1933

The winery was built by Jack Riorda and a group of partners. Initially called Sunnyhill Winery, it was rechristened to Sunny St. Helena Winery a short time later.

1937

Ceasare Mondavi father of Peter and Robert became a partner with Mr. Riorda. Peter and Robert Mondavi had their first winemaking experiences at Sunny St. Helena. In fact, it was here that they both experimented with cold fermentation for the first time. During this period, the winery produced one million gallons per year of bulk wine that was shipped east in rail cars for bottling by distributors.

1946

The winery was sold to a small cooperative of Napa Valley growers and it functioned as a co-op for five years before being purchased by Charles Forni, a notable Napa Valley vintner of the time. The winery appears to have continued to operate as a cooperative at this time.

1972

Carlo Forni sold Sunny St. Helena to Mont La Salle Vineyards (The Christian Brothers). The Christian Brothers used the facility for storage and wine aging, not making wine here during that time.

1983

The first Red Table Wine labeled as Merryvale was produced at a custom crush facility in Calistoga.

1986

The Sunny St. Helena facility was purchased by Bill Harlan and partners.

1988

After restoring the winery to full operation, Harlan and partners opened the winery as Sunny St. Helena in 1988.

1991

Jack Schlatter became a partner, opening export markets throughout Europe and Asia for the Merryvale brand.

Sunny St. Helena changed its name to Merryvale Vineyards.

1996

In 1996 Jack and his family became the sole owners of Merryvale Vineyards.

1997

The Profile Estate Vineyard was developed under the direction of Michel Rolland and then winemaker Bob Levy; planted and farmed by David Abreu Vineyard Management for the following ten years. Located east of St. Helena the site features 25 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

2007

The Merryvale Vineyards winery building was renovated to become a luxury-class facility with small temperature controlled fermentors, intensive sorting equipment, a basket press, a cold room and other resources to produce great wine.

2008

René Schlatter, who had joined company in 1995, became Proprietor & CEO.