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Explore Petite Sirah 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 Petite Sirah 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:
Petite Sirah is not produced in the Mendocino Ridge AVA.
The Russian River flows through the Mendocino AVA and contributes to the rich alluvial soils found there. The Petite Sirah produced in Mendocino has concentrated fruit flavors followed by hints of chocolate.
The Navarro River flowing through the Anderson Valley AVA is a direct connection to the ocean and it brings cool air to this AVA. This is perfect for cool climate loving Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region is noted for its sparkling wines made from those grapes but not for its Petite Sirah.
The Redwood Valley AVA has iron red alluvial soils and the climate tends to be perfectly moderate. A wide range of grape types are grown successfully including Petite Sirah which has ripe berries and mocha character.
The Potter Valley AVA, right next door to and east of Redwood Valley, enjoys a climate typical to northern Europe. The summer days are moderate and the nights are cool. Petite Sirah is not grown in the AVA.
The Cole Ranch AVA is only one quarter square mile in size. The grapes grown there are generally sourced to other regions. There is no Petite Sirah grown or produced in the region.
The McDowell Valley AVA is located in the very southern portion of Mendocino County. It has a mix of alluvial soils and it is dry and warm in the summer. The Petite Sirah has cherry, berry, chocolate and pepper character.
The Yorkville Highlands AVA has unique, gravelly, well drained soils and a long growing season. There is no Petite Sirah grown or produced in the Yorkville Highlands.
Tiny little 6 acre Dos Rios AVA is the newest Mendocino AVA. No Petite Sirah is produced in the region.
Petite Sirah and Food Pairings
Pair Petite Sirah, like Zinfandel, with barbeque foods: ribs, hamburgers, grilled chicken and other spicy foods like pizza. But, Petite Sirah will go well with most cheeses, meats and poultry and feel free to pair it with Mediterranean herbs like basil and rosemary. This is a substantial wine with meaty character that pairs well with a wide range of spicy ethnic cuisines as well as subtle flavors and textures. The chocolate, vanilla, baking spice character can also enhance chocolate desserts.
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 or visit the different varietal home pages. 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. These regions are most often defined by their topography, soil types, climate and sometimes are defined by their historical relevance. Below are the AVAs for Mendocino County.
| Mendocino | Mendocino Ridge |
| 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 below show only those wineries that produce or offer Petite Sirah. Click on the Cabernet Sauvignon logo above o 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 contained within the Mendocino County and 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. This region has relative closeness to the cool Pacific Ocean and the fog that rolls through the valleys at night. 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. No Petite Sirah is produced in the Mendocino Ridge.
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.
The warmth and alluvial soils of the Mendocino AVA create Petite Syrah with concentrated depth, highlighting blackberries and black pepper with hints of chocolate in the mix.
| Eaglepoint Ranch Winery | P.O. Box 401, Philo CA 95466; Phone: 8880.686.9463; Fax: 888.686.9463; email: info@eaglepointranch.com; website: www.eaglepointranch.com. SV/ES |
| 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, ES |
| McNab Ridge Winery | 2350 McNab Ranch Road, Ukiah CA 95482; Phone: 707.462.2423; website: www.mcnabridge.com. OS |
| 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. OS |
| 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 |
| Saracina Vineyards | 11684 South Highway 101 (PO Box 618), Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.744.1671; Fax: 707.744.1472; email: info@saracina.com; website: www.saracina.com. OS |
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.
| Eaglepoint Ranch Winery | PO Box 550 Philo CA 95466; Fax: 888.686.9463; email: info@eaglepointranch.com; website: www.eaglepointranch.com. Tasting room in downtown Boonville. |
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.
The Redwood Valley Petite Sirah has ripe black berries and pepper flavors with a mocha finish.
| Barra of Mendocino | 7051 North State Street (PO Box 196), Redwood Valley CA 95470; Phone: 707.485.5771; Fax: 707.485.6784; email: rvv@pacific.net; website: www.barraofmendocino.com. Open daily 9:30-5:30. Vineyard and winery tours by appointment only. SV+ORG |
| 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. 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. OS, 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. 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
| Chateau Montelena | 1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga CA 94515; Phone: 707.942.5105; Fax: 707.942.4221; email: tours - reservations@montelena.com & customer-service@montelena.com; website: www.montelena.com. Open daily 9:30-4, tours by appointment. |
| Hagafen Cellars | 4160 Silverado Trail, Napa CA 94558; Phone: 707.252.0781, 1.888.HAGAFEN (424.2336); Fax: 707.252.4562; email: info@hagafen.com; website: www.hagafen.com. Tours by appointment only. |
| Kalin Cellars | 61 Galli Drive, Suites F & G, Novato CA 94949; Phone: 415.883.3543; Fax: 925.283.2909; website: www.kalincellars.com |
| 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 |
Cole Ranch is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling. The AVA's soils are predominantly clay, loam and silt. No Petite Sirah 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 Zinfandel and Rhone Varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon is not produced in McDowell Valley.
| McDowell Valley Vineyards | PO Box 449, Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.744.1053; Fax: 707.744.1826; website: www.mcdowellsyrah.com. Tasting room 13380 South Highway 101, Hopland CA; Phone: 707.744.8911; Fax: 707.744.8919. Open daily 11-5. |
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.
| Bink Wines | 545 West I Street, Benicia CA 94510; Phone: 707.246.4468; Fax: 707.746.6483; website: www.binkwines.com. |
| Le Vin Vineyards and Winery | 33151 Highway 128, Yorkville CA 95494; Phone: 707.894.2304; Fax: 707.894.1080; email: hrh@sonic.net; website: www.levinvineyards.com |
| 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. |
| Meyer Family Cellars | 19750 Highway 128, Yorkville CA 95494; Phone: 707.895.2341, 707.255.0299; Fax: 707.255.0260; email: info@mfcellars.com; website: www.meyerfamilycellars.com. Call for hours. |
| Route 128 Winery | 22130 Mountain House Road ; Hopland CA 95449; Phone: 707.696.0004; email: info@route128winery.com; website: www.route128winery.com |
| Yorkville Cellars | 25701 Highway 128, Yorkville CA 95494; Phone: 707.894.9177; Fax: 707.894.2426; email: yvcellars@pacific.net; website: www.yorkvillecellars.com. Open daily summer 11-6, winter 11-5. |
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 Petite Sirah is grown in Dos Rios
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Explore Petite Sirah in the Mendocino County AVA. Click on the links below to learn more about Petite Sirah in those AVAs.