Mendocino Wine and Travel App

The Mendocino Wine and Travel App showcases the best wineries, wine bars and the latest events of Mendocino County, California.

Mendocino County offers world-class regions producing a wide range of wines, and as a bonus has retained its low-key, rurally friendly vibe. Many small wineries are open to the public and you won’t find lines or traffic. Think family owned, grass roots. Legacy vineyards from Mendocino’s immigrant past give the region its identity as a home to Zinfandel and Mediterranean reds, including Syrah, Petite Sirah and Carignane, as well as Grenache.

From Pinot Noirs which thrive in its cooler, fog-blanketed valleys, to warmer inland regions where heartier varietals flourish, Mendocino County’s 10 American Viticultural Areas and wide range of soils make for a full menu of homegrown varietals. Mendocino County is also a world leader in organic grapes. There are 17,000 acres of vineyards in the County, with 25% of them growing certified organic grapes.

Exploring Mendocino County is never hectic. More than twice the size of Sonoma County, and nearly five times larger than Napa County, Mendocino County is a collection of meandering country roads stretching from inland valleys all the way through redwoods to the Mendocino Coast. This abundance of natural beauty and untouched open space have earned it the moniker of America’s Greenest Wine Region.™

Anderson Valley
State Route 128 takes you on a true country drive west of Highway 101 to Anderson Valley. This off-the-grid but well-recognized region is a cool, fog-fed valley whose climate plays to its varietal strengths. Anderson Valley is home to some of America’s most sought-after Alsatian whites such as Gewurtztraminer, as well as its Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley now ranks with the top Pinot Noir regions in North America. It also uses these same varietals to make outstanding sparkling wines.
 While production is not huge, quality is soaring, as rising-star winemakers join homegrown stalwarts in producing sleek, powerful wines.

As a bonus the town of Boonville offers a taste of local flair, from annual fairs and events to local grown fruitstand bounty.

The Yorkville Highlands region is similar to its neighboring Anderson Valley. Yorkville Highlands rocky soils result is low-vigor vines yielding concentrated fruit. The moderate temperatures of the area are suitable for Sauvignon Blanc, but also show great promise for Bordeaux reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Central and Southern Mendocino County
It is near and along the spine of Highway 101 that you can access many Mendocino wineries open to the public. North of Ukiah, Redwood Valley and Potter Valley have come into their own in recent years. The earliest vineyards in Mendocino County were planted in Redwood Valley among the ancient redwoods by Italian immigrants. The climate here is cooler than surrounding appellations due to a gap in the coastal ridge which allow for cool Pacific air currents. These conditions lead to a gradual ripening of fruit that makes Redwood Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Barbera and Petite Sirah refined and complex. 

With a slightly higher elevation, great day-night temperature variations distinguish Potter Valley from nearby regions. Under such conditions, varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir flourish, developing strong but refined character.

Ukiah, the county seat of Mendocino, retains the feeling of a small agrarian California town and offers great dining and events for visitors. The Russian River flows through Ukiah Valley, and the fertile flood plain of the river is flanked by miles of benchland. The two topographies create a superb growing region similar to France’s Medoc.

Continuing south, Hopland is conveniently home to many off-site tasting rooms and eateries, including wineries located in the Sanel Valley. Gravelly soils here produce outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.