Merry Edwards - My First Visit

WINE TALK
1

It’s no secret that I’ve been a proponent of Merry Edward’s wines but I had never actually been to the winery until this last weekend when I went to pick up the '07 Sauvignon Blanc.

The new winery, right off of Highway 116 in Sebastopol, situated in the middle of the Coopersmith Vineyard looks rather large when you first pull up. It’s not what I expected when I first drove up. Once in the parking lot you realize that the majority of the winery is their production facility and the offices and tasting rooms are actually vary subdued.

I was met at the door by Leslie (Ken’s Daughter) and Ben (Merry’s Son). Immediately to the left are the private tasting tables behind glass walls and doors. We chatted a bit about the 96 score and how the demand had them all running around like crazy the last couple of days. Then Ben asked if we wanted a tour. Uh, HECK YA!

Ben took us back into the fermenting room where the shiny stainless tanks line both sides. We chatted about cold soaking and his future with the company. His eyes light up like mine do when talking about wine and I get the feeling he could have stayed hours chatting about Pinot with me.

Then we went back into the barrel room where and dicsussed oak treatment and new French barrels. My mother-in-law was with us and Ben took the time to explain a lot to her. I’ve been in countless barrel rooms but she had never been on a tour like that and I could tell it was special to her. Ben proceeded to tell us about a special bottling coming out soon (Angels Wing, I think) for Merry’s son who passed away in '06.

After we were done and walked back into office Ken Coopersmith walked in and started talking to Leslie. Leslie immediately turned and introduced us. Ken and I had done business together in the past but never formally met. Ken’s obvious lover for life is infectious. I think he smiled the whole time we were there.

We were wrapping up and grabbing the Sauv. Blanc when Merry walks around the corner holding a little tool chest and looking like it’s time to get to work. I introduced myself and told her how much I loved her Pinot.

Merry Edwards has always been a must buy for me and meeting the family allows me to enjoy their wine even more knowing it’s made by great people.

2

quit sucking up. They sold you the wine.

3

Be quiet Senor Fluffer.

4

Aren’t you supposed to be in front of a judge somewhere?

5

I also stopped by this place but the guy was a complete A-Hole.

6

No shit, you too?

7

Oh ya…I arrived and this is all I saw [1928_middle_finger.gif]

8

Bullshit. I was all over your mother in law. She is hot.

9

Try again Posner- if you recall I cancelled on your sorry ass. Next time I’ll make the appointment and live up to (or down to) this billing…

10

I already destroyed their case.
Then I burned the plaintiff’s house down and sent his wife and children out onto the cold wet prarie.
Now I’m getting a couple pipe-hittin thugs with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch to get medevial on him.

People say I’m unpleasant to litigate against- I just don’t understand.

11

Holdredge is prepared to scour the earth for the MF…he want a homey in a bowl of rice in Indochina.

12

“what” ain’t no country I ever heard of…

13

That’s just wrong. [shock.gif]

14

I should have said “I fawned all over your mother in law”. Which I did. Any inference of improper conduct involving her was not intended.

15

I meant the saying she is hot part…that’s just WRONG! [haha.gif]

16

17

IIRC, I said that to her in front of you and your wife.

18

You did…but I couldn’t say that then or I would have been slapped and IYRC, my wife was letting me buy a case so I was just smiling and nodding.

19

Merry and Ken are two of the nicest people I have met. I sat with them at the Pinot Fest Dinner this year and they could not have treated us any better. Ken is funny as hell.

20

I sat with them many years ago at the Master’s of Food & Wine and, yes, Ken is one funny guy.

John