Merriam Vineyards Achieves Fish Friendly Farming Certification, Advancing Watershed Conservation Efforts

Merriam Vineyards Achieves Fish Friendly Farming Certification,
Advancing Watershed Conservation Efforts

Winery Demonstrates Commitment to Ecological Stewardship
in California's Russian River AVA

December 2024 -- Healdsburg, CA Merriam Vineyards has earned the prestigious Fish Friendly Farming (FFF) certification for its Eastside Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA, marking a significant milestone in the winery's ongoing commitment to sustainable and organic agricultural practices. This certification recognizes the vineyard's comprehensive approach to environmental preservation, with a specific focus on protecting critical fish habitats and improving water quality in the Russian River watershed.

Winemaker William Weese notes the certification aligns perfectly with the winery's holistic approach to viticulture. "Our commitment to sustainable practices goes beyond the vineyard," Weese explains. "The Fish Friendly Farming certification validates our efforts to manage our estate in a way that protects and enhances the delicate ecosystem surrounding our vineyards, particularly the habitats of steelhead trout and coho salmon."

The certification, administered by the California Land Stewardship Institute, involves a rigorous process of site-specific farm planning and compliance with stringent environmental standards. For Merriam Vineyards, this means implementing comprehensive strategies for erosion control, soil conservation, and water quality improvement at the Eastside Estate Vineyard.  The specific waterway on the property is the Mark West Creek, a tributary of the Russian River. 

Estate Manager Evan Merriam emphasizes the natural progression of this achievement. "We've always viewed our vineyard as part of a larger ecosystem," he says. "This certification is a natural extension of our existing sustainable practices, from our CCOF organic certification to our innovative use of Babydoll sheep for natural vineyard management."

The FFF certification builds upon Merriam Vineyards' existing environmental initiatives, including the recent landscape redesign with Munden Fry Landscape Associates that prioritizes ecological harmony. The winery's approach demonstrates how agricultural operations can coexist with—and actively support—local wildlife habitats.

Peter Merriam, an avid fly fisherman raised in Maine with a deeply ingrained conservationist philosophy, reflects on the broader significance of the certification: "Growing up in Maine, I learned early about the delicate balance between human activity and natural ecosystems. My passion for fly fishing and organic gardening taught me to respect and protect waterways, a philosophy that now extends directly to how we manage our vineyards. Our work goes beyond producing exceptional wines. We're stewards of this land, committed to preserving its natural beauty and ecological integrity for future generations."

With this certification, Merriam Vineyards is joining a select group of agricultural operations recognized for their environmental leadership. With over 200,000 acres certified statewide, the Fish Friendly Farming program represents a critical initiative in sustainable California agriculture.

About Fish Friendly Farming

The Fish Friendly Farming certification is a sustainable program designed to restore fish and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and promote environmentally responsible agricultural practices. Administered by the California Land Stewardship Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the program provides farmers with detailed guidance on ecological preservation while maintaining agricultural productivity.

About Merriam Vineyards

Established in 2000 in Sonoma, CA's Russian River AVA by husband-and-wife Peter and Diana Merriam, Merriam Vineyards specializes in Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties and was born from the couple's love of Old-World wines and extensive European travels. Recognizing the immense potential for producing distinctive single-vineyard wines in Sonoma, the Merriam's acquired what would become known as the Windacre Vineyard in 2000, adding Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec plantings beyond its existing Merlot vines and establishing the quality of Bordeaux varieties in a region primarily known for cool-climate wines. The couple expanded its estate into Burgundian varieties with the acquisition of its Los Amigos property in 2009 and in 2022, purchased the hillside Eastside Estate, with a focus on core col-climate Pinot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The winery's rigorous, decades-long commitment to sustainable viticulture and production resulted in the prestigious CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certification for its Los Amigos estate (2012) and winery (2023), as well as CCSW (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing) certification for its Windacre property and Sonoma Sustainable for its Eastside Estate. Son Evan Merriam represents the Merriam's next generation as estate manager.

For more information about Merriam Vineyards' Fish Friendly Farming certification, visit www.merriamvineyards.com or for interviews, images or more information, contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescom.com or 415-701-9463.