Merry Edwards Pinot Noir
Flax Vineyard
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Phil and Toby Flax offered Merry fruit in 2004 when a new vineyard block came into production. Her friend Bob Cabral was already making a Flax vineyard designate for Williams-Selyem from an older block. Once she visited the site, overlooking Westside Road and the Russian River beyond, Merry was smitten. Neighboring properties are a Who's Who of prominent Pinot Noir producers ― good company in the Upper Reach of Russian River Valley.
From the time she made the first wines, her confidence in the potential of Flax grew steadily. The classic Pommard clone selected for planting has proved a good match for this warmer, northern end of the valley. When yet another small block became available in 2006, Merry jumped at the chance to expand her small production. In 2009, the winery took the next step and committed to a long-term lease of the property. This has led to more quality improvements as Ken and Merry have now taken over managing the vineyard to their exacting standards.
The inaugural Flax Vineyard was bottled from the 2005 vintage. Merry says, "Focused with bright, luscious cassis, plum and dark cherry, this wine clearly reflects its pure Pommard heritage. Gyot-style training keeps the crop low, giving the wine ample natural acidity, a lively lilt and silky mouthfeel."
Acres: 6.9
Exposure: East; 2-10 % slope
Soil type: Riverwash and Pajaro gravelly loam
Rootstock: 10114 and 039-16
Years planted: 2002 - 2005
Scion wood clones: Pommard 4
Vine spacing: 5 x 8 feet; vertical trellis
Appellation: Russian River Valley
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