How to Visit Mendocino County Wineries

Less well known than Napa or Sonoma Counties, Mendocino County in Northern California is home to a host of vineyards that thrive in the region's temperate, coastal climate. Mendocino County, located a little over two hours north of San Francisco, boasts 50 wineries, many of which offer tours and tastings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Explore the Anderson Valley Wine Trail. The Anderson Valley, located between Boonville and Mendocino along the Navarro River, is home to ten wineries. Among the most popular are Navarro Vineyards, Husch and Greenwood Ridge.

2. Travel the Hopland Wine Trail. Located along Highway 128, between Hopland and Willits, the Hopland Wine Trail is home to six diverse wineries. Included are Fife Vineyards, Jeriko Estate Winery and Milano Winery.

3. Plan a picnic. Many of the Mendocino County wineries have sweeping lawns and offer picnic tables for visitors. Among the most scenic are the Fife Vineyard, with its view of the Redwood Valley and Lake Mendocino, and the Greenwood Ridge Winery, with its view of the Navarro River.

4. Stay overnight at a bed and breakfast inn. Mendocino County is known for its many unique bed and breakfast inns. Spend the night along the craggy California coastline in Elk; stay at Heritage House in Little River, where the movie, "Same Time Next Year" was filmed or check into the Boonville Inn, in the heart of the Redwood Forest.

5. Visit the town of Mendocino. Take a break from wine tasting by visiting the coastal town of Mendocino. The former lumber center is filled with Victorian-style shops and homes, eclectic restaurants and a large number of art galleries.