Wine tasting Mendocino Lake area
 

We are planning to spend one day around Mendocino Lake - tasting wines. I need recommendations - which wineries to go to. I have found http://www.fifevineyards.com/
but I am not sure it is the best place...
Please, help!

zebra, that area is called the Redwood Valley. We were there in November 2 years ago and really enjoyed several great wines.Fife makes a blend called "Redhead" which is very good. They have excellent wine and it's a beautiful place with great lake views. A little tricky to find, but worth a visit. You need to first stop outside of Hopland and visit Milano Family Winery. It's easy to find- it's in an old Hop Kiln. They made "Recall Red" for the gov a few years back. Fun place. Then stop in the town of Hopland, there are several tasting rooms, but outstanding is Brutocao (lovely place with a great restaurant) and Mc Dowell- tiny place, but their Potato Patch Syrah is to die for. Then, up the road to Graziano Family Winery and Redwood Valley Cellars, which houses both Barra and Bruno Pauli wineeries. Very cool place, beautiful grounds. That should be enough for a day! Take your time, eat a big breakfast, sip and share tastings. It's a fun area to taste and visit- you'll probably meet many owners and winemakers. Have fun! oh, ps..don't go to Fetzer in Hopland, it's closed.

Thank you, LLindaC!!

Do I have to make reservations for a weekday?
Any other suggestions?

What other suggestions you looking for zebra? YES...there's this little restaurant in Hopland called the Bluebird Cafe which makes the BEST breakfasts. Everyone knows about it- probably makes great lunches, too. You might want to do a picnic at Redwood Valley. If you plan on venturing west into the Anderson Valley, there are many many good wineries along that crazy road. In the middle of Anderson Valley is a tiny town called Philo and on the right is a restaurant called Libby's- the best homemade Mexican food north of the border. But is you are only spending one day in the area, there's plenty to do right there. There's also a Brewing company in Hopland.

ooops- forgot- no, there are no appts needed for the places I suggested. Weekdays will be the best time for going.

Great! Thanks again!

If you do go to Anderson Valley, please visit my favorite brewery in the US...Anderson Valley Brewing Company. We're headed there from DC next month! :)

Will definitely stop at the Brewery.
My husband will not miss it:-)