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Top 10 Wineries in Mendocino County

Lexi profile pictureLexi•May 10, 2024

Anchor Bay and Gualala are located in Mendocino County just about 3.5 miles away from each other. They are known for their vibrant art communities, their scenic views, and their top-notch wineries. If you are visiting the area, you can easily make a day of visiting the wineries for tours, private tasting appointments, or just to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.

There are various wineries in the area to choose from. Here are some you won’t want to miss.

Fort Ross Vineyards

Photo by Fort Ross Wineyards

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 24.5 miles

  • Location: Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room, 15725 Meyers Grade Rd, Jenner, CA 95450

  • Phone: (707) 847-3460

  • Website: https://www.fortrossvineyard.com/

This vineyard focuses on Pinot Noir but also makes excellent Chardonnay and Pinotage wines. They offer an Estate Tasting Room which is open for limited reservations. Contact them to book a 90-minute seated food and wine tasting experience.

Fort Ross Vineyards is owned by Lester and Linda Schwartz and was established in 1994. Despite critics telling them that their vineyard was too close to the ocean, they found their land had the potential to grow excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They source the finest Pinotage bud wood and grapevine cuttings to develop their products.

Hirsch's Vineyards

Photo by Hirsch's Vineyards

Hirsch’s Vineyards has been named of the Top 100 Wineries by Wine and Spirits Magazine. Their East Ridge Pinot Noir has been featured on the cover of Wine Spectator. They have gotten stellar reviews from wine critic James Suckling.

They pride themselves on growing fruit and making site-specific wine that is rich in balance and consistency. They welcome guests to book a visit to their tasting room. All visits are private, and reservations are required.

Arnot-Roberts Winery

Photo by Arnot-Roberts Winery

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 63 miles

  • Location: Arnot-Roberts, 33 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448

  • Phone: 707-433-2400

  • Website: https://www.arnotroberts.com/

Arnot Roberts was founded by two friends who started making wine in their basements. They went on to source grapes from some of the best vineyards in California. Their mission is to produce wines that are distinctive and highlight the unique features of the area in which they are grown.

They host tastings outside in their small production winery by appointment only. You can become a member to get wine delivered to your door monthly.

Littorai Winery

Photo by Littorai

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 65.6 miles

  • Location: 788 Gold Ridge Road Sebastopol, CA, 95472

  • Phone: (707) 823 - 9586

  • Website: https://www.littorai.com/

Littorai is a small, family-owned winery. They produce world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The owner Ted Littorai was selected as Winemaker of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle. He has also been nominated for the James Beard Award as Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year multiple times.

Their winery overlooks 30 acres of scenic Sonoma Coast hills and sits on their environmental, self-sustaining farms. They welcome visitors for tours and tastings. Appointments must be scheduled in advance.

Mariah Vineyards

Photo by Mariah Vineyards

Mariah Vineyards is a family-owned winery. Owners Dan and Vicki Dooling have been tending the land for over 40 years and have worked to make a sustainable farm that produces top-notch grapes. Their wines express the acidity of their soil, the freshness of the environment, and the fruit flavors cultivated by the heat of the sun.

Although they do not have a designated tasting room, they host tastings on their patio. They also have an online wine shop where you can buy their Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir.

Note that this winery only opens on select dates during the summer. Be sure to check their website for updated hours.

Annapolis Winery

Photo from Unsplash

The Annapolis Winery is a small family-owned and operated Winery. Their vineyard sits on a scenic hilltop surrounded by redwood trees. They practice sustainable farming practices and follow a ‘less is more’ ethic allowing grapes to develop naturally.

Their winery is open from noon to 5 PM daily welcoming guests for tastings and picnics. It is also available for weddings and events. If you can’t make it down, you can shop wines on their website including their sparkling wine, their Pinot Noir, their Cabernet Sauvignon, their apple wine, and their Gewurztraminer.

Goldeneye Winery

Photo by Goldeneye Winery

Goldeneye Winery is a family-owned winery specializing in the production of Pinot Noir. Although they had been producing wines since 1990, they didn’t open the winery until 1996. It sits on an 80-acre ranch near the headwaters of the Navarro River providing the perfect climate for grape growing.

Guests are welcome to come by for outdoor tastings that take place on their grounds among the rolling hills and redwood forests. Heated tents are available. They also host dinner events that feature wines hand-picked from their private library.

Toulouse Winery

Photo by Toulouse Winery

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 48.9 miles

  • Location: Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, 8001 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466

  • Phone: 707-895-2828

  • Website: https://www.toulousevineyards.com/

The Toulouse Winery is a family-run business that prides itself in using sustainable farming practices. They start with healthy green grapes grown on land which is optimally conditioned for fine winemaking. All wines are bottled on-site and tended to with great care.

The winery sits on 160 acres of land dotted with redwoods and towering oaks. Their tasting room is open daily, and reservations must be made in advance. You can also buy from their online wine store which offers a tasteful selection of red and white wines and wine accessories.

Lula Cellars

Photo by Lula Cellars

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 52.5 miles

  • Location: Lula Cellars, 2800 Guntly Rd, Philo, CA 95466

  • Phone: 707-895-3737

  • Website: https://www.lulacellars.com/

Lula Cellars prides themselves in developing the finest Pinot Noir and other single batch offerings. The boutique winery sits on a 22-acre property that offers favorable growing conditions. Their customer-friendly philosophy sets them apart.

Their tasting room offers stunning views of the surroundings and growing areas. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. The tasting experience is just $10, and the fee will be waived if you buy a bottle of wine. Wines can also be purchased on their website and include a variety of Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.

Seebass Family Wines

Photo by Seebass Family Wines

  • Distance from Wander Anchor Bay: 40.1 miles

  • Location: Seebass Family Wines Tasting Room, 14077 CA-128, Boonville, CA 95415

  • Phone: 707-895-9378

  • Website: https://seebassfamilywines.com/estate

This vineyard is located in the Mendocino Appellation in an area where beaches, coastlines, and forest lands meet. The wines are made in small lots and are known for providing high-quality tastes. They continue to impress discerning critics year after year.

Guests are welcome to visit their beautiful tasting room to sample their Chardonnays, Merlot, Syrahs, Zinfandel, and Rose all of which are sourced from their 100+-year-old vines. Wine can be enjoyed inside by the fireplace or outside on the patio or veranda. Wines can also be purchased from their online store.

If you are a wine lover, you won’t want to miss out on a trip to Wander Anchor Bay, which sits in the middle of tons of local wineries that Mendocino County is known for. With so many vineyards to visit and wines to taste, paradise is only a few clicks away!

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