24 Best Sights in The North Coast, California

Lofty valley views and deftly crafted wines, the latter often sipped under a cork oak, are among this 160-acre boutique winery's lures. The vineyard team uses "regenerative" techniques such as no-till farming, which increases the soil's organic matter, to grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Winemaker Martin Bernal-Hafner taps Sonoma County sources for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Reservations are a must.

Gently made wines from Italian and Rhône varietals grown in Mendocino County organic, biodynamic, and sustainable vineyards are Campovida's focus. The historic 56-acre estate—previous owners include a local railroad magnate and the Fetzer wine-making clan—opens to the public on weekends, with the downtown tasting room ( Stock Farm, 13441 S. U.S. 101) an option four days a week.

Four generations of the Charles family have farmed the land that produces this winery's vegan-friendly, all-estate lineup of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir (aka rosé), and Pinot Noir. With the Pinots, winemaker Joe Webb employs various techniques to produce four very different wines, from the light Zero, aged solely in used oak barrels, to the "richer, riper" Paraboll, its flavors heightened by new French oak. After a tasting, you can picnic outside the casual wood-frame tasting room, enjoying a glass or bottle.

Vintner Douglas Stewart takes pride in his contrarian views about farming and winemaking. Bucking accepted California wisdom, he planted his vines tightly together, mimicking French practices, and with his sparkling wine—of Pinot Gris rather than Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir—he selects only the high-quality middle portion of the initial press. Stewart earned raves from influential critics and a loyal following for his initial Pinot Gris and later for two sparklers, a rosé, and several Pinot Noirs.

Fun, relaxing, and pet-friendly Lula is among the Anderson Valley wineries closest to the coast. Lula produces Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and a red blend, but the several Pinot Noirs, each flavorful and with its own personality, are the highlights.

At this ranch with a contemporary-barn tasting room and vineyard-view patio, you can sample Sauvignon Blanc, velvety Pinot Noirs, and other wines paired with award-winning artisanal cheeses made on the premises from goat and sheep milk. Engaging farmstead tours pass through the barn and by the creamery; the adorable animals win most guests' hearts. Reservations are required for the tour and suggested for tastings, though walk-ins for the latter are accepted when possible.

Guests at this boutique winery's contemporary, stone-and-glass hospitality center enjoy views of landscaped outdoor picnic and tasting areas and the olive grove and vineyards beyond. The excellent Lolonis Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc's organic grapes come from California's oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines, planted in 1942. Standout reds include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and the Soul of Mendocino blend. Hosts conduct combination cave and vineyard tours on Friday and weekends. 

Curved support beams swoop upward to a central peak at this winery, whose tasting space is as dramatic as the hospitality is down-home. The room sits amid a vineyard containing organically grown Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and several other grapes. The founding family's deep Mendocino roots and early adoption of sustainable practices are among the topics discussed at indoor and outdoor tastings.

Winemaker Andy DuVigneaud of Bee Hunter prefers vineyards close to the ocean because the cool climate requires grapes to stay longer on the vine, preventing them from ripening before their flavors fully develop. His delicious output, poured with enthusiasm in a former car repair shop, includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, dry Riesling, rosé of Pinot Noir, several Pinot Noirs, and a few other reds.

Lean yet flavorful Humboldt County Pinot Noirs are the specialty of this winery set amid the trees. In good weather, the low-key tastings take place in front of the weathered original winery building. Guests sip Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or other whites before sampling Pinots and perhaps Syrah or Zinfandel. Briceland hosts tastings on summer weekend afternoons and by appointment at other times.

Family-owned Brutocao produces Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon along with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Some of these wines, plus ones from Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Primitivo, are poured in Hopland's 1925 former high school building, whose outdoor areas have picnic tables and regulation boccie courts.

The Russian River and Highway 116 snake west from Guerneville through redwood groves to the coast, where Highway 1 twists north past rocky cliffs to this windswept ridgetop winery. Many experts deemed the weather this far west too chilly even for cool-climate varietals, but Fort Ross Vineyard and other Fort Ross–Seaview AVA wineries proved that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir could thrive above the fog line. The sea air and rocky soils here produce wines generally less fruit-forward than their Russian River Valley counterparts but equally sophisticated and no less vibrant. With its barnlike tasting room and outdoor patio overlooking the Pacific, Fort Ross provides an appealing introduction to its region's wines. Tastings include small bites (vegetarian options possible). Appointments are required; for same-day visits, call before 11 am.

Established in 1996 by the founders of what's now The Duckhorn Portfolio, Goldeneye makes Pinot Noirs from estate grapes, along with a Brut Rosé sparkling wine, Gewürztraminer, and a blush Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. Leisurely tastings, some by appointment only, take place in a restored farmhouse or on a patio with vineyard views.

Gregory Graziano creates wines for four separate labels, one devoted to Burgundian grapes like Pinot Noir; two to Italian varietals; and the last to Zinfandel, Rhône, and a few other types. Gregory's grandfather planted the winery's oldest Mendocino County vineyard just before Prohibition. The lineup poured in the downtown Hopland tasting space might include Pinot Gris and Arneis whites and Dolcetto and Nebbiolo reds.

International folk art collected by founding winemaker the late Milla Handley adorns the tasting room at this Anderson Valley pioneer, whose lightly oaked Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs earn high praise from wine critics. The winery, which has an arbored outdoor patio picnic area, also makes Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Zinfandel, sparklers, and several others.

A century-old former pony barn houses the tasting room of the Anderson Valley's oldest winery. Founded in 1968, Husch prides itself on its conservation efforts in the vineyard and winery. Wines of note include Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and old-vine Zinfandel. You can picnic on the deck or at tables under grape arbors.

A visit to this family-run winery that opened in 1974 is a classic Anderson Valley experience, with tastings in fine weather on several perches overlooking sustainably farmed vineyards. Best known for Alsatian varietals such as Gewürztraminer and Riesling, Navarro also makes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other wines.

When the sun's out and you're sipping wine while viewing whales or other sea creatures swimming offshore, this bluff-top winery's outdoor tasting spaces feel mystical and magical, but the site's equally beguiling on brooding stormy days. The engaging owner-winemaker, Sally Ottoson, makes whites that include Viognier and Semillon. Charbono, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and a Zinfandel, Barbera, Charbono, and Petite Sirah blend count among the reds. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Anderson Valley is particularly hospitable to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, the two varietals used to create Roederer's sparkling wines. The view of vineyards and rolling hills from the patio is splendid.

Estate Pinot Noir and sparkling and still Pinot rosés are the flagship wines of this Humboldt County producer, which also makes whites and reds from several other Northern California appellations and Oregon's Willamette Valley. The downtown tasting room—exposed beams, white walls, polished concrete floor—and its spacious gravel outdoor patio areas are highly social and family-friendly. 

Don't be surprised to find yourself whiling away a few hours at this warehouse-like operation, whose proprietors grow grapes and olives; tend gardens; display art indoors and out; and care for goats, donkeys, and other rescue animals. The owners (and critters) won't mind if you do: this is a laid-back kind of place. Estate-grown Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are the highlights.