Introduction

Most of the wineries in Mendocino County are in the wooded and serene Anderson Valley and along Highway 101. The region is beautiful with redwood forests and narrow valleys surrounded by mountains. The wineries are terrific and memorable as are the wines. And the region is rarely crowded even during events. This is one of only a couple of wine regions that really are out in the boonies. Is this region worth the drive? Yes, yes, yes!

Traveler services are located throughout the area and along the coast. There are a few mid-level hotels in Ukiah but no fine dining. Head to Brutocao winery in Hopland for dining. Yorkville has a little deli and that's about it. Cloverdale and farther south are good options and just day travel to this region. Boonville is tiny with mostly lunch and breakfast cafes and not much for lodging. There are a few B&B's scattered about.

- Jim Preston

Must See Anderson Valley - Mendocino County Wineries - an introduction to the region.

• Maple Creek
  • Setting - a rustic mountain winery in a beautiful wooded and remote setting.
  • Interior ambiance - cozy with gift shop and art.
  • Picnic site - picnic under the oaks at the tables or on the old truck bed.
• Goldeneye
  • Experience - wine flights served at tables, outside if the weather is warm enough. Classy.
  • Landscaping - beautiful gardens with water features.
  • View - rolling vineyards and redwood covered mountains.
  • Picnic sites - a variety of picnic sites to enjoy their wine in lush gardens with views.
• Brutocao Hopland
  • Architecture and interior - beautiful and friendly tasting room in a restored building.
  • Gift shop - one of the largest in any California wine region.
  • Restaurant and bar - fine dining with separate bar.
• Husch
  • Setting - quiet small ranch with weathered buildings.
  • Architecture and interior ambiance - quaint little cabin.
  • Picnic site - enjoy the setting.
• Nelson Family
  • Setting - a remote feel to the location up a little valley.
  • Landscaping - professionally done and a good example for your home project.
  • Picnic site - elevated patio by the tasting room with an excellent view.

Off-The-Beaten-Track Anderson Valley - Mendocino County Wineries

This region has two wine trails and most of the wineries are along them. Some of the less-visited wineries are along Highway 128. Tasters push through the mountains to Anderson Valley and zip past these jewels.

• Yorkville Cellars - convenient location, nice view from the tasting room.
• Maple Creek - mentioned above.
• Claudia Springs - tiny winery at the end of the valley.

Romantic Anderson Valley - Mendocino County Wineries

A special ambiance for long quiet conversations and enjoying love. Usually we have a secluded outdoor scene in mind.

• Nelson Family - tables in front of the tasting room with a great view.
• Brutocao - restaurant with quiet Italian ambiance.
• Goldeneye - patio and grove behind the tasting room with view.
• Navarro - landscaped grounds and deck with view.
• Scharffenberger - tables in the orchard.

Notes

Your tastes change frequently. Do wine ratings, gold medals, etc. really matter?

We have hundreds of winery interview videos in winery profiles. We shoot these at winery events because that is the cheapest way to gather content. It would be nice to go to each tasting room but this gets very expensive quickly. See our Compare Winery Features search engine for which wineries have videos in your target region.

We are adding our Discover California Wine Regions videos to the Recommended Wineries by Region pages.

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