If you love Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wine, a trip to Anderson Valley to go wine tasting is a must! Located in Mendocino County, around two hours north of San Francisco, Anderson Valley is part of Mendocino Wine Country. The valley stretches from Boonville to Navarro, with most wineries around Philo, CA.
The cooler climate in Anderson Valley makes it an excellent location to grow Pinot Noir and grapes for sparkling wine production. Many of the wineries in Anderson Valley specialize in Pinot Noir and sparkling wine with multiple varities to try on their tasting menus.
Anderson Valley offers relaxed wine tasting with country charm at beautiful wineries and tasting rooms surrounded by redwood forests.
The Anderson Valley Wine Trail is along Route 128 and individual wineries can be several miles apart, so plan for a designated driver and enjoy responsibly.
Please note that some of these experiences listed in this blog post were provided to me at no charge. However, I am under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend experiences I truly enjoyed.
How to get to Anderson Valley Wine Country
Anderson Valley is about 100 miles north of San Francisco. The closest regional airport is Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (about 50 miles away), and the closest international airport is San Francisco Airport (SFO), about 130 miles from Philo, CA. From San Francisco, take Highway US-101 North to Route CA-128 West. Anderson Valley on Route 128.
Where to Stay in Anderson Valley
Only a few hotels/inns are located directly in Philo and Boonville, so plan ahead! Otherwise, you will have a long drive into Anderson Valley from Ukiah or the Mendocino coast to go wine tasting. Some suggestions are:
Indian Creek Inn, CA
Indian Creek Inn offers family-style lodging with private ensuite rooms in “hubs” with a shared common space, including a living room, full kitchen, and dining area. There are a total of fifteen rooms in the inn spread across three buildings on the property. If you want to cook your own meals and don’t mind sharing a kitchen and dining space with other lodgers, this is a great option! Alternatively, if you are traveling with a large group, you could rent one of the “hubs” for your entire group. Indian Creek Inn is located centrally in Philo along Route 128, right amongst the wineries.
The Madrones, CA
The Madrones is a Mediterranean compound conveniently located centrally in Philo along Route 128. The property includes elegant guest rooms, a store, a restaurant, a tasting room, and more. The Madrones also has a sister property called the Brambles, offering additional guest rooms nestled in a Redwood Grove.
The Apple Farm
The Apple Farm is a working apple orchard and farm stand that also hosts guests with a guest room in the main building and three private cabins. The Apple Farm hosts monthly “Saturday Suppers,” cooking experiences, and private parties.
Other Places to stay
The Boonville Hotel and Restaurant
Top Wines to Taste in Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley is best known for it’s Pinot Noir and Sparkling wines. The cooler climate makes it an excellent place to grow both Pinot Noir and the grapes for sparkling wine production. Many of the wineries here produce multiple Pinot Noirs and many also produce sparkling wine as well.
Where to go Wine Tasting in Anderson Valley:
Here ares some of my recommendations for the best places to wine taste in Anderson Valley.
Roederer Estates
Roederer Estates is the California Outpost of Champagne Louis Roederer. You might recognize the name from the famous Cristal Champagne. While you won’t find Champagne at Roeder Estates, as Champagne is only produced in the Champagne Region of France, you will find excellent Traditional Method sparkling wine made from Anderson Valley Grapes. Roederer Estates offers vintage and multi-vintage sparkling wines; some offerings are only available at the winery. They also provide a menu of small bites to pair with the sparkling wines.
Brashley Vineyards
Owned by husband and wife team Bram and Ashley Palm (Bram + Ashley = Brashley) with winemaker Ashley Holland at the helm, Brashley Vineyards is a must-visit in Anderson Valley. They produce single-vineyard white, red, and rose wines, including two Pinot Noirs, a white Pinot Noir, and a Riesling from the Finger Lakes. On Mondays they have woodfired pizza from Chef Sean, and they’ve just started offering winemaker’s dinners paired with their wines. When you visit, make sure to head out outside to get a picture with their giant chessboard!
Toulouse Vineyards
Toulouse Vineyards has the best view of Anderson Valley from their Tasting Room deck. Enjoy a flight of their wines while looking out over the valley floor from their hilltop tasting room. Toulouse Vineyards makes white and red wines and vermouth from their grapes. They also offer wines by the glass. Toulouse Vineyards’ symbol is a goose, and you might see their ducks and goose on the property in the pen across from the tasting room.
Other Wineries in Anderson Valley To Visit
Goldeneye
Goldeneye Winery is part of the Duckhorn portfolio and specializes in Pinot Noir. The tasting room has a beautifully manicured outdoor space and features live music during their summer music series. Goldeneye offers a variety of tasting experiences, including a luxurious caviar and sparkling wine pairing.
Maggy Hawk
Maggy Hawk is located at the “deep end” of Anderson Valley, also known as the North End of the valley. The winery produces four distinctive Pinot Noirs from their Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard.
Handley Cellars
Handley Cellars makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah.Handley Cellars has a beautiful tasting room that also features a collection of international folk art, including Indian, Oaxacan, Balinese, and African folk art on display.
Annual Anderson Valley Wine Events
These annual wine events are organized by the Anderson Valley Wine, the local vintner’s association and showcase some of the best wines of Anderson Valley. These marquee events are a great oppotunity to taste the
Harvest Tidrick Celebration – Nov 4-5, 2023
Harvest Tidrick Celebration is Anderson Valley’s annual harvest celebration. Participating wineries will offer tastings and food.
Pinot Noir Festival – May 17-19 2024
The Pinot Noir Festival is Anderson Valley Wine’s annual celebration of Pinot Noir with over 50 wineries participating.
White Wine Weekend – Feb 17-18 2024
During the annual White Wine Weekend, participating wineries will offer wine tasting and pairings with a focus on white wine and sparkling wine.
Where to Eat Philo, CA
There are only a few dining options in Philo so make sure to plan ahead!
Wicksons, the Madrones
Wicksons Restaurant is part of the Madrones complex and features wood fired cuisine and serves small plates, pizza, and larger entrees as well with a focus on locally sourced foods.
Lemon’s Philo Market
Lemons’ is a family-owned grocery store and a Philo institution. It’s the perfect place to stop and pick up a sandwich and snacks to take wine tasting and to stock up for your hotel room.
Wineries
Many of the wineries offer a menu of small plates, charcuterie boards or light snacks to enjoy along with your wine tasting. Some wineries may offer food on certain days of the week, such as Brashley Vineyards’ Monday Pizza nights. It’s a good idea to check in advance to see if any of the wineries you are planning to visit offer food.
Where to Eat Boonville
It’s a short drive from the wineries into Boonville where there are more dining options.
Lauren’s
Lauren’s is a casual restaurant serving American-fare and more. Open all day Friday through Monday, but only open for dinner on Tuesday through Thursday.
Boonville Hotel Restaurant
Boonville Hotel’s Restaurant is a Michelen guide listed gourmet restaurants located in the Boonville Hotel. Offers fine dining with a weekly changing menu.
Mosswood Market
Mosswood Market is a Cafe and Bakery known for their empanadas and baked goods.
Disco Ranch
Disco Ranch is a wine bar and gourmet market featuring wines from Mendocino and beyond.
Enjoyed this guide? Check out more of my guides on wine travel or follow along on instagram.
