Micro-Trip: Hopland to Willits
35 Miles
2 or 3 Nights
Photo Courtesy of @postpoetpop
Rustic-chic
Perched along Highway 101 at the gateway to Mendocino County, Hopland (pop. 921) is undergoing an impressive renaissance with new lodging, wine tasting venues and a rustic-chic vibe casual travelers will appreciate. Check into the new Thatcher Hotel, a classic restored Victorian (1890) sporting 18 sleek guest rooms set in a modern palette. As the sun sizzles, the signature bar and alfresco dining around the pool set the stage. This is a laid-back zone with plenty of wine venues. Start the afternoon at the 40-acre Terra Sávia for a tasting of estate wines, tour of the olive mill factory or picnic on the deck.
Photo Courtesy of @campovida
Gorgeous gardens, world-class wines
For gorgeous gardens and a swirl of world-class wines, Campovida is the stop to experience a “Taste of Place” or “Garden Tasting” in the elegantly manicured six-acre grounds. Hit up The Golden Pig for dinner to go, showcasing a vibrant locally-sourced menu from the owners’ Heart Arrow Ranch, Magruder Ranch and Lovers Lane Farms. Also on site, Sip Mendocino features 100+ local wines. Don’t forget to stop by Graziano Family of Wines, which produces heritage grapes of Mendocino, many of which are from head-pruned, Old Vine vineyards that produce consistently full-bodied, and finely balanced wines. Down the street, Brutocao Cellars combines Italian heritage and northern California agriculture to produce award-winning wines that pair well with food and friends!
Great Pinot Sipping
The ultimate GPS – Great Pinot Sipping – starts along the 15-mile stretch between Hopland to Ukiah. Here, pavement fades to green as vineyards kiss the redwoods and time truly slows. Key stops include the expansive 180-acre Jeriko Estate and Saracina Vineyards featuring a state-of-the-art cave system carved out of solid rock. This is a good time to dive into Mendocino AVA zinfandels including Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery’s alembic brandy and award-winning Mae’s Block Zin served in an historic 1880s farmhouse. Top off the tour at RIVINO Winery, offering a stunning alfresco tasting venue perched over the vineyards.
Photo Courtesy of @ukiahbrewingco
Switch gears to Ales
Continue on to Ukiah (Haiku backwards) and switch gears to the dark side: Ales. Pull up a stool at the nation’s first certified organic brewpub, Ukiah Brewing Company & Restaurant, for a selection of 20+ ales and lagers, all brewed with organic barley and hops. Finish the day with a cache of culture at Grace Hudson Museum for a personal tour of the Sun House, a stunning 1911 craftsman bungalow offering an inside look into the lifestyle of artist Grace Carpenter Hudson (free with museum admission). A variety of dining choices abound, from the upscale Patrona or the new Left Coast Seafood to nearby Cultivo, and Oco Time for sublime tempura.
Photo Courtesy of @dv0707
Champagne mineral baths
As night arrives, slip into a soak at California Landmark No. 980 – better known as the champagne mineral baths. A favorite haunt of Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt and Jack London, Vichy Springs Resort and Spa is a 700-acre retreat boasting America’s only warm and naturally carbonated Vichy mineral baths (and Olympic-size pool). Bed down in the historic Blue Cottage (1852) or take a break in the creek side baths like a lime in Perrier. Other options include heading to the hills for a trek to two of the county’s top natural wonders: Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve and Orr Hot Springs Resort.
Photo Courtesy of @parducciwine
Nirvana hits a high note
Nirvana hits a high note at Highway 101 mile marker 27.16 when the valley cuts loose along the Russian River. It’s picnic time or head to Parducci Wine Cellars, the world’s first carbon-neutral winery. Nearby, Testa Vineyards offers a wine tasting venue overlooking its lake and guest house. Cap the day with a visit to BARRA of Mendocino and its 5,000 sq. ft. tasting facility that resembles an inverted champagne glass. Bed down in Willits at Baechtel Creek Inn, with a serene backdrop. Daytime options include a visit to Mendocino County Museum with Native American exhibits, 19th century stagecoaches and a “new settler” hippie van. Nearby, Roots of Motive Power is the stop to admire a classic 1885 Porter steam engine. Finish the day off at Northspur Brewing Company with a cool one.
