America's most beautiful wine appellation

WINE TALK
1

I was just in northern California, and I passed through Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. There may be more beautiful specific spots, but nothing I’ve seen in USA’s winedom (nor in much of Europe) surpasses the Anderson Valley for sheer bucolic beauty and charm. We drove through it by accident, not knowing route 128 goes right through the valley… We left the amazing, foggy northern California coast near Fort Bragg, and turned inland driving through a spectacular stretch of shady, protected Redwoods. Suddenly, we emerged from the forested shade into a bright, enchantingly hilly valley with a patchwork of farms, livestock, vineyards, woodlots… While both lovely in their own right, in comparison Napa seemed commercial and bland, and Sonoma seemed tame and farmed next to the wilder stylings of Mendocino. This is a wine region where coyotes howl and you keep a coat nearby against the winter’s chill. To my eye, everything was in perfect balance in the Anderson Valley.

I grew up in central New York and spent my summers on Seneca Lake, so I am partial to the Finger Lakes region-- which is stunning-- but for beauty there’s a new king in town for my mileage… the Anderson Valley.

2

We’re vacationing in Boonville in July. I’ve been in CA since 1995 and have never been up there. I plan to take my bike and explore the backroads.

I think Napa is strikingly beautiful, though it’s difficult to appreciate it if you’re stuck in traffic.

3

You obviously haven’t been to the Bronco winery where they make Charles Shaw:

4

Awesome!

5

Kinda looks like Yellowtail refinery…

6

Are they making wine or gasoline?

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Gary, their one and the same for Charles Shaw

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Such a beautiful area. Particularly liked the brewery there in Boonville: they’ve got delicious IPA.

9

The Anderson Valley is beautiful, but the most beautiful view from a vineyard that I’ve seen in America is from the Huber Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge appellation. One can look up and down the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, over the Hood River Valley to majestic Mount Hood and even get a peek at the White Salmon river watershed….gorgeous.

Peter Rosback

Sineann

10

The second I saw your name I knew what the answer would be.

That said, my wife was just musing last night that she wouldn’t mind moving to the Sonoma coast.
The Santa Cruz mountains aren’t too shabby either.

P Hickner

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Pics or it didn’t happen…

12

Napa is lovely (except for the traffic as has been mentioned).

A couple of pics from a recent trip (late January 2014):
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13

Eh, I think there are many beautiful “wine regions” in the States. I still think Westside Road along Dry Creek is very pretty, the Finger Lakes of course, Virginia’s piedmont, paso Robles, Arizona’s Sonoita area, SE Massachusetts…I think nearly everyplace can have it’s charms.

14

It’s tough to beat Tuscany, but for me, Healdsburg comes close. Very quaint with the general store, the scenery, the stopping points and walking trails. It’s like time has stopped a little there.

15

That was an awesome post. [worship.gif]

16

So many to choose from. The Santa Cruz Mountains were beautiful. I loved Westside Road starting in Healdsburg. Driving up the Old Mission Peninsula in northern Michigan is breathtaking - I’ll be there again in May.

I really want to do the extreme Sonoma Coast…Fort Ross, Seaview, etc…

17

She is purty.

From down low…




From up high…

18

Almost every wine region is beautiful. Most beautiful I have seen in the US is the Finger Lakes, especially in the Fall.

19

Humboldt County has to be mentioned here. It is hard to beat in terms of unspoiled landscapes, varied terrain and rugged beaches.

Some would likely argue that it is not wine real wine appellation, but the words “Humboldt County” do appear on a few bottles.

20

Gee, I wonder why?