CALIFORNIA–Mendocino

MENDOCINO COUNTY*    @Entire County

  • WHITE= Chardonnay 28%, Charbono, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Cortese, Friulano, Gewurztraminor, Muscat, Riesling, Rousanne, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon 17%, Pinot Noir 12%, Barbara, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Carignan, Charbono, Counoise, Dolcetto, Gamay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Syrah, 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.
  • 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, Parducci, Pax Mahle, Ryme, Saracina, Waits-Mast
    • Vineyards-(Not Located In Delimited AVA.)– 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, Hopland Ranches, McNab Ranch(371ac.), Oppenlander, Perli(HVS.), Piffero(HVS.), Populis(HVS.), Recetti(HVS.), Sanel, Testa, Thomas T. Thomas, Venturi, Wentzel, Woodenhead, Zeni(HVS.)

**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* 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”, SLOPES/ Coast Range
    • On~Russian~River~Pacific~Ocean~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Gravel-loam, Scree
    • Soil Series- –Redvines Series–
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences, +RAIN: 51 in./ yr.
    • *Summers– Cool Coast, Warm Inland   |   *Winters– Cold, Rain
  • VINICULTURE- 17,000 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- **Refer to “Mendocino County’s” For Estate/ Producers.
  • 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 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
  • 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, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio
  • RED= Counoise, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, 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)  (15 mi. Long & 2 mi. Wide)
    • CITIES-Boonville, Elk, Mendocino, Navarro, Philo
    • Sub-Zones– DEEP END– Cooler North-Western Valley Closer to Pacific Ocean
      •  WEST RIDGE         EAST RIDGE           BOON   
      • MID/POLEEKO           CAHTO RIDGE TERRACES
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Anderson(Transverse)”
    • East of Mendocino Mountain Range, +Alt. 2,000ft.
    • On~Anderson/ Rancherias/ Indian/ Soda Creeks~Tributaries~Navarro~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Terraces Along Navarro River/ Tributaries
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences, Coolest AVA. In Mendocino
  • VITICULTURE- 2,040 ac. Planted
  • VINICULTURE- Sparkling- Roederer, Scharffenberber, Lichen
    • Estates/ Producers- Ant Hill, Balo, Domaine Anderson, Drew, Edmeades, Fel, Foursight, Father & Daughters, Goldeneye, Greenwood Ridge, Handley, Husch, Jason Drew, Kosta Browne, Lazy Creek, Lichen(Sparkling), Lioco, Littorai, Long Meadow Ranch(68ac.), Lulu, Navarro, Roederer(Sparking/ Co-National), Rudius, Scharffenberger(Sparkling), Spell, Toulouse, Waits-Mast
      Vineyards- Abel, Akins Family, Alder Springs, Breggo, Cerise, Charles, Confluence, Dach(17ac.), Day Ranch, Deer Meadows, Demuth, Donnelly Creek, Edmeades, Ferrari-Carano, Ferrington, Gowan Creek, Green Ranch, Hacienda Secoya, Kiser, Maggy Hawk, Moonglow, Morning Dew, The Narrows, Pinoli, Romani, Roma’s, Savoy, Skycrest, Slow Lopen, Wending, 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.

YORKVILLE HIGHLANDS* AVA.     @Yorkvile

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Symphony, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Camernere, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, In Mendocino AVA.,  @Hw.#128
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Coast Range, +Alt. 2,200ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Gravel
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 401 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Judson Hale, Lone Oak, Maple Creek, Meyer Family, Pendleton, Theopolis, Ve Vin, Yorkville Cellars
    • Vineyards- Cot, Halcom, Randle Hill, Rennie, Valenti Ranch, Wattle Creek, Weir

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”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 3,200ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Gravel
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 26,260 ac./ 120 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Masut
    • Vineyards– Golden, Linholme, Sea Biscuit South, Turan

REDWOOD VALLEY* AVA.     @Redwood Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, 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)”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 400ft.
    • On~Lake~Mendocino~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • 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- “Rolling/ Valley(Potter)”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 1,000ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, +Diurnal Shifts(+35°)
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influence, Many Micro Climates
  • VITICULTURE- 86 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Blue Quail, Kimmel, McFadden(Blue Quail), Manoir Girard, Naughty Boy

COLE RANCH AVA.      @Ukiah

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Riesling
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#253
    • In Mendocino AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 1,600ft.- 1,800ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 150 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers- Esterlina Vineyard “Monopole”

McDOWELL VALLEY AVA.     @Hopland

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Grenache Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Souzao, Syrah, Touriga Nacional
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Mendocino, COUNTY-Mendocino, @Hw.#175
    • In Mendocino AVA., Sub-Zone- Sanel Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Valley(McDowell)”, SLOPES/ ?, +Alt. 1,000ft.
    • On~Russian~River~
  • 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%, Merlot, Malbec
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, North Coast(North-West),  @Hw.#101(East)
    • BORDERS-Alexander Valley AVA.(Laps/ South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mayacamas Mountains, +Alt. 2,400ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Gravel-Loam/Volcanic Sub-Soil
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Maritime” Influences
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
    • Sub-Zones- ROUND VALLEY          WILLIAMS VALLEY   
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 12 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers-

**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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goldeneye Estate In Anderson Valley AVA.