Nicole Carter named president of Merry Edwards Winery

Having bought Merry Edwards Winery in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley in February, Champagne house Louis Roederer has appointed Nicole Carter as its president.

Nicole Carter is the new president of Merry Edwards Winery

Taking up the role today, Carter will be responsible for all business activities at the estate and will work closely with head winemaker, Heidi von der Mehden.

Carter was previously chief marketing officer and director of winemaking for Hess Family Wine Estates, where she was in charge of global marketing initiatives, new product development and winemaking across the Californian and Argentine brands in its portfolio, including Colomé in Argentina’s Calchaquí Valley.

Prior to that Carter spent two decades at Treasury Wine Estates working in various executive management roles including team leadership of luxury marketing, exports, distributor management, public relations, events and hospitality.

Before Treasury, she was director of communications for the California Coastal Commission. When not working in the world of wine Carter enjoys open water swimming and has completed several crossings from Alcatraz to San Francisco.

“I am thrilled to welcome Nicole to Merry Edwards. Her record in driving successful sales and marketing efforts, direct-to-consumer strategy and implementation, combined with her experience in profitably building luxury brands will be an invaluable asset as Louis Roederer embarks on this new journey in Sonoma County.

“I am confident Merry Edwards’ legacy will be in good hands,” said Gregory Balogh, CEO of Louis Roederer’s American subsidiaries.

Carter added: “It will be my great honor to continue the legacy that Merry and Ken have built as benchmark producers of Pinot Noir in Sonoma County and with the support of Louis Roederer – we have a tremendous future ahead.

“My wine career started 25 years ago in Sonoma County and it is a welcomed homecoming to return as the steward of such an amazing winery.”

Merry Edwards was founded in 1997 by Merry and Ken Edwards with a focus on producing Pinot Noirs, Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays with a sense of place from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast in California.

Since 1990 Louis Roederer has strategically acquired family-owned wineries that share its ethos, including Ramos Pinto, Champagne Deutz, Delas Frères, Château de Pez, Domaines Ott and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.