CALIFORNIA–Mendocino

MENDOCINO IS–  AVA- 14     @Ukiah

  • WHITE= Chardonnay 28%, Charbono, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Cortese, Friulano, Gewurztraminor, Grunner Veltliner, Malvasia, Muscat, Riesling, Rousanne, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Vert AKA=Friulano, Semillon, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 17%, Pinot Noir 12%, Barbara, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Carignan, Charbono, Counoise, Dolcetto, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Montepulciano, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Valdiguie, Zinfandel

GEOGRAPHY– STATE-California(North-West), COUNTY-Mendocino

  • BORDERS-Sonoma County(South), Lake County(East)
  • Sub-Zones/ AVA.’s– Anderson Valley AVA., Cole Ranch AVA., Eagle Peak AVA., Mendocino Ridge AVA., McDowell  Valley AVA., Pine Mountain Cloverdale Peak AVA.(Laps), Potter Valley AVA., Redwood Valley AVA., Yorkville Highlands AVA.
  • Un-Official AVA.’s- Talmage, Ukiah Valley

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Russian~River~Pacific~Ocean~

  • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 250ft.- 3,000ft.

SOILS–  “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”

CLIMATE– “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influence, Many Micro Climates

  • *Summers– Warm, Long   |    *Winters– Cold, Wet,  +Diurnal Shifts(+40°)

VITICULTURE– ac./ ac. Planted

CULTURE– ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Mendocino Winegrowers~

**Refer to “CALIFORNIA/ Overview” For Detailed Information On California as a Wine State.

**Mendocino Images Courtesy of “Delong Maps”, Purchase These Maps at Delongwine.com

MENDOCINO COUNTY*    @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Information
  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “MENDOCINO COUNTY”, Wine Produced Non-Conforming to a AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers-(Not Located In Delimited AVA.)– Baxter, Bonterra, Graziano, Hidden Cellars, Jaxon Keys, Jeriko, Knez, Kivel Stadt, Minus Tide, Pax Mahle, Ryme
    • Vineyards-(Not Located In Delimited AVA.)– Alder Springs(120ac.), Bartolomei, Berry(HVS.), Bliss, Blue Heron, Buddha’s Dharma, Butler Ranch, Byne, Claire’s, Colombini(HVS.), Comptche Ridge, Cooley Ranch, Cox, Demuth, Docker Hill, Eagle Point Ranch, Enlightenment Mountain, Feliz Creek(HVS.), Fox Hill, Fred & Dora, Gibson Ranch(HVS.), Guido Venturi, McNab Ranch(371ac.), Oppenlander, Perli(HVS.), Piffero(HVS.), Populis(HVS.), Recetti(HVS.), Sanel, Testa, Thomas T. Thomas, Venturi, Wentzel, Woodenhead, Zeni(HVS.)

MENDOCINO* AVA.     @Ukiah

  • WHITE=   |   RED= “Almost Everything”,  **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Varietal Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#20/ #101/ #128/ #253
    • North of Sonoma County, “Multi-Appellation”, LATITUDE: 39.1° ‘N‘
    • Sub-AVA.’s- Anderson Valley AVA., Cole Ranch AVA., McDowell Valley AVA., Potter Valley AVA., Redwood Valley AVA., Yorkville Highlands AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Russian~River~Pacific~Ocean~
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Gravel-loam, Scree
    • Soil Series- –Redvines Series–
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences, +RAIN: 51 in./ yr., Fog
    • *Summers– Cool Coast, Warm Inland   |   *Winters– Cold, Rain
  • VINICULTURE- 17,000 ac. Planted
  • CULTURE- GASTRONOMY… Dungeness Crab  |   CHEESE… Chanterelle

MENDOCINO RIDGE AVA.     @Elk

  • WHITE= Albarino, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#253
    • (36mi. Long), “Non-Contiguous(12)”, On~Pacific~Ocean~(Near/ 9mi.)
    • Sub-Zones- Fish Rock Ridge, Greenwood Ridge, Manchester Ridge, Signal Ridge
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, Above/ Between Anderson Valley & Pacific Ocean
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range/ Mendocino Ridges, +Alt. Above 1,200ft.(Vines to 1,900ft.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Sandstone, Shale
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” INFLUENCED/ Fog, Elevation, Many Micro Climates
    • Coolest AVA. In Mendocino
  • VITICULTURE- 84,400 ac./ 233 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Arista, Baxter(E.), Carlisle, Dashe, Drew(E.), Dutch, Ferrari-Carano, Greenwood Ridge(E.), Kutch, Mariah, Phillips Hill(E.), Wentworth, Woodenhead
    • Vineyard- Arietta-Dupratt, Baker Ranch(5ac.), Ciapusci(HVS./1878/10ac.), Copper Queen(4ac.), DuPratt(HVS./1916/12ac.), Faite de Mer Farm, Field Station Ranch, Fashauer, Francis(9ac.), Gianoli, Greenwood Ridge(11ac.), Highlands, Manchester Ridge(29ac.), Mariah, Perli(39ac.), Philo Crest, Sky High Ranch, Signal Ridge, Valenti, Waits-Mast, Wentworth(6.5ac.), Zeni
  • HISTORY- 1878- First Vines Planted by Italian Immigrants.
    • 1997- AVA. Officially Established.
  • CULTURE- Referred to “Islands In the Sky” Referring to the Way the Not-Contiguous Vineyards Sit Above the Fog.

ANDERSON VALLEY* AVA.     @Navarro

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grunner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Semillon
  • RED= Counoise, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#128
    • In Mendocino AVA., North of San Francisco-City(100 mi.), LATITUDE: 39° ‘N‘
    • On~Coast/ Pacific~Ocean~(Near/ 10- 15 Miles)  (15mi. Long & 2mi. Wide)
    • CITIES-Boonville, Elk, Mendocino, Navarro, Philo
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Anderson(Transverse)”
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 250ft.- 2,000ft.
    • On~Anderson/ Rancherias/ Indian/ Soda Creeks~Tributaries~Navarro~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Terraces Along Navarro River/ Tributaries
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences, +Diurnal Shifts(+35°), Fog
  • VITICULTURE- 2,040 ac. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- Sparkling- Roederer, Scharffenberber, Lichen
    • Estates/ Producers- Ant Hill, Balo, Bee Hunter, Bergin-Sopila, Brashley(10ac.), Cakebread(47ac.), Copain, Domaine Anderson, Drew, Edmeades, Father & Daughters, Fel, Foursight, Goldeneye, Greenwood Ridge, Handley, Husch, Jason Drew, Kosta Browne, Lazy Creek, Lichen(Sparkling), Lioco, Littorai, Long Meadow Ranch(68ac.), Lulu, Macphail, Navarro(81ac.), Pennyroyal Farm(23ac.), Philo Ridge, Rhys(33ac.), Roederer(Sparking/ Co-National), Rudius, Scharffenberger(Sparkling), Spell, Twomey(38ac.), Toulouse, Waits-Mast
      Vineyards- Abel, Akins Family, Bearman Bend, Breggo, Cerise, Charles, Confluence, Dach(17ac.), Day Ranch, Deer Meadows, Demuth, Donnelly Creek, Edmeades(53ac.), Ferrari-Carano, Ferrington, Gowan Creek, Grant Family(4ac.), Green Ranch, Hacienda Secoya(2.5ac.), Helluva, Joshua’s, Kiser, Knez, Langley(3ac.), Maggy Hawk“Estate”(58ac.), Monument Tree, Moonglow, Morning Dew, The Narrows, Nelson Hill, Pinoli, Rhys(33ac.), Romani, Roma’s, Savoy, Skycrest, Slow Lopen, Toulouse, Valley Foothills, Wending, Wentworth, Wentzel, Wiley
  • CULTURE-
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Anderson Valley Winegrowers~
      • Mission~ Supporting the Region Grape Growers and Wineries While Promoting the Regions Wines.
    • PIONEERS~
      • ~Walter & Rhoda Anderson~ 1851, Planted Vineyard In Anderson Valley.
      • ~Dr. Donald Edmeades~  Lead a Modern Movement of Wine Producers.
      • ~Tony & Gretchen Husch~ Lead a Modern Movement of Wine Producers
    • FESTIVALS~ ~International Alsace Varietals Festival~ (February)
      • ~Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival~ (May)
    • WINNER “Worlds Best”~ DtheV.com Awards “Best American AVA.”  (5th. Place)
      • **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.
  • SUB-ZONES Of ANDERSON VALLEY
    • DEEP END– Cooler North-Western Valley Closer to Pacific Ocean.
    • WEST RIDGE         EAST RIDGE           BOON   
    • MID/POLEEKO           CAHTO RIDGE TERRACES

YORKVILLE HIGHLANDS* AVA.     @Yorkvile

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Symphony, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Camernere, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, In Mendocino AVA.,  @Hw.#128
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 2,200ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Gravel
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 401 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Artevino Maple Creek, Judson Hale, Lone Oak, Maple Creek, Meyer Family, Mountain House, Pendleton, Theopolis, Ve Vin, Yorkville Cellars
    • Vineyards- Cot, Halcom, Hawks Butte Ranch, Lost Creek, Old Chatham(15ac.), Randle Hill, Rennie, Valenti Ranch, Vine View(6ac.), Wattle Creek, Walsh(3ac.), Weir
  • CULTURE- 1998 AVA. Officially Established

EAGLE PEAK AVA.     @

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino
    • In Mendocino AVA.(North), BORDERS-Redwood Valley AVA.(South-East), @Hw.#101
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, On~Mill~Creek~
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 3,200ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Gravel
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 26,260 ac./ 120 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Masut
    • Vineyards– Golden, Linholme, Masut(35ac.), Sea Biscuit South, Three Streams, Turan
  • CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Eagle Peak Referres to Eagle Peak Mountain.

REDWOOD VALLEY* AVA.     @Redwood Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Colombard, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Barbera, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Valdiguie, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#101
    • In Mendocino AVA.(North)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Redwood)”, On~Mill~Creek~/ On~Lake~Mendocino~
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 400ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences, +Diurnal Shifts(+40°)
  • VITICULTURE- ? ac. Planted
    • America First Certified Biodynamic Producer. (Frey Vineyards)
    • Mendocino Has an Extensive Culture of Organic and Biodynamic Agricultural.
  • VINICULTURE- ?
    • Estates/ Producers- Barra, Chance Creek, Cole Bailey, Elizabeth, Farmstrong(Nat.Pro.), Fetzer, Folk Machine, Fife, Frey*, Girasole, Giuseppe, Lolonis, Masut, Oster
    • Vineyards- Avian Science, Hawkeye Ranch, Home Ranch, Lolonis(106ac.), Martinson Ranch, Pauli Ranch, Redwood Valley(HVS.), Rosewood, Silversmith

POTTER VALLEY AVA.      @Potter Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Gewurztraminor, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#20
    • In Mendocino AVA.(North)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Valley(Potter)”
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 1,000ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, +Diurnal Shifts(+40°)
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influence, Many Micro Climates
  • VITICULTURE- 86 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Blue Quail, Kimmel, McFadden(Blue Quail), Manoir Girard, Naughty Boy

UKIAH VALLEY AVA. (Un-Official)    @Ukiah

  • WHITE= Arneis, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
  • RED= Garnacha, Malbec, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Northern California, COUNTY-Mendocino(North)
    • In North Coast AVA.(North-West), @Hw.#101
    • Ukiah Valley is an Un-Official AVA. Within the Greater Mendocino AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling? Hilly”, On~Russian~River~
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. ?
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 12 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Brutocao, Campovida, Dunnewood, Fetzer, McNab Ridge, Neslon Family, Parducci, Rivino, Saracina
    • Vineyards- Hopland Ranches

COLE RANCH AVA.      @Ukiah

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#253
    • In Mendocino AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/”
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 1,400ft.- 1,800ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 150 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Esterlina Vineyard(55ac.), “Monopole”, Rootdown
    • Vineyards- Cole Ranch

McDOWELL VALLEY AVA.     @Hopland

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cinsaut, Garnacha, Mourvèdre, Souzao, Syrah, Touriga Nacional
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#175
    • In Mendocino AVA., Sub-Zone- Sanel Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Valley(McDowell)”, On~Russian~River~
    • SLOPES/ Coast Mountain Range(Mendocino Range), +Alt. 1,000ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”,  Soil Series– –Hopland Seriers–
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 540 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- McDowell Valley Vineyards“Monopole”
    • Vineyards- Blue Heron Ranch, Bucklin

PINE MT. CLOVERDALE PEAK AVA.     @Cloverdale

  • WHITE= Chardonnay 9%, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, North Coast(North-West),  @Hw.#101(East)
    • BORDERS-Alexander Valley AVA.(Laps/ South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains, +Alt. 1,600ft.- 3,000ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Gravel-Loam/Volcanic Sub-Soil
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
    • Vineyards Located Above Fog-Line
  • VITICULTURE- 310 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Imagery, Oak Ridge Ranch, Pine Mountain, Silverwood, Tin Cross

NORTH COAST AVA.   @Mendocino  

  • WHITE=   |   RED= “Almost Everything”, **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, Northern California
    • COUNTIES-(AVA. Laps)Lake County, Napa County, Sonoma County
  • VITICULTURE– Labeled– “NORTH COAST” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Grapes Can Source From Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake and Napa Counties.

DOS RIOS AVA.     @Dos Rios

  • WHITE= Chardonnay
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Northern California, COUNTY-Mendocino(North)
    • In North Coast AVA.(North-East), @Hw.#162
    • West of Covello AVA.(5mi.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, On~Eel/ Middle Fork of Eel~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 16 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Vin de Tevis(6ac.)
  • CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Dos Rios Meaning 2 Rivers Referring to the 2 Rivers In AVA.

COVELLO AVA.     @Covello

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
  • RED= Garnacha, Mencia, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Northern California, COUNTY-Mendocino(North)
    • In North Coast AVA.(North-West), North of Ukiah-City(45 mi.), @Hw.#162
    • East of Dos Rios AVA.(5mi.)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 12 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers-
  • SUB-ZONES Of COVELLO
    • ROUND VALLEY         
    • WILLIAMS VALLEY 

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.

“The Photo Gallery”

Roederer Estate In Mendocino AVA.

Old Vine Vineyards In Redwood Valley AVA.