On the Pinot Trail in Anderson Valley

Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association: www.avwines.com
Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission: www.mendowine.com
Anderson Valley homepage: www.andersonvalley.org

Lodging: Apple Farm is a 32-acre organic farm and apple orchard with a cooking school and three cottages run by Dan and Sally Schmitt, the original owners of the French Laundry (www.philoapplefarm.com). The Boonville Hotel is operated by the Schmitts’ son, Johnny, who doubles as the chef in the hotel’s excellent restaurant open on weekends for dinner (www.boonvillehotel.com). Anderson Valley Inn is an inexpensive rustic 7 room inn in Philo (www.avinn.com). If you opt to stay on the Mendocino Coast you will have a 45- minute drive through the redwoods to reach the Anderson Valley but the trip is quite scenic. Albion River Inn has deluxe accommodations overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a first-class restaurant (www.albionriverinn.com). The Rendezvous Inn & Restaurant in Fort Bragg is housed in a lovingly restored old home with a gourmet restaurant that offers superb dining on the Mendocino Coast (www.rendezvousinn.com). The Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites is a historic inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean in downtown Mendocino with an excellent restaurant and wine list (www.mendocinohotel.com). The Elk Cove Inn in Elk is perched on a bluff overlooking the wind-swept ocean and is the quirkiest lodging you will ever experience (www.elkcoveinn.com)

Restaurants: Boonville Hotel as described above. Libby’s has excellent Mexican food and is the locals’ favorite. Redwood Drive-In Cafe is a typical small town cafe. Mosswood Market Cafe & Bakery has very good sandwiches and wraps in Boonville. Lauren’s offers inexpensive dining in Boonville. Many of the wineries have scenic picnic spots. Pick up supplies at the markets in Philo or Boonville or the Mosswood Market Cafe & Bakery. On the Mendocino Coast, beyond the mentions under lodging, other good choices are Cafe Beaujolais, Ledford House, MacCallum House Restaurant, Stevenswood Restaurant and The Ravens at the Stanford Inn by the Sea.

Winesong! is the premier Mendocino Coast Celebration of wine, food, art and giving. The annual wine and food tasting and charity auction on the Mendocino Coast is September 11-12, 2009. Visit www.winesong.org.