Mendocino

Mendocino

Roederer Estate

Nestled into Mendocino's rolling hills and surrounded by vineyards, Roederer Estate is barely visible from the roadway. The rustic exterior may not be what one expects from the venerable House that created Cristal. Although the company could easily have built an elaborate showplace, Roederer opted instead to emphasize the natural beauty and relaxed charm of the Anderson Valley.

Inside the tasting room, visitors can sample the Roederer Estate sparkling wine, including the Magnum - there IS a difference!

Enotria

THE GRAZIANO FAMILY OF WINES HOPLAND TASTING ROOM. The tasting room is much smaller and more intimate than most found in the more commercial areas of California’s wine country, but in it are served as many as thirty premium wines under four distinct labels: Saint Gregory for Pinots, Monte Volpe for central and southern Italy and the Friuli region in the northeast, Enotria, specializing in the heritage of the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, and Graziano, which produces the heritage grapes of Mendocino, many of which are from head-pruned, Old Vine vineyards. All wines here are always open for sampling and there is never a tasting fee. In addition to an amazing array of hand-crafted artisan white, rose and red wines

Scharffenberger Cellars

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!

Greenwood Ridge Vineyards

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.


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east syracuse

Phillips Hill Estate

First visited Philips Hills' cozy cottage next to a market. They now charge a nominal $5 tasting fee to discourage people who just want to drink w/o buying anything but will waive the fee for "serious" oenophiles" (whether they buy or not). This isn't snobbery -- just a reasonable business practice.

Three Families Winery

This is a tiny wine tasting room, just next to the old School House in Hopland. You miss it in the blink of an eye and probably wouldn't see it unless you were looking for it. While the tasting room can't compare to most of the extravagantly decorated & spacious wineries we've been to, you quickly forget that as you begin to taste. This really is a three family winery, and it's so cool to hear the stories of how the families got into this business. It's clear this is their passion and it shows through their wines and in the energy of their people. Shares a tasting room with Dogwood Cellars. So they taste two labels.

Claudia Springs Winery

In the spring of 1989, Claudia and Bob Klindt were traveling through the Anderson Valley during a weekend trip. At the time, Bob, who was employed as a social worker in Santa Clara County, had already demonstrated winemaking prowess with several prizewinning homemade wines. Somewhere near the rural community of Philo, surrounded by Anderson Valley's vineyards and conifer and oak covered hills, they discovered a home and 20 acres for sale. The property was offered by Anderson Valley wine pioneer Milla Handley and included an assortment of winemaking equipment. The Klindts had dreamt of leaving the fast pace of city life, and it didn't take long for ideas to spring. By the fall of that year, the Klindts had sold their San Jose home, purchased Milla’s old property, and Claudia Springs Winery was born.

Drew Wines

Drew remains committed to small lot Pinot Noir and Syrah on California's northern far coastal edge. Including Mendocino Ridge, Anderson Valley and the Yorkville Highlands. OPEN Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat , Sun and Monday from 11 to 5pm.

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