignon Blanc and #9 of the top 50 best-selling wines in America's top restaurants
• Named a finalist in the James Beard Foundation's annual awards for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, her fourth consecutive nomination.
• Wine Spectator names 2009 Sauvignon Blanc #28 wine in Top 100 Wines of 2011.

• Tapped to be inducted into Culinary Institute of America's Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013.
• Wine Enthusiast named 2009 Klopp Ranch  #5 on its "Top 100 Wines for 2012" after giving the vintage 98 points.
• Named a finalist in the James Beard Foundation's annual awards for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, her fifth consecutive nomination.
• Wine Spectator named 2010 Sauvignon Blanc #1 SB for the sixth consecutive year, with scores of 92 or above all six years.

Affiliations:

• American Society of Enology and Viticulture
• Sonoma County Grape Growers
• Russian River Valley Winegrowers: Past president and member of the Executive Board