We arrived on a sunny May day and it was easily over 90 degrees. We stopped by Navarro and I have to say - the grounds were gorgeous! There was a bench with a picnic table for those who wanted to lunch and wine. It overlooked gorgeous green lushy grass on a hill. The tasting room was very cozy and small but definitely very welcoming. Our pourer was friendly and gave us a great restaurant recommendation.
Milano Family Winery specializes in some of the more unknown varietals such as Carignane, Charbono and Valdiguie as well as the more known Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Merlot. Housed in an former hop kiln this quaint tasting room is just off highway 101 just south of Hopland. I was quite impressed with the tasting room staff and the genuine feeling that you get when you first enter the room. The wine itself isn't earth shattering, but it's decent quality enough to keep most visitors interested.
Nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains of southeastern Mendocino County, McDowell Valley Vineyards was established in 1970. This vineyard has one of the longest records of continuous wine grape production in California. Syrah and Grenache have been planted on this soil for almost a century, when the Buckman Family made a perfect match in planting Syrah and Grenache vines in the McDowell Valley. It is because of this rich history and distinct growing conditions that in 1982 McDowell Valley obtained one of the earliest BATF viticultural appellations. Today, of the 330 acres of grapes planted in the 500 acre valley, nearly a third are dedicated to Rhône varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier.
Goldeneye Winery was founded in 1996, years before the Pinot Noir boom that has reshaped the landscape of California winemaking. But the genesis for Goldeneye goes back even further. In 1990, after fifteen years of making world-class Bordeaux-varietal wines, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn embraced their growing love of Pinot Noir. Their vision for Goldeneye was simple, though not easy. They wanted to found a winery that could make a terroir-inspired expression of California Pinot Noir of equal stature to the acclaimed Merlots they had pioneered at Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley
Since 1982, Duncan Peak Vineyards has specialized in growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah grapes and producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah wines in this estate grown and produced wine property known as Duncan Ranch, at the base of Duncan Peak on the edge of the Sanel Valley near Hopland, California. The grapes are grown with as many sustainable and organic farming techniques as possible.
The Greenwood winery tasting room is definitely a head turner. This is one of those drink wineries that are beautifully crafted building designed by the owner/winemakers' father. The setting is so gorgeous, you'll wish they had lodging accommodations, Wow! and you haven't even stepped a foot inside. The tasting here is free though small. We tried about 5 wines (2 desserts) and ended up buying two bottles: a sauvignon blanc and merlot (double gold winner). Their bottles are beautifully designed with dragons as well as their wine glasses.
This is a wonderful spot to taste in Mendocino! It's located in a charming house with a pleasant yard, and plenty of room to picnic. The hostess was charming. Organic apple juice and friendly conversation were also offered to the four year old in our tasting party, so kudos to them for that! The sparkling wines were delicious.The tasting scene in Mendocino is less money obssessed than some other areas. Scharffenberger is no exception. A fee wasn't mentioned for our flights, though there may have been one. Feeling as though one is a valued guest, rather than a dollar sign, definitely makes a person more likely to buy at a winery. We left with wine and a comp for a tasting at their sister winery, Roederer Estates, a sucessful visit, in my book!
Husch Vineyards is a small, family owned and operated winery. It is the oldest winery in the Anderson Valley appellation, located in Mendocino County (Northern California) just 2 1/2 hours north of San Francisco. The tasting room is in a hobbit cottage straight out of the Shire. Worth stopping just to see it. People were friendly. The wines were very earthy and herby, almost gamey. Definitely distinctive. The tasting is free, which is rare even in Anderson Valley, so you have nothing to lose but a little bit of time and room in your stomach for something else.
