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Stop in at any of the many friendly tasting rooms along the Highway 128 Wine Road to experience some of the finest wines of Mendocino County, along with exceptional hospitality.
Photo Courtesy of @yorkvillecellars
Fifteen serpentine miles beyond Cloverdale, lies the picturesque Yorkville Highlands appellation, home to three tasting rooms open to the public, and some by appointment. Get supplies at Yorkville Market, stocked with local wines, picnic goods, and made-to-order sandwiches. Yorkville, a tiny dot on the map, is home to Yorkville Cellars, a small family-run organic winery, and the only known winery that grows all eight main Bordeaux grapes and bottles each individually. A few miles on is Artevino/Maple Creek Winery where Tom Rodrigues grows Chardonnay, Merlot and Symphony grapes on his 180-acre ranch. The third stop in the Highlands is at Meyer Family Cellars, another family-run operation that, in addition to a wide variety of award-winning wines, offers a picnic area, bocce and childrens’ playground.
Known for its folk language, Boontling, Boonville is a great place to get out of the car and relax. On the way into town, Pennyroyal Farm and Anderson Valley Brewing Company are both worth a stop and a tour. Not only a winery tasting room with lunch options and picnic supplies, Pennyroyal produces handcrafted cheese exclusively from the farms’ goats and sheep, and tours are offered daily at 10AM and 2PM (summer hours). The Brewery is renowned for its uncommonly good beer and seasonal releases only found at the Tap Room. Founded in 2006, Foursight Wines’ goal is to produce 100% estate wines in the French monopole model, with grapes sourced only from their own Charles Vineyard.
A short distance away is the historic Live Oak Building that Maryetta Wines calls home. Their organic Pinot Noir wines are sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the Anderson Valley AVA. Make a beeline for Bee Hunter Wine, which shares the Live Oak building tasting room. Sourcing grapes from “secret garden” vineyards, Bee Hunter produces a variety of reds, whites, and a rosé. The only 100% wind and solar powered winery in the county, Philo Ridge Vineyards maintains a tasting room in downtown Boonville, just a stroll away from restaurants and shops.
Photo Courtesy of The GroveTim Matheson
Half-way between Boonville and Philo is the 203-acre Lichen Estate, which produces exquisite still and sparkling wines including Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, and a unique blend that will stump your wine aficionado friends!
Philo is at the heart of Anderson Valley, and the surrounding area is chock-a-block with tasting rooms with wines that will appeal to every palate. On the way in to Philo, the first stop is Goldeneye Winery, specializing in Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs – a spectacular place to taste with its views of Confluence Vineyard. Just across the highway is Domaine Anderson. Owned by the family that stewards the Roederer brand, this 50 acres of family-owned vineyards is dedicated exclusively to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Make a stop at The Madrones, a Mediterranean-style compound of three tasting rooms, guest quarters, and other amenities. Drew Wines, a small production family winery, consistently wins accolades and is committed to Pinot Noir and Syrah from Mendocino Ridge, Anderson Valley and the Yorkville Highlands. Newcomers to the valley are the husband and wife team of Ali Smith and Eric Story who have just opened the doors to their tasting room at Smith Story Wine Cellars. The latest tasting room to open at The Madrones is Long Meadow Ranch, whose Anderson Valley Estate has 69 acres planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. A natural marine layer blankets the vineyards and creates terroir ideal for Burgundian varietals to reach their peak of their character.
Photo Courtesy of @vinoforbreakfast
Head into the heart of Philo and you’ll find Baxter Winery where father and son partners produce single vineyard wines from the Anderson Valley and surrounding Mendocino appellations. Known primarily for their Pinot Noir, the pair produce wines naturally, applying instinct and old-world techniques. Witching Stick Wines specializes in unique vineyards and refreshing, food-friendly wines with minerality and crispness. Stop in at Scharffenberger Cellars to sample their lovely bubbly and view displays of local art, and call ahead to arrange a porch or garden picnic. On your way out of Philo, turn right at the sign of the goose and visit Toulouse Vineyards where Vern and Maxine Boltz grow Pinot Noir and produce a range of wines from Anderson Valley grapes.
Brutocao Cellars is the next stop on the Wine Road, combining Italian heritage with northern California agriculture to produce award-winning wines that pair well with food and friends! Navarro Vineyards has been growing grapes, making wine and producing non-alcoholic grape juices since 1974. You won’t find their wines at your local grocery store, so stop and pick up some vino to go! With a tasting room built from a single redwood tree, Greenwood Ridge Vineyards has been producing small lot wines since 1980. New to the party is Twomey whose facility has 38 acres of Pinot Noir vineyard.
The oldest winery in Anderson Valley, Husch Vineyards is located in a converted 1800s pony barn. Husch wines showcase the fruit in each bottle with a commitment to quality and value. Roederer Estate Brut is the first California sparkling wine to be produced by Champagne Louis Roederer, building on a 200-year tradition of fine winemaking. Handley Cellars is a small family-owned winery bonded in 1982. Taste a wide selection of wines in the folk art-inspired tasting room, or sit in the shaded sculpture garden. Lula Cellars, the last tasting room in the valley, produces limited amounts of handcrafted Mendocino Coast wines, including Pinot Noir and Dry Rosato. Sit and admire the view while having a picnic at the tasting room.
Enjoy the Wine Road and remember to drink responsibly.
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