Mendocino divides naturally between coast and inland vineyards. The coast favors delicate Pinot Noir and sparkling wine, while inland growers have kept old-vine diversity because they faced less pressure to replant with Cabernet Sauvignon. Anderson Valley is a Mendocino appellation known especially for Pinot Noir and Alsace varieties. Its Pinot Noir is recognized for being sleek and powerful. Across the area, Mendocino wines can bring together fruit, earth, alcohol, acid and tannin.
Elsewhere in California · North Coast
Continue through the region
- Lake & Inland North1 producerWithin California's North Coast, Lake & Inland North is anchored by Lake County's high elevations, sun, volcanic soils and cold winters. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are associated with its elevated volcanic sites.
- Marin & Solano3 producersMarin & Solano sit within the broad North Coast AVA, alongside Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma. Geography and climate vary across the appellation, so there is no single regional wine style.
- Napa80 producersNapa is a narrow, dry Mediterranean valley where Cabernet Sauvignon sits alongside a broad range of grapes. Its internal appellations matter, as does the difference between mountain fruit and fruit from the valley floor.
- Sonoma15 producersSonoma's 19 AVAs stretch from warmer Cabernet country to cool-climate Riesling, with plenty of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay between. Russian River Valley fog and the bright, moderate style linked to the West Sonoma Coast show the range within the county.
Producer profiles
Producers in Mendocino
- 1000 Stories VineyardsHopland label that created the bourbon barrel-aged wine category with its 2014 Zinfandel release.
- Bonterra VineyardsOrganic winery in Mendocino County, California, certified since 2000 and farming regeneratively with USDA organic and climate neutral credentials.
- Roederer Estate/Bon VivantRoederer Estate makes traditional-method sparkling wine from eight Anderson Valley sites; Bon Vivant Brut is a separately documented California Chardonnay–Pinot Noir bottling.