From quiet vineyards bounded by lush redwood forests along the coast of Mendocino County, to the sun-drenched rolling hills of rugged Lake County, the North Coast region has about as varied a wine country as you can get. Start near the Pacific, where summer fog and wet winters make for one of the coolest wine-growing climates in California. Organic and sustainable farming techniques are the norm in this tucked-away corner of the state. You can chat about grapes and grape-growing with local winemakers, who are often the ones pouring the wines in relaxed, unpretentious tasting rooms.
Anderson Valley
On Mendocino County’s west side is one of the North Coast AVA’s most celebrated wine destinations: Anderson Valley (check out this map of the North Coast AVA). Cooled by ocean fog, this 15-mile-wide valley is one of California’s top terroirs for Pinot Noir, and the sublime vintages of that grape produced here have become the valley’s calling card, but its Chardonnays, Gewürztraminers, and Reislings are excellent as well. Goldeneye, Navarro, and Baxter are three of the most well-known Anderson Valley producers in this cluster of vineyards and are must-visits. (It’s partially thanks to its proximity to this standout wine region that the coastal community of Elk was named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the best small towns in America in its Food & Wine category.)
Another reason why the Anderson Valley is a favorite for a certain subset of visitors: It’s holding strong as a haven for wine-loving pet owners in a world where the trend is heading in the opposite direction. Brashley Vineyards in Philo welcomes dogs with treats and the occasional meet-and-greet with Mocha, their resident mini-labradoodle. At Witching Stick Wines, pups can roam a fenced area, while at Foursight Wines, with canine companions for visiting pups and plenty of treats. Goldeneye Winery even offers “bark-uterie” plates for its four-legged patrons, and Lula Cellars’ sprawling estate allows for off-leash fun, including a dipping pond.
Redwood Valley
About an hour’s drive northeast of Anderson Valley is the warmer, red-soiled Redwood Valley, which showcases hearty reds, especially Zinfandel, at such wineries as Testa, Frey, (one of the nation’s first producers of certified organic and biodynamic wines), and Barra. Redwood Valley is also home to Terra Savia Winery, where Argentinian winemaker Sofia Rivier is dedicated to the production of organic wine through sustainable farming methods. These and other properties earned Mendocino County 2024’s America’s Wine Region of the Year award from Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Lake County
Further inland, take in the wide vistas from country roads winding through sunny Lake County, which is home to one of the fastest-growing winemaking regions in the country. Known for impressive Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County has a soil profile very similar to that of its more high-profile neighbor to the south, Napa, but the increased elevation gives the wines here their own characters. Clear Lake, the state’s largest freshwater lake wholly within the state, makes for a striking backdrop as you drive through the region and savor the vintages at wineries like Cache Creek, Ceago Estate Wines, and Laujor Estate.