Heidi von der Mehden, winemaker for Merry Edwards Winery, calls Santa Rosa her hometown.
After leaving for college and the Peace Corps, she came back to Sonoma County in 2000 and began her career in wine, steadily advancing through Kenwood Vineyards, Mauritson Winery and Arrowood Winery. At Arrowood, she took over as winemaker following Richard Arrowood’s departure.
In 2015, Merry Edwards brought von der Mehden on as associate winemaker. Over the next several years, the two worked side by side. And as the 2018 harvest got underway, Edwards announced that von der Mehden would take the reins as winemaker, making her the second person in the winery’s history to hold the title.
Amber Turpin: How did you get into this work?
Heidi von der Mehden: I grew up in Santa Rosa right in the middle of Wine Country, so wine was always part of the landscape around me. After earning a degree in chemistry at Santa Clara University, I spent time in the Peace Corps teaching chemistry in Tanzania.
When I came back home, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. My father suggested putting my science background to work in the wine business, so I gave it a try and quickly fell in love with it. Being able to do that in Sonoma County, where I grew up, makes it especially meaningful.
Did you ever have an ‘aha’ moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
I don’t think I ever had one singular ‘aha’ moment. Instead, I’ve had many small moments over the years that have helped me feel grounded and confident in my profession. Seeing how a wine evolves over time reminds me how much there is to learn… There’s always another vintage or vineyard that can teach you something.
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
My beverage choice always depends on the weather and what I’m eating. I love our sauvignon blanc with fresh Dungeness crab, and sparkling wine with raw oysters is hard to beat. When the weather turns cold, I lean toward fuller-bodied red wines like a Moon Mountain Cab or Merry Edwards Pinot Noir.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
I’m a working mom with two elementary-school-age boys, so going out for drinks usually means going to a friend’s or family member’s house. Some of my favorite wine experiences happen that way, around a kitchen table, with good food and conversation. My brother is also in the wine industry—he’s an accountant—so there’s usually a good bottle of wine to share when our family gets together.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Champagne. I love the freshness and elegance.
Merry Edwards Winery, 2959 Hwy. 116 N., Sebastopol, 707.823.7466, merryedwards.com.
