Carole Meredith

Carole P. Meredith
Occupation(s)	Grape geneticist, professor, winemaker
Years active	–2003 (academic career)
Known for	DNA typing of Vitis vinifera cultivars; discovery of parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel; confirmation of grape identities

Carole P. Meredith is a distinguished American grape geneticist who served as a professor at the University of California, Davis's Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Career

Prior to her retirement in 2003, Meredith led groundbreaking efforts utilizing DNA typing to distinguish among Vitis vinifera grape cultivars and trace their genetic heritage, shedding light on their historical backgrounds. In 1996, her work successfully revealed the parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, representing the inaugural use of such molecular methods. Further investigations by her team unraveled the genetic origins of Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. They also confirmed that Zinfandel, Primitivo, and Crljenak Kaštelanski are genetically identical varieties. Moreover, the research identified that both Charbono and Corbeau correspond to the same grape type.

Meredith's significant achievements in grape genetics were honored in 2009 when she was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame.

Winemaking

Relocating to Napa Valley in 1986, Meredith commuted to UC Davis while her husband, Steve Lagier, was employed at Robert Mondavi Winery. Following her academic retirement in 2003, the couple cultivated a 4-acre vineyard in Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder AVA, planting Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, and Mondeuse grapes under the Lagier-Meredith brand. The initial plantings date back to 1994. By 2022, winemaker Aaron Pott took charge of the Lagier Meredith Vineyard operations and also crafts wines under his own Pott Wine label.