The Wine Bar at the Inn features the superb varietals grown in Mendocino County, with a focus on our neighboring Anderson Valley. You can enjoy a glass of wine and delicious hors d'oeuvres either at the beautiful forest green granite bar, in the Great Room in front of the fireplace, or on the first floor common deck overlooking Smuggler's Cove and the Pacific Ocean.
Make your next trip to Mendocino a wine tasting excursion. We have 40 wineries located in our county from Redwood Valley near Ukiah to the Anderson Valley on
Route128. Some of these vines were planted as long ago as the1860s and are now our “old vine” red wine jewels. There are few areas in the world that offer as much varietal variety as Mendocino County.
Our Mendocino County wines have been gaining recognition over the past few years, and rightfully so, with Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Merlot coming from both old and new plantings. Some of our favorite stops along 128 wine corridor are Yorkville Cellars, Navarro Vineyards and Anderson Valley’s oldest winery, Husch.
There are wonderful blends, such as Navarro’s Navarrouge that combines Zinfandel, Valdiguie, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto to a soft pallet-pleasing rich warmth. Yorkville Cellars blends Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and imaginatively named it Eleanor of Aquitane. Her companion, Richard The Lionheart, is a big red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot. Navarro’s Mendocino Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are two favorites to go with urban rustic hors d’oeuvres. North of Mendocino and right on the edge of coastal bluffs is Pacific Star Winery where you can sample a fine Viognier.
These are a few of the wines we are currently featuring during our evening wine hour. Mendocino’s independent winemakers love to do-their-own-thing and produce amazing results. Come and taste what these creative wine crafters have to offer.
As your concierge I will be happy to plan a wine tour just for you, complete with our special backpack picnics!
Jo An Stickle, General Manager
For the wine connoisseur or those who wish to know more about Mendocino's viticultural areas, here is some information from For more detailed descriptions, please visit www.avwines.com and www.mendowinecom.
Wine Routes
Three wine routes cross slopes and valleys where small producers are tucked along country roads. One north of Fort Bragg perches over the Pacific. Of the thirty-five wineries, 25 have tasting rooms with regular hours. All of them are available by appointment, an experience that brings out the owners and winemakers to involve you in their stories, their livelihood and their wines.
Hopland/Sanel Valley/McDowell Valley: In the southern Russian River Valleys, a dozen wineries around Hopland offer tastes of robust petite sirah, signature cabernet and among the state's best old vine zinfandel, plus excellent wines representing heritage Italian and Rhone varietals. In addition, you'll find one of the two Mendocino-made cognac-quality brandies in this region.
Ukiah/Redwood Valley: Valley grown chardonnay, hillside reds and another of Mendocino's cognac-quality brandy, are produced where the first Mendocino wineries were established. From north of Ukiah to Redwood and Potter Valleys, organic vineyards proliferate and small producers stand out for their individualized winemaking styles and stories in this northern Russian River Valleys region.
Yorkville to Anderson Valley: Renowned for pinot noir and dry Alsatian style gewürztraminer, Anderson Valley is also an excellent place to find methode champenoise sparkling wines. Tasting room decor ranges from a showcase of international folk art to a rose-covered converted chicken coop, from an art filled bungalow to a taste of France, from goats in the front yard to a collection of wine cans on display.
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