Winter / Spring 2008

Mendocino County

America's Greenest Wine Region

Mendocino County, one of the nation’s most spectacularly diverse appellations, has attracted visitors to its backroads wineries for decades. Aficionados have always pursued the limited production Mendocino heritage vine Zinfandels and small-lot Cabernets from the warmer interior valleys of the Coast Range. Alsatian varietals, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines from the Anderson Valley all have loyal followings. More recently, Potter Valley is being recognized for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, tiny productions of Johannisberg Riesling, and a few other varietals. The dramatic unspoiled beauty of the Mendocino coastline has drawn visitors to small inns and superb restaurants for a century. And just north of Fort Bragg, poised above the Pacific, the nation’s western-most winery is at home at the edge of the continent.

Now Mendocino County is gaining renown as America’s greenest wine region. Twenty percent of the county’s vineyards are CCOF and Demeter-certified organic and biodynamic. Many of the remaining vineyards are certified sustainable, and that trend may well include every vineyard by the end of the decade.

No other appellation in the world has such a diverse blend of eco-systems from seaside on the Pacific Coast, to Russian River and Eel River watersheds. Vineyards grow right to the edge of redwood forests in places like the Yorkville Highlands. Near Ukiah and Hopland, vineyards share the valley floor and hillsides with majestic oaks and grazing cattle, sheep, deer and elk.

This is the home of true farmers, people who have been on the same land for as many as five generations. It shows in the commitment to sustainability that is based on an expectation that the next five generations will be in the same place.

The sensibility is reflected in a series of firsts in the region: Mendocino County is the only county in the nation that passed a measure to outlaw GMO’s (genetically modified crops). The town of Ukiah has a certified organic brewery. The nation’s first certified organic goat farm on the coast produces excellent cheeses. And several ranches are raising certified organic beef, lamb and hogs. Smaller farms are dedicated to apples, pears and vegetables. Ladybugs and bees thrive, and there are many tiny honey producers. Potter Valley produces certified organic olive oil and herbs. The Pacific yields superb crab, salmon and rock cod. All marry perfectly with grapes and wines of the region. These are the healthy flavors of Mendocino County.

Wineries from Napa and Sonoma have long known the quality of Mendocino County wine grapes. Watch for wines from Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries carrying the Mendocino County name on the front label. Buy them knowing you are getting a great bottle of wine and supporting people farming in harmony with the land. Plan a trip to the region this year around one of the many food and wine festivals held annually.

Please visit mendowine.com and gomendo.com for more information.