Mendocino

WINE TALK
1

Any wineries I should hit-up while there? Ashley and I will be in San Francisco this weekend, and might make a day or afternoon of wine tasting.

I’ve duly noted the recs. made here: Wineries in Sonoma and Mendocino counties to visit - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers

… I’m just wondering if people want to pile-on any other recs.

Thanks. [berserker.gif]

2

See if you can visit Larry Londer and Londer vineyards…great dude.

3

Brian;

One of the reasons Mendocino hasn’t got much play over the years is how far north of the Bay Area we are. I’m not trying to run you off, but we’re two and a half hours north of the golden gate bridge (with low traffic). Very hard to do a day trip from SF unless you’re very dedicated. Just something to think about. blahblah

4

Thanks for the heads-up, Casey. It sounds like my buddy may have his heart set on going wine tasting in Mendo, so just trying to get a lay of the land if, indeed, his heart is so set.

Do most places require an appointment a few days in advance? If so, that, more than the distance, would likely preclude visiting this weekend.

5

Handley, Navarro and probably Breggo in Anderson Valley, although I haven’t tasted Breggo wines. Everyone seems to like them.
I stopped by a tasting room called Sips! Mendocino in Hopland that has Casey’s Eaglepoint Ranch wines for sale. The 2007 Grenache is excellent and I think they have the 2006 petite sirah that I liked. I bought grenache there.
That was educational, though, in that there’s not a lot wine I liked. There’s a 2007 Naughty Boy Chardonnay by a winemaker named Graziano. They have some other wines available in their tasting room. If I had more time, I would have gone to Graziano.

6

For Mendo…it is a long drive up there from SF so I would plan on getting a room somewhere nearby.

Recommendations are still Breggo and Navarro - no appt necessary (although check Breggo as they may be appt during the week but appt free on the weekend).

Toulouse
Phillips Hill
Esterlina
Baxter - i really enjoyed their 2006 at Pinot Days.

Otherwise, Londer as mentioned is good.

Anderson Valley Brewing company for beer.

Also, before you turn off for Anderson Valley, see if you can make an appt to stop and taste at Peay Vyds in Cloverdale.

7

Another vote for Navarro.

The winery isn’t in Mendocino, but some of Copain’s most interesting wines are sourced from Mendocino, and Copain’s winemaker Wells Guthrie is producing perhaps the best wines from Mendocino fruit, so you might consider dropping by the Copain tasting room in Healdsburg, which is on your way. Just a thought.

8

Yet another vote for Navarro, it is a beautiful winery in a gorgeous setting.

Of course they are famous for Gewurztraminer and dessert wines, but try their Pinots, you might be very pleasantly surprised.

9

It sounds like Navarro, at least, is a must if we go up there. Thanks for the recos … I’ll certainly let ya’ll know if we do end-up going anywhere. [berserker.gif]

10

I’d go there first, Brian. If you can there about lunch, they have a really nice seating/eating area off the back of the tasting room. You can have lunch while your sip their nice whites- with stickies for dessert. Great family and scene.