Winemaker
René Schlatter
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
i. Biography
In Napa Valley wine, place is not backdrop; it is structure. At Merryvale Family of Wines in St. Helena, René Schlatter’s work sits on that premise: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, handled as the core register of the house, with blends and dessert wine occupying their own disciplined place in the lineup. The identity is carried through the bottle names, and the business reads as a long-term exercise in continuity rather than display.
Coming Up
Training at Trinity University and Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management gave René Schlatter the business frame before he entered the textile industry in Berlin, Germany (1991–1994). That early work sits far from wine, but it marks the start of a career built around operations, markets, and the practical demands of running a house over time. Since 2008, he has served as president and CEO of Merryvale Vineyards, while also holding the role of proprietor & CEO of Merryvale Family of Wines.
Where They Are Now
The present work is centered in St. Helena, where René Schlatter is Proprietor & CEO of Merryvale Family of Wines and Merryvale Vineyards is listed with him as CEO in 2008. The same address and the same family name frame the position: a wine estate managed as an ongoing enterprise, with consistency across vintages, labels, and the market’s expectations. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay define the working brief. Those two grapes set the range of the house — Cabernet carrying the darker, firmer side of the portfolio, Chardonnay the more direct and linear one. For a trade reader, that is enough to locate the style of the operation without adding ornament. Named wines map the portfolio in public view. In 2017, Profile — Merryvale's Signature Bordeaux Blend — was associated with Merryvale Vineyards in Taos Ski Valley, and Merryvale Antigua appeared as the dessert wine served at the dinner, also tied to Taos Ski Valley. In 2025, The Debate was associated with Merryvale Vineyards in St. Taken together, those references keep the focus on the house’s named bottlings and the way place remains visible across the list. Helena.
Signature
René's signature wines include Profile, Merryvale Antigua, and The Debate.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of René
What is René Schlatter's current role?
As of 2026, René Schlatter is Proprietor & CEO.
Where did René Schlatter train or study?
René Schlatter trained at Trinity University and Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management.
What recognition has René Schlatter received?
Person of the Year, Annual Wine Star Awards.
