Anderson Valley Wineries (Back to overview)
Anderson Valley wineries are best known for their delightful Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine. The region also produces some varietals that you might not expect from such a cool region.
Navarro Vineyards
Navarro Vineyards is a small, family owned winery. Founded by Ted Bennett in 1974, Navarro has a dedicated following. They make particularly good botrytis cinerea or “noble rot” wines.
Esterlina Vineyards
Esterlina Vineyards is a family owned winery located in the town of Philo within the Anderson Valley AVA. The Sterling Family has been farming grapes for several generations.
Handley Cellars
Handley Cellars was founded in 1982 by Milla and Rex Handley. They currently produce about 14,000 cases a year and vinify a number of different grape varietals. Handley's Syrah and Late Harvest Riesling are particularly good.
Claudia Springs Winery
Centrally located in the Anderson Valley AVA, Claudia Springs Winery is one of the true gems of Mendocino County. They have won medals for every single vintage that they have produced since their inception in 1989.
Husch Vineyards
Tony Husch founded Husch Vineyards in 1971, making it the first bonded winery in the Anderson Valley AVA since Prohibition.
Breggo Cellars
Breggo Cellars was established by Douglass Ian Stewart and Ana Lucia BenÌtez-Stewart. Douglass grew up on his family’s farm in Sonoma, and has been surrounded by grape growing and winemaking since he was young.
Roederer Estate
In 1983, Jean-Claude Rouzaud established Roederer Estate in the Anderson Valley AVA. Mr. Rouzaud already owned of the legendary Roederer Champagne House in France.
Christine Woods Winery
Among the first settlers in the Anderson Valley, John and Elizabeth Gschwend gave birth to a daughter named Christine. Local legend has it that she was the first white child born in the Anderson Valley.
Black Kite Cellars
Located in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley AVA, Black Kite Cellars specializes in Pinot Noir. The winery is located near the Navarro River which runs the length of the valley and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Elke Vineyards
Elke Vineyards was founded by Mary Elke. She began growing grapes in Napa Valley, but another region soon caught their eye. Because the conditions of the Anderson Valley closely resembled Burgundy, Elke knew that Pinot Noir vines would thrive in there.
Goldeneye
Established in 1997, Goldeneye focuses on Anderson Valley Pinot Noir from its four estate vineyards. An amazing 23 different clones are planted on these properties. The winery is owned by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn.
Gryphon Wines
Gryphon Wines is a Pinot Noir specialist that is based in the Anderson Valley AVA. The winery produces an Estate and Estate Reserve Pinot Noir as well as a crisp Chardonnay with no malolactic fermentation.
Harmonique
Harmonique is located in the western part of the Anderson Valley AVA. Owners Robert Klindt and Bruce Conzelman specialize in Pinot Noir grown in the cool local climate. Their wines include "The Noble One" and "Delicace."
Londer Vineyards
In 1999, Larry and Shrilee Londer established Londer Vineyards in the Anderson Valley AVA. The winery has received impressive accolades over the past few years, especially for Pinot Noir.
Philo Ridge Vineyards
In 2001, Fred R. Buonanno and Heather A. McKelvey established Philo Ridge Vineyards in the hills of the Anderson Valley AVA. Buonanno and McKelvey bought their gorgeous, 40 acre property in 1999.
Scharffenberger Cellars
Scharffenberger Cellars is a sparkling wine producer based in the Anderson Valley AVA. Established in 1981, the winery was known as Pacific Echo between 1998 and 2004. The label has since been reverted to Scharffenberger once again.
benbicais said:
Thanks for the suggestion masters. I'll write an article about Esterlina Vineyards and post it soon!
Posted 655 days ago.
masters said:
Should stop at Esterlina Vineyards too.
Posted 657 days ago.
joeb said:
im going to have to try those.
Posted 736 days ago.
benbicais said:
The Edelzwicker is a delicious and affordable blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. I agree, Captain D, that tasting in Anderson Valley is a great change of pace from Napa. Handley Cellars and Christine Woods Winery are fun stops as well.
Posted 736 days ago.
parker said:
I have been up to Navarro too. I remember trying the Edelzwicker or something like that. I think it was a blend of Gewurtz and Reisling...very crisp and tasty for around 10 bucks.
Posted 736 days ago.
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