Mendocino

Overview

Mendocino County stretches from the Pacific Ocean eastward into the Coast Range, a largely mountainous and forested landscape with vineyards concentrated in river valleys and coastal ridges. The Anderson Valley AVA is the best-known subregion, a cool, fog-filled corridor famous for Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and aromatic whites. Inland valleys such as Redwood Valley and Ukiah Valley are warmer and produce robust reds.

The county is a national leader in organic and sustainable viticulture, with a high percentage of certified organic vineyards. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate coastal plantings, while Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Rhone varieties thrive inland. Mendocino Ridge, a noncontiguous high-elevation AVA, produces distinctive old-vine Zinfandel above the fog line.

Key Varietals

• Pinot NoirThe coastal star, especially in Anderson Valley, yielding bright red fruit, earth, and crisp acidity.
• ChardonnayA cool-climate white used for both still wines and traditional-method sparkling wines.
• ZinfandelA historic inland variety producing bold, spicy reds from old vines in warmer Mendocino valleys.
• Cabernet SauvignonA structured red grown in the warmer, sheltered inland sites of the county.