Sunday, November 13, 2011

Mendocino wine and food trip

Nothing was outright bad (we bought at least one bottle at every winery), but the following are listed from favorite to least.


Wine:

As it's closer to the Pacific coast, Anderson Valley is cooler than Sonoma or Napa. Much of the wine it produces is Pinot Noir, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer. This is not the place to visit if you prefer big reds.
  • Standish (Yelp)
    Might have felt stuffy and old fashioned if it weren't for Valerie.
    Apple picking...if you get there before the wind blows them all down.

  • Navarro (Yelp)
    Roomy, but not huge.
    Relaxed and unpretentious.
    Free tasting of about fifteen wines.
    Pretty view of vineyard and hills from back patio.
    Tasty mustard.

  • Toulouse (Yelp)
    Ongoing renovations.
    Nearly as many dogs as people.

  • Husch (Yelp)
    Quite small.

  • Greenwood Ridge (Yelp)
    Biggest tasting room of the trip.
    There are award ribbons, trophies, posters etc. everywhere. Unfortunately the appearance is one of gaudy, artificial pride than quality; especially given that every Anderson Valley winery seems to list awards alongside most of their wines...
    Chris' stories (and teasing) were good fun.

  • Goldeneye (owned by Duckhorn) (Yelp)
    Spectacular view of the vineyard, and Hendy Woods from the back patio
    Pretentious and expensive e.g. they charged about $10 for one shared tasting even though we bought a bottle (which was not cheap either). Most of the other wineries charged $5 or less, and the tasting fee is waived if you purchase a bottle.

  • Scharffenberger (Yelp)
    Quite small.
    A little dull.

Food:
Misc info:
  • Sea Rock Inn (Yelp)
    Pretty view of the ocean and coastline.
    Basic breakfast.

  • Jim Ball (Yelp)
    Bought by Roderer (according to Goldeneye across the street). Still grow but their sign is gone and they no longer do tasting (so don't drive up and down the valley three or four times looking for it...).

  • The Highway 128 drive through Anderson Valley to Mendocino is pretty, but the twisty road is not for the easily carsick.