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Explore Zinfandel in Mendocino County |
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The Mendocino County AVA starts some 100 miles north of San Francisco. This is perfect CaliforniaWineOnline.com territory since it is largely unexplored by many wine lovers. Mendocino is an absolutely spectacular region with the Pacific Ocean crashing against high bluffs in the west, redwood forests, vineyards adorning mountain ridges and fog shrouded valleys. Mendocino County AVA has the privilege to have some of the most unique sub-AVAs in all of North America from the "Islands in the Sky" of the Mendocino Ridge AVA to the smallest of all AVAs, the six acre Dos Rios AVA. Mendocino County is highly diverse with coastal influences, mountaintops, river valleys, and inland regions that have either Mediterranean like climates or like Northern Europe. Mendocino has the distinction of being the leader of certified organically grown grapes world wide.
There are various routes north from San Francisco, most notably Highways 1 and 101. Highway 1 is the famous coastal highway which winds along spectacular ocean bluffs. This is not the quick route but it is the WOW! route. Pack your motion sickness pills. Highway 101, beautiful in its own right, becomes zippy once passed Santa Rosa. This is the road to take if you have time constraints.
A few keystrokes is another way to explore Mendocino County - from the comfort of your chair. Look through this site for all it has to offer.
How Great Zinfandel is Created - Terroir
Much of the Mendocino County AVA is mountainous with several distinctive valleys. This is a fascinating region for terroir because of its great diversity. Check out the County's sub AVAs:
The Mendocino Ridge AVA has a long, sunny growing season because of its lofty position above the fog shrouded valleys below. The AVA creates wines of intriguing intensity. Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel is complex and layered with spiced red and black fruit flavors and a white pepper finish.
The Russian River flows through the Mendocino AVA and contributes to the rich alluvial soils found there. The Zinfandel that has raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and white pepper flavors.
The Navarro River flowing through The Anderson Valley AVA to the ocean brings ocean air creating a microclimate region perfect for cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay. The region is noted for its sparkling wines made from those grapes. There is great Zinfandel here as well with black fruit and mocha highlights.
The Redwood Valley AVA has iron red alluvial soils and the climate tends to be perfectly moderate. Redwood Valley Zinfandel is rich with black pepper, bramble fruit and plums followed by cinnamon and cocoa layers.
The Potter Valley AVA right next door to and east of Redwood Valley, enjoys a climate typical to northern Europe with moderate summer days and cool nights. Zinfandel is grown in Potter Valley and it is jammy with cranberry, blackberry and spice flavors.
No Zinfandel is grown in the one quarter square mile Cole Ranch AVA.
The McDowell Valley AVA is in the very southern portion of Mendocino County. It has a mix of alluvial soils, is dry and warm in the summer. Rhone Varietals are grown in the region.
The Yorkville Highlands AVA has unique, gravelly, well drained soils and a long growing season. The Zinfandel has spiced plum, cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of tobacco.
The tiny little six acre Dos Rios AVA is the newest Mendocino AVA. No Zinfandel is grown in Dos Rios.
Zinfandel and Food Pairings
Traditionally the spicy Zin is paired with barbeque foods: ribs, hamburgers, grilled chicken and other spicy foods like pizza. Feel free to pair it with your favorite spicy ethnic cuisine but skip raw onions. Try Zinfandel with cheese. Zinfandel's versatility also enhances the flavors of many desserts including chocolate.
Create Your Own Tour
Explore one region or sample the highlights of several. Find links in the navigation bar to the left to move back and forth between the different Mendocino County AVA regions where Zinfandel is grown or visit different varietals. Stay tuned as, over time, we will provide more information for you to fine tune your exploration.
Click on the Mendocino County sub-AVA links in the navigation bar on the left to go down the page to explore the AVAs listed in the table below. The Navigation bar provides links to vineyard and winery associations and Chambers of Commerce. These will direct you to information about area restaurants, lodging and local highlights.
California American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
American Viticultural Areas are unique, legally designated grape growing areas that are defined by the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). These regions are most often defined by their topography, soil types, climate and sometimes historical relevance. Below are the AVAs for Mendocino County AVA.
| Mendocino Ridge | Mendocino |
| Anderson Valley | Redwood Valley |
| Potter Valley | Cole Ranch |
| McDowell Valley | Yorkville Highlands |
| Dos Rios |
Source vs Out Source
Traditionally, most of Mendocino County's grapes were sent to other regions throughout the state, called out sourcing. In recent years, more and more vineyards in the County are using their grapes to produce wines for their own labels. In some of the tables below we have listed the wineries from other California AVA's that produce wines from 100% of the grapes originating from Mendocino single vineyard sources.
Interpreting the Codes
In the AVA winery tables below you will find codes at the end of many of the winery listings. These will provide information about the source of the grapes used in their wines. The interpretation of these codes are as follows:
Wineries that offer wines from which the majority of their grapes come from a specific AVA outside of that region will list the AVA name on the wine bottle label. We indicate this by: OS=Out Sourced. We will often include a code for the specific AVA: MR=Mendocino Ridge, etc. Single Vineyard wines are sometimes but not always the same thing as estate wines. Often wineries will make wines from 100% of the grapes from another vineyard and this is indicated by SV=Single Vineyard. Technically, the ES designation means the wine is produced at that winery from 100% of their own grapes. RE=Reserve Wine and this indicates a special edition produced by the winery. The letters above can be combined in different ways, for example SV+OS=Single Vineyard+Out Sourced from another region. OV=Old Vine.
| ES=Estate | SV=Single Vineyard | OS=Out Sourced | SV+OS=Single Vineyard+Out Sourced | OV=Old Vine | RE=Reserve |
| MR = Mendocino Ridge | M = Mendocino | AV = Anderson Valley | RV = Redwood Valley | PV = Potter Valley |
| CR = Cole Ranch | McDV = McDowell Valley | YH = Yorkville Highlands | DR = Dos Rios | MC = Mendocino County |
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The lists of the wineries in the Mendocino County AVA are broken down into sub AVAs and they show only those wineries that produce or offer Zinfandel. Click on the Cabernet Sauvignon logo above to go to the Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon page to see the complete list of wineries in the region.
***A functioning website is the criteria for winery/vineyard inclusion in the lists below.***
Mendocino Ridge AVA is unique among viticultural areas. This AVA is relatively close to the ocean and is contained within the Mendocino County. It overlaps some with Anderson Valley but only those vineyards at an elevation of 1,200 feet in this mountainous region qualify for the AVA designation. The 1,200 foot elevation puts Mendocino Ridge vineyards well above the valley fog line. Two hundred fifty thousand acres surround these privileged vineyards but only seventy five of those are at or above 1,200 feet. This creates a unique, noncontiguous region that is popularly known as "Islands in the Sky." Zinfandel is the primary grape grown.
Mendocino Ridge's Zinfandel has great complexity with spiced red cherry, dried cranberry, boysenberry, blackberry fruit flavors and black pepper finish.
| Edmeades Estate Winery | 18700 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville CA 95441; Phone: 800.994.2454; Fax: 707.895.3237; email: info@eadmeades.com; website: www.edmeades.com. ES+OV, OS+M,RV |
| Greenwood Ridge Vineyards | 5501 Highway 128, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.2002; Fax: 707.l895.2001; email: everybody@greenwoodridge.com; website: www.greenwoodridge.com. OS |
The Mendocino AVA is located far inland, roughly two hours north of San Francisco (via Highway 101) at elevations between 500 to 3000 feet. This is a mountainous region bisected by the Russian River which creates distinctive microclimates. The higher elevations are composed of sandstone lifted from the ocean floor and igneous rock. The valleys are composed of alluvial soils laid down by the Russian River and its tributaries as well as soil washed down from higher elevations.
Mendocino's Zinfandel is dense with raspberry, black cherry, blackberry fruit accented with a white pepper finish.
| Fetzer Vineyards | P.O. Box 611, Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.744.7600; Fax: 707.744.7605; website: www.fetzer.com. RE, SV |
| Fife Vineyards | 3620 Rd. B, Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.0323; Fax: 707.485.0832; email: info@fifevineyards.com; website: www.fifevineyards.com. OS+RV, ES |
| Jepson Vineyards | 10400 S Hwy 101, Ukiah CA 95482-9613; Phone: 707.468.8936; Fax: 707.468.0362; email: mboeckx@jepsonwine.com; website: www.jepsonwine.com. ES+OS+RV |
| McNab Ridge Winery | 2350 McNab Ranch Road, Ukiah CA 95482; Phone: 707.462.2423; website: www.mcnabridge.com. SV, OS+RV |
| Oracle Oaks Winery | 13275 S Highway 101, Suite 5, Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.744.1230; Fax: 707.744.1203; email: info@oracleoakswinery.com; www.oracleoakswinery.com. SV+OS-RV |
| Pacific Star Winery | 33000 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg CA 95437; Phone: 707.964.1155; Fax: 707.964.1105; email: diane@pacificstarwinery.com; website: www.pacificstarwinery.com. Open daily 11-5. RE+OS+M |
| Parducci Wine Cellars | (Ukiah Winery) 501 Parducci Road, Ukiah CA 95482; Phone: 707.463.5350, 888.362.9463 (WINE); Fax: 707.462.7260; email: tastingroom@parducci.com; website: www.mendocinowineco.com. Mendocino Tasting Room: 45070 Main Street, Mendocino CA 95460; Phone: 800.860.3347; Fax: 707.937.6193; email: tastingroom@mendocinowineco.com. OS+MC |
Anderson Valley is formed by the Navarro River as it cuts its way through the coastal ranges to the ocean - a major influence on the climate of the region. The days are warm and sunny offset by nighttime and morning fog that rolls up the river. Pinot Noir is king in Anderson Valley followed by Chardonnay and several German varietals. This is one of California's premium sparkling wine regions.
Surprisingly, Anderson Valley produces layered and complex Zinfandel with spiced black cherry and blackberry fruit with mocha highlights.
| Brutocao Cellars | 7000 Highway 128, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.2152; 800.433.3689; email: info@brutocaocellars.com; website: www.brutocaocellars.com. Anderson Valley Tasting Room, 7000 Highway 128 Philo CA 95466; 800.661.2103. ES |
| Claudia Springs Winery | 2160 Guntly Road, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.3926, toll free in CA only: 800.734.2160; email: info@claudiasprings.com; website: www.claudiasprings.com. Tasting room 1810 Hwy 128, Navarro CA; 707.895.3993. Open daily 11-5 summer, 12-5 winter. SV+OS+RV |
| Edmeades Estate Winery | 18700 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville CA 95441; Phone: 800.994.2454; Fax: 707.895.3237; email: info@eadmeades.com; website: www.edmeades.com. ES+OV, OS+M,RV |
| Esterlina Vineyards | 1200 Holmes Ranch Road (PO Box 2) Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.2920; email: info@EsterlinaVineyards.com; website: www.esterlinavineyards.com. SV+OS |
| Greenwood Ridge Vineyards | 5501 Highway 128, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.2002; Fax: 707.895.2001; email: everybody@greenwoodridge.com; website: www.greenwoodridge.com. Open daily 10-5. |
| Handley Cellars | 3151 Highway 128, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.3876, 800.733.3151; email: info@handleycellars.com; website: www.handleycellars.com. Open daily, May-Oct 10-6, Nov-April 10-5, tours by appointment. ES, OS+MR |
| Husch Vineyards | 4400 Highway 128, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 800.55.HUSCH; website: http://huschvineyards.com. Open daily 10-5 winter, 10-6 summer. SV+OV |
| Philo Ridge Vineyards | 27700 Nash Mill Road (PO Box 585), Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.489.2303; Fax: 866.800.5122; email: hamckelvey@philoridge.com; website: www.philoridge.com. OS+M |
| Raye's Hill Vineyard & Winery | 3400 Chardonnay Lane, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 707.895.3439; email: raye@rayeshill.com; website: www.rayeshill.com. SV+OS |
| Woodenhead Vintners | PO Box 1448, Forestville CA 95436; Phone: 707.887.2703; email: zina@woodenheadwine.com; website: www.woodenheadwine.com. SV, OS, SV+OS |
Redwood Valley is located north of Lake Mendocino and follows the Russian River for 12 miles at an elevation of 750 to 1,500 feet above sea level. This contributes to a slightly cooler climate overall. It shares a border with Potter Valley AVA. Despite the relative coolness of the region, microclimates allow for a wide selection of varietals to thrive. Among those are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, a number of Italian varietals and more. The predominantly red, iron rich soils of the Redwood Valley yield rich, full bodied wines.
Redwood Valley's red soil lends itself to rich and concentrated wines that highlights black pepper, plums, berries with cinnamon and licorice.
| Elizabeth Vineyards | 8591 Colony Drive; Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.9009; Fax: 707.485.6006; email: tasting@elizabethvineyards.com, info@elizabethvineyards.com; website: www.elizabethvineyards.com. Tasting by appointment only. ES+OV |
| Fife Vineyards | 3620 Road B, Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.0323; Fax: 707.485.0832; email: info@fifevineyards.com; website: www.fifevineyards.com. ES, OV, ES+OS, OS |
| Frey Vineyards | 14000 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.5177; 800.760.3739; Fax: 707.485.7875; email: info@freywine.com; website: www.freywine.com. Tastings by appointment only. ES, OS, ORG |
| Girasole Vineyards | PO Box 196; Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.8771; Fax: 707.485.0147; email: info@GirasoleVineyards.com; website: www.girasolevineyards.com. ES+ORG |
| Graziano | 13251 S Highway 101, Suite 3; Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.744.VINO (8466); Fax: 707.744.8470; email: info@grazianofamilyofwines.com; website: www.grazianofamilyofwines.com. Open daily 10-5. ES, ES+OV, OS |
| Lolonis Winery | 1905 Road D, Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.7544, 925.938.8066; Fax: 925.938.8069; website: www.lolonis.com. ES, ORG |
| Silversmith Vineyards | 3700 A Road J, Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.1196; Fax: 707.462.4942; email: info@silversmithvineyards.com; website: www.silversmithvineyards.com. Open Sat & Sun 11-5 or by appointment. Tours by appointment. ES |
The Potter Valley AVA is the next door neighbor, east of Redwood Valley AVA. There are around 1,000 acres of vines in the region but those grapes are out sourced to wineries throughout California. We have decided that we will track down and list wineries that offer 100% Potter Valley Wine so this will be an ever expanding table. Stay tuned. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are among the grape varietals grown in Potter Valley.
Potter Valley's Zinfandel is jammy with cranberry, blackberry and spice flavors.
| Sunset Cellars | 123 4th Avenue, San Francisco CA 94122; Phone: 415.566.2910, 510.521.9490; Fax: 415.566.8782; email: sales@sunsetcellars.com; website: www.sunsetcellars.com. ES |
Cole Ranch is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling. The AVA's soils are predominantly clay, loam and silt. No Zinfandel is grown in Cole Ranch.
McDowell Valley is about three and a half miles long and about one mile wide. It sits at 1000 feet in the Mayacamas Mountains and McDowell Creek drains into the Russian River in the west. This is a 330 acre single vineyard AVA. The soils are a mix of alluvium, gravel and clay. Summers, here in the southeastern portion of Mendocino County, are dry and warm with plenty of sun making this a prime region for Rhone Varietals. Zinfandel is not produced in McDowell Valley.
Yorkville Highlands, in the south central portion of Mendocino County is favored with moderate temperatures and a long growing season. The elevation is above 800 feet to about 1,950feet. Highway 128 divides the area that is marked by terrace like structures.
Thin gravelly well drained soils produce Zinfandel with spicy plum, blackberry cherry and hints of tobacco.
| Maple Creek Winery | 20799 Highway 128, Yorkville CA 95494; Phone: 707.895.3001; Fax: 707.89.3437; email: linda@maplecreekwine.com; website: www.maplecreekwine.com. Open daily 10:30-5. OS+YH |
| Route 128 Winery | 22130 Mountain House Road, Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.696.0004; email: info@route128winery.com; website: www.route128winery.com. |
Dos Rios, another tiny (all of six acres!), single vineyard AVA in northern Mendocino County and overlooks the middle fork of the Eel River. This is a brand new viticultural region that was approved in November of 2005. No Zinfandel is produced in Dos Rios.
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Explore Zinfandel in The Mendocino County AVA. Click on the links below to learn more about Zinfandel in those AVAs.