Regions › California › Mendocino

Mendocino County

California's green wine frontier, organic and biodynamic pioneers on the cool North Coast.
61Wineries
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Best Varietals
Pinot Noir, Sparkling
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Peak Season
Sept - Nov
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Climate
Cool coastal valleys
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Location
2.5 hrs N of SF
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Avg Tasting Fee
$15-$40
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🤓 Did You Know?
Mendocino County has a higher percentage of certified organic and biodynamic wine grape vineyards than any other California wine county, a distinction earned through decades of small-farm environmental commitment.

About Mendocino Wine Country

Mendocino County is California's most organically farmed wine region, over half of the county's vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic, a legacy of the back-to-land movement that drew farmers here in the 1970s alongside the county's deep environmental ethos.

Anderson Valley, in the coastal hills west of Ukiah, is the crown jewel. The valley's narrow, fog-filled corridor produces Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer of extraordinary elegance, cool enough for sparkling wine production at Roederer Estate, and structured enough for Littorai and Goldeneye to produce benchmark California Pinot.

Inland, the Redwood Valley, Ukiah Valley, and Potter Valley warm considerably, producing powerful Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet from organically farmed old vines. The county is navigated in two distinct zones: the coastal Anderson Valley with its wine tourism infrastructure in Boonville and Philo, and the warmer inland valleys around Ukiah and Hopland.

Viticultural Areas

All Mendocino Anderson Valley Redwood Valley Ukiah Valley Potter Valley Yorkville Highlands Cole Ranch Covelo Dos Rios McNab Ranch

Winery Profiles

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Sub-Appellations & Districts

🍇 Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley is Mendocino's crown jewel, a remote, fog-laced valley near the coast that produces world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine. 28 wineries listed.
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🍇 Redwood Valley
Redwood Valley is the warm, inland heart of Mendocino winegrowing, home to old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards. 9 wineries listed.
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More Mendocino County Guides

Best WineriesBudget GuideDog-Friendly WineriesFirst-Time Visitor GuideFood and Wine PairingHarvest SeasonHidden GemsRomantic GetawayWeekend GuideWine Tasting Guide

Mendocino County Planning Guides

AVA GuideCouples GuideDog-Friendly WineriesFirst-Timer GuideFood and Wine PairingHarvest SeasonWine Buying GuideWine Tasting Guide

More on Mendocino County

Affordable Wine TastingBest Chardonnay ProducersBest Gewurztraminer in Anderson ValleyBest Outdoor Tasting in MendocinoBest Pinot Noir in Anderson ValleyBest Sparkling WineBest Wineries in HoplandBest Wineries in the Yorkville HighlandsDog-Friendly WineriesFamily-Friendly Mendocino WineriesHidden Gem WineriesMost Romantic Mendocino WineriesNatural WineOrganic and Biodynamic Wineries in MendocinoSustainable and Organic WineriesWineries with Food Pairing

More Mendocino County Wineries

Balo VineyardsBrutocao CellarsElke VineyardsKnez WineryLonder Vineyards

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mendocino County known for?

Mendocino is a rugged, diverse county where cool coastal Anderson Valley excels at Pinot Noir, sparkling wine, and Alsatian whites, while warmer inland areas around Ukiah and Redwood Valley produce Zinfandel and Cabernet.

Why is Mendocino known for organic wine?

Mendocino has one of the highest concentrations of organic and biodynamic vineyards in California, a reflection of its independent, land-focused growing culture.

What are the main sub-regions?

Cool, fog-influenced Anderson Valley contrasts with the warmer inland valleys of Redwood Valley, Ukiah, and Potter Valley.

When is the best time to visit Mendocino?

The remote, scenic wineries are best explored on clear days in late spring through fall, when coastal fog burns off in the afternoons.