Anderson Valley, Mendocino County

Anderson Valley is a 2 hour drive north of San Francisco. The nicest lodging in the region is in the town of Mendocino, a 45 minute picturesque, but twisting drive from Anderson Valley. Most of the Anderson Valley wineries are within a 20 to 30 minute driving distance from each other.

Recommended Wineries

Balo Vineyards
Phone707-366-4616
Tasting RoomCall for hours
ProductionVery limited
WinemakerJason Drew
OwnerTim Mullins
Comments8-acre vineyard planted 1998. Long-time grape supplier, started own label 2009 vintage.
PoP coverageBalo Vineyards
Baxter Winery
Phone707-895-3173
Tasting RoomThurs-Mon 11:00 - 5:00
Production2,000 cases of Pinot Noir.
WinemakerPhil Baxter Jr..
OwnerPhil Baxter Sr. and Jr..
CommentsWines worth searching out. Uniquely vinified without new oak. Tastings led by winemaker's wife, Claire Baxter.
PoP coverageBaxter Winery
Domaine Anderson Winery
Phone707-895-3626
Tasting RoomCall for hours of operation.
WinemakerDarrin Low
OwnerLouis Roederer Estates
CommentsOrganic and biodynamic farmed Dach and Walraven vineyards (50 acres). Renowned architect Howard Backen designed tasting room. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
PoP coverageDomaine Anderson
Drew Family Cellars
Phone707-877-1771
Tasting RoomTasting room in Philo Friday-Sunday; closed December & January
Production2,000 cases Pinot Noir, Syrah and Albarino
WinemakerJason Drew
OwnerMolly and Jason Drew
CommentsLocated in the hills above the Anderson Valley in the Mendocino Ridge appellation of Mendocino County. A very picturesque property with a young, highly talented winemaker. The wines are among the best available from Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge.
PoP coverageDrew Family Cellars
FEL
Tasting RoomCliff Lede Vineyards in Napa Valley; open daily
ProductionPinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
WinemakerRyan Hodgins
CommentsSuperb wines since winery acquired by Cliff Lede.
PoP coverageFEL Wines
Foursight Wines
Phone707-895-2889
Tasting RoomOpen Friday-Monday; closed January and last 3rd weekend June
Production1000 cases Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
WinemakerJoseph Webb
OwnerBill & Nancy Charles, Joseph & Kristy Webb
CommentsCharming people and tasting room, impressive Pinot Noir.
PoP coverageFoursight Wines
Goldeneye Winery
Phone707-895-3202
Tasting RoomBeautiful hospitality center and tasting room open 11-4 daily. Picnic facilities.
Production12,000 cases, Pinot Noir exclusively
WinemakerZach Rasmussen
OwnerDuckhorn Wine
CommentsAlong with Roederer, one of the largest landowners in Anderson Valley (150 acres). Home to annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival.
PoP coverageGoldeneye Winery
Handley Cellars
Phone800-733-3157
Tasting RoomAttractive tasting room with interesting art open 10-6 May-Oct, 10-5 Nov-April. Picnic facilities.
Production18,000 cases annually of multiple varietals.
WinemakerRandy Shock
OwnerLulu McClellan and Megan Handley Warren
Comments30 acres owned, 20 acres leased. The sparkling wine is exceptional. Milla Handley has retired and turned the winery over to her two daughters, Lulu McClellan and Megan Handley Warren.
PoP coverageHandley Cellars
Harmonique
Phone707-895-9300
Tasting Room14051 Hwy 128 in Boonville; closed in winter
ProductionSmall lots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
WinemakerRobert Klindt
OwnerMoira and Bruce Conzelman
CommentsExcellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a winery whose winemaker is a veteran. The Pinot Noirs are held back a few years before release so current releases are essentially library wines. This is unprecedented in the California wine industry today (except for Kalin Cellars).
PoP coverageHarmonique
Husch Vineyards
Phone707-554-8724
Tasting RoomSmall, quaint open daily.
Production40,000 cases
WinemakerBrad Holstine
OwnerVPs Amanda and Zack Robinson
Comments23 acres owned, 180 acres leased.
PoP coverageHusch Vineyards
Lazy Creek Vineyards
Phone707-895-3623
Tasting RoomAt the winery; open Friday-Monday; 100-year-old farmhouse
Production3,000 cases Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer
WinemakerChristy Griffith
OwnerFerrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Comments92-acre historic ranch planted to 36 acres of Pinot including an 8-acre block that is one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in California. Sustainably farmed since its beginning 40 years ago.
PoP coverageLazy Creek Vineyards
LIchen Estate
Phone707-895-7949
Tasting Room11-5 Thrusday-Monday or by appointment
ProductionStill Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and sparkling wines
Comments7 acres of organically farmed estate vines on 203-acre Lichen Estate (planted 75% to Pinot Noir and 25% to Pinot Gris). A 3 bedroom craftsman cottage is located next to the winery and tasting room and available to rent.
PoP coverageLichen Estate
Navarro Vineyards
Phone707-895-3686
Tasting RoomOpen daily.
Production40,000 cases of multiple white varietals and Pinot Noir.
WinemakerJim Klein
OwnerDeborah Cahn and Edward Bennett
CommentsA pioneer in the Anderson Valley. 90 acres owned. A second project owned by the same family that own Navarro Vineyards,, Pennyroyal Farm is a sustainable farm, winery and goat dairy. All wines and cheeses are produced entirely from what the owners grow and tend. Tasting room open daily at 14930 Highway 128, Boonville. Farm tours and farm events.
PoP coverageNavarro Vineyards
Roederer Estate
Phone707-895-2288
Tasting RoomModern redwood barn open daily 11-5.
Production92,000 cases
WinemakerAmaud Weyrich
OwnerChampagne Louis Roederer
Comments460 acres owned, 120 acres leased. One of California's preeminent sparkling wine producers. Still Pinot Noir is produced and sold in tasting room.
PoP coverageRoederer Estate
Saracina Vineyards
Phone707-670-0199
Tasting RoomOpen daily 11-5, tours by appt
WinemakerAlex MacGregor/David Ramey
OwnerJohn Fetzer
CommentsOne of newest and most modern tasting rooms in Mendocino County. Saracina is John Fetzer's second winery (he sold Fetzer Vineyards). Formerly the Sundial Ranch, Saracina Ranch comprises 300 acres of vineyards. Saracina has the only wine cave in Mendocino and it is worth a tour.
PoP coverageSaracina Vineyards

Recommended Lodging

Albion River Inn
Phone707-937-0289 (Restaurant - 707-937-1919)
CommentsExcellent restaurant. Very nice accommodations on coast with impressive views of ocean. Highly recommended. 45 minute drive to Anderson Valley. Restaurant features local seafood. The wine list is among the largest and best in the area with 350 selections. Corkage is $15.
Anderson Valley Inn
Phone707-895-3325
CommentsBudget choice in a well-located lodging in the midst of the Anderson Valley.
Apple Farm
Phone707-895-2461
Comments3 cottages, cooking classes. Former original owners of the French Laundry Restaurant. Also have a rental on the Mendocino Coast available called The Elk Cottage. Owners are John Schmitt's parents (see Boonville Hotel). Store with many varieties of apples and apple cider.
Boonville Hotel
Phone707-845-2210 (Restaurant 707-895-2210)
OwnerJohn Schmitt
Comments8 rooms, 1 bungalow. Nothing luxurious, but a more than adequate country inn. Restaurant on bottom floor is Table 128, manned by chef-owner John Schmitt who grew up cooking in his family's restaurant, the earlier iteration of The French Laundry. The four-course menu changes daily and is served family style. The wine list is small at 50 bottles, but has many unique wines that are well-priced. Corkage is $20.
Greenwood Pier Inn
Phone800-807-3423
CommentsVery quirky accommodations perched on cliffs overlooking breathtaking views of ocean. 45 minutes to Anderson Valley.
Highland Ranch
Phone707-895-3600
Comments100 year old farmhouse with 8 guest cottages, restaurant, pool, pet and family friendly. Horseback riding, swimming, tennis, and fishing.
MacCallum House Inn
Phone800-609-0492
CommentsIf you stay for three nights, one day is spent on a luxury wine tour of Anderson Valley transported in the Inn's stretch SUV limousine or Lincoln Town Car. VIP tastings and discounted pricing on wine purchases, along with a gourmet picnic lunch.
The Harbor House Inn
Phone800-720-7474
CommentsLodging and fine seaside dining 30 minutes south of the town of Mendocino.
The Madrones
Phone707-895-2955
CommentsThe nicest lodging available in the Anderson Valley, located near Philo, adjacent Goldeneye's tasting room and vineyard. Owner Jim Roberts is a capable and friendly host who personally designed and tastefully decorated nine Mediterranean-themed rooms. Four winery tasting rooms are in the property's courtyard: Bink, Drew, Knez and Signal Ridge. An intimate restaurant, Stone and Embers, is highly recommended. Chef Patrick Meany has an impressive culinary resume and it shows in his wood fired oven dishes and a daily changing menu. Check the restaurants website for lunch and dinner hours (no dinner during the winter).
The Other Place
Phone707-894-5322
CommentsA 550 acre ranch with several cottages.
The Other Place
Phone707-895-3979
CommentsFour contemporary private cottages in secluded settings ranging from a ridge top to creekside locations; several have views.

Recommended Restaurants

Albion River Inn (see lodging)
Comments500 bottle wine list covers U.S. Pinot Noir. Corkage is $20.
Aquarelle Cafe & Wine Bar
Phone707-895-2767
CommentsFormer luxury ship chef Christina Jones came home, offering an eclectic menu and local wines.
Boonville Hotel 128 (see lodging)
CommentsThe most ambitious menu in the Anderson Valley. Restaurant named 128. It serves upscale family-style prix-fixe dinners with local ingredients. Check for daily availability.
Cafe Beaujolais
Phone707-937-5614
CommentsA Mendocino tradition located inside an 1893 Victorian farmhouse. The new owners are committed to the quality level set by founding chef Margaret Fox. Local producers and organic ingredients. Wine list has 300 selections, pricing is moderate, and corkage is $20.
Laurens
Phone707-895-3969
CommentsSimple but good café food
Libby's
Phone707-895-2646
CommentsGreat basic Mexican food well-executed adored by the locals. Dinner ends at 8:00 PM. Corkage is $5.
Mosswood Market Cafe
CommentsDeli sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, tea, desserts.
Patrona
Phone707-462-9181
OwnerCraig Strattman and Bridget Harrington
CommentsLunch and dinner is very good at this restaurant in the inland town of Ukiah. The owners and chefs were once winery chefs so the restaurant is very wine-friendly. Focus on fresh, local ingredients. The wine list has about 100 offerings, most of which are from Mendocino County. Corkage is $10 and free for Mendocino County wines.
Redwood Drive-In
CommentsEvery small town has a diner serving basic food three meals a day. Although the name implies a drive-in, this is a walk-in restaurant. A map of Anderson Valley in Bonntling is painted on the Cafe's outside wall.
Stone and Embers
Phone707-895-3471
CommentsSee The Madrones under lodging.

Picnic Supplies

Anderson Valley Market
CommentsGrocery store with deli sandwiches in meat department.
Floodgate Store and Deli
Lemon's Market and Deli
CommentsGrocery story with deli sandwich service in meat department.
Navarro Store
CommentsDeli, beer, wine and soda, week-end BBQ in summer.

Appellation Websites