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Annapolis Winery
26055 Soda Springs Road
http://www.annapoliswinery.com
(707) 886-5460
Taking advantage of the unique
growing conditions at an elevation of 1000 feet and 5-1/2 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the Scalabini's planted their first vineyard here in 1978. Today they produce excellent Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.
Their inviting tasting room is open daily from noon to 5.
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Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves
9711 West Dry Creek Road
http://www.bellawinery.com
(707) 473-9171
Particularly known for its award winning Zinfandel, Bella is a not to be missed wine tasting experience. Visit their unique wine caves carved into the hillside of Lilly Hill vineyard.
Open Daily from 11:00 to 4:30
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Maple Creek Winery
20799 Highway 128
http://www.maplecreekwine.com
(707) 895-3001
Known for their Zinfandel and Chardonnay, vintners Tom Rodrigues and Linda Stutz make this a fun place to visit, and they live up to their motto, "Enter as strangers, leave as friends".
Open Daily 10:30 to 5:00
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Mariah Vineyards
33525 Mountain View Road, 95459
http://www.mariahvineyards.com/site
(707) 882-2243
Just a few miles up Mountain View Road, you'll find the closest vineyards to the Coast Guard House. This unique appellation is known as "Mendocino Ridge". It's a non-contiguous appellation that starts at an elevation of 1700 feet and rises to 2600 feet, where you'll find Dan and Vicki Dooling's labor of love.
The Zinfandel and Syrah wines produced by Mariah are unsurpassed, and you're welcome to visit and taste - their hours are flexible, but call first.
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Esterlina Vineyard & Winery
1200 Holmes Ranch Road
http://www.esterlinavineyards.com
(707) 895-2920
Wonderful Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir can be sampled at one of the best tasting experiences you'll ever have, 1200 feet above and overlooking the Anderson Valley.
Open daily but call first, even if you're just minutes away; their driving directions for the last mile or so are essential.
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Foursight Wines
14475 California 128
http://www.foursightwines.com
(707) 895-2889
The Charles family has been growing fabulous Pinot grapes for years. In 2006 they ventured into some serious winemaking and wine aficionados have stood up and taken notice. Also try their Sauvignon Blanc.
You can visit their friendly tasting room just outside of Boonville Friday through Monday from 10:00 to 4:30.
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Goldeneye
9200 California 128
http://www.goldeneyewinery.com
(707) 895-3202
Anybody who knows anything about Pinot Noir typically includes Goldeneye at the top of their list, but you’re bound to appreciate their Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris as well.
Open daily between 10:30 and 4:30
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Handley Cellars Winery
3151 California 128
http://www.handleycellars.com/index.jsp
(707) 895-3876
Handley is known for its estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but you may be equally impressed by their Zinfandel and Syrah from vineyards in the Redwood Valley.
Open Daily 10-5
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Meyer Family Cellars
19750 California 128
http://www.meyerfamilycellars.com
(707) 944-9511
This Yorkville Highlands winery is a must visit if you love Syrah. When you do, be sure to taste their Port, made every year from a blended assortment of old-vine Zinfandel.
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Rafanelli Winery
6470 Wine Creek Road
http://arafanelliwinery.com
(707) 473-0324
This Dry Creek Valley institution produces excellent Cabernets and Merlots year after year, but once you taste their Zinfandel, you're bound to think of only one way to spell this varietal; "A. Rafanelli".
All of their wine is sold directly, so make a point to arrange a tasting (by appointment only). Open Daily 10-4.
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Ridge Vineyards - Lytton Springs
650 Lytton Springs Road
http://www.ridgewine.com
(707) 433-7721
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Londer Vineyards
14051 California 128
http://www.londervineyards.com
(707) 895-9001
We had the pleasure of first tasting wine from Londer Vineyards several years ago in Larry and Shirlee's home kitchen and have been hooked ever since. Back then, they had no formal tasting room and tasting was done by appointment only. Fortunately today, one can enjoy the extra convenience and accessibility found in their Boonville tasting room, where you're bound to appreciate their award winning Pinot Noirs.
Open Friday-Monday 11-5pm
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Mauritson Wines
2859 Dry Creek Road
http://www.mauritsonwines.com
(707) 431-0804
You may already be familiar with Mauritson's reputation for award winning Zinfandel, but did you know they also produce an unsurpassed estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc? Find out for yourself by visiting their inviting tasting room, which is open daily from 10-5.
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Navarro Vineyards & Winery
5601 California 128
http://www.navarrowine.com/main.php
(707) 895-3686
Why is it when people think of the Anderson Valley they automatically think of Navarro Vineyards? Probably because year after year, since 1974, Navarro has consistently put out quality estate-produced Pinot Noir and Alsatian wines that walk away with medals. Navarro directly distributes most of their wine, making a trip to their friendly tasting room an absolute must. Tasting Room Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM Summer (5 PM Winter)
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Lula Cellars
9000 California 128 Philo, CA 95466
http://www.lulacellars.com/winery.html
(707) 895-3737
A few weeks ago friends of ours invited us to dinner and they served Lula's 2010 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. When tasted, it first demonstrated a not-so-uncommon cherry and plum flavor, but this was followed by a distinctive finish reminiscent of tobacco and minerals, often only experienced in Pinots from the Santa Lucia Highlands. We love this wine, and we plan to learn more about Mendocino County's newest winery in the near future. Check back here for an update.
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Philo Ridge Vineyards
14125 California 128 Boonville, CA 95415
http://www.philoridge.com
(707) 895-3036
Philo Ridge is a small Mendocino County winery with vineyards on Philo Ridge and a tasting room in downtown Boonville. Pinot Noir is their primary wine but they also produce Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Viognier. These are nice folks and their tasting room in downtown Boonville should not be missed. Open Friday to Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Quivira Vineyards
4900 West Dry Creek Road Healdsburg, CA 95448-9721
http://www.quivirawine.com
(707) 431-8333
We discovered Quivira wines several years ago, when founders Holly and Henry Wendt visited the Coast Guard House and brought some of their excellent Zinfandel. Since then Quivira Vineyards was purchased by Pete and Terri Knight who have remained dedicated to the Biodynamic and organic farming techniques that make Quivera wines great. The tasting room is open daily from 11am to 5pm (excluding major holidays and private events).
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Roederer Estate Inc
4501 California 128
http://www.roedererestate.com/index.php
(707) 895-2288
Given the perfect growing conditions for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes relied upon to make first rate "méthode champenoise" wines, it's no wonder that Jean-Claude Rouzaud, then president of Champagne Louis Roederer and fifth generation descendant of the founder, selected the 580-acre Anderson Valley vineyard and winery site in 1982. Roederer Estate Brut is the first California sparkling wine to be produced by Champagne Louis Roederer, further building upon a 200-year tradition of fine winemaking from this family owned company. Roederer's unique winemaking style is based on two elements: complete ownership of its vineyards and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year's blend or cuvée. Typically, Roederer produces some of the finest sparkling wines to be found anywhere in the world.
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Scharffenberger Cellars
8501 California 128
http://www.scharffenbergercellars.com/index.php
(707) 895-2070
The cool wine growing region of the Anderson Valley is perfect for the Champagne-style wines that are dependent on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Scharffenberger's excellent sparkling wines are made "Methode Traditionelle" and represent the very best of this type to be found on any continent.
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Toulouse Vineyards
8001 California 128
http://www.toulousevineyards.com
(707) 895-2828
Owners Vern and Maxine Boltz take pride in their truly handcrafted wine, which is fully created in house. By design, their smaller sized operation enables them to maintain high quality control, do all winemaking and bottling on site, and manage every facet of the entire process. The results are evident year after year in their award winning Pinot Noirs. Additionally, they make one of our favorite Rosé wines from their Pinot grapes.
The Boltz' laid back demeanor will make you feel like family when you visit their tasting room.
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Unti Vineyards
4202 Dry Creek Road
http://www.untivineyards.com
(707) 433-5590
Unti Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in red varietal wines with vineyard personality. George and his son Mick believe Dry Creek Valley’s climate is ideal for making full-bodied, fruity reds from Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varietals. These grapes, combined with thoughtful winemaking, consistently produce fabulous blends. It is little wonder that our favorites – their Sangiovese and their Granache based Rosé – sell out quickly. Even if you’re not fortunate enough to find them in their tasting room (open by appointment 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm), you should look for them wherever fine wines are sold.
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Route 128 Vineyards & Winery
21079 Geyserville Avenue
http://www.route128winery.com
(707) 696-0004
The Opatz Family Vinyard is planted at an elevation of 1,400 feet, in the Yorkville Highlands. Originally they produced Vigonier, Zinfandel and Syrah. A few years later they added an additional acre of field blend Bordeaux varieties, which culminates in their highly acclaimed “High Five”. Pete and Lorna’s Geyserville tasting room is open Friday through Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Wilson Winery
1960 Dry Creek Road
http://www.wilsonwinery.com
(707) 433-4355
Wilson consistently receives critical acclaim for its Estate Zinfandels (2010 Buzz Vineyard Zinfandel: Gold ~ 2012 International Women's Wine Competition; 2009 Carl's Zinfandel: 91 points ~ Wine Spectator; 2009 Diane's Reserve Zinfandel:
Gold Medal ~ 2011 Sonoma Country Harvest Fair Wine Competition; 2009 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel: Gold Medal ~ 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; 2009 Ellie’s Old Vine Zinfandel: Gold Medal ~ 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; 2009 Ken's Reserve Zinfandel 91 points ~ Wine Spectator; 2009 Molly’s Zinfandel: Double Gold Medal ~ 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; 2009 Nolan Zinfandel: 91 points ~ Wine Spectator)
Check them out and find out why.
Their tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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215 Main St
215 Main St
http://www.facebook.com/215Main
(707) 882-3215
All of the top-notch Mendocino County and Sonoma County wine-tasting rooms are inland from the coast, where the climate is particularly suited for grape growing. Ironically, though, it's our brisk coastal climate that is most conducive for the appreciation of fine wine; and there's no better place to do just that than 215 Main. This classy little wine bar opened in downtown Point Arena just two years ago and has been met with rave reviews: "This might be the Cheers of the Mendo Coast, only with real characters like Bill, the owner, who have all been around and opened this comfy, classy wine bar to feed the soul and lift the spirit" and "the class of some hip SF place of the month without the attitude or pretensions. A locals joint where you are a stranger but once. The ability to order food 'from anywhere' is just awesome."
215 Main frequently has live music and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 2:15 to ?
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Yorkville Cellars Inc
25701 Highway 128
http://www.yorkvillecellars.com
(707) 894-9177
Amiable owners Deborah and Edward Wallo began pursuing their passion for winemaking in the Yorkville Highlands in 1986, and the organic wines they have produced have garnered a well-deserved reputation for outstanding quality. In addition to their award winning Sauvignon Blanc, they make a spectacular "“Bordeaux style” red named "Richard the Lion-Heart", which is carefully blended, using the very best barrels of six varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere.) It is one of our favorites!
The tasting room is on Highway 128 between Cloverdale and Boonville and is open daily between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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Zina Hyde Cunningham
14077 California 128
http://www.zinawinery.com
(707) 895-9462
We've been enthusiastic fans of the "Anderson Valley Pinot Noir" and "Redwood Valley Zinfandel" produced by Zina Hyde Cunningham for several years now. And one of the great things about this winery is their broad reach into other wine regions for grapes to enable them to make a variety of other excellent varietals, such as Russian River Valley & Mendocino County Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino County Chardonnay, Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer, Russian River Valley Riesling, Sonoma County Rose, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Mendocino County Carignane, Lake County Merlot, Lake County Cabernet Franc, Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon, High Valley Barbera, Lake County Petite Sirah, and their blends Cepage and Veola, as well as their dessert wines, Orange Muscat & Demi-Sec Riesling.
Be sure to visit their tasting room in downtown Boonville. Open daily from 10am to 5pm