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Hopland Wine Trail - Mendocino County
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This Mendocino wine region runs along Highway 101
between Hopland and Willits. Hopland, a town all of three blocks long, is the hub of
this wine country. Within that stretch of three blocks Hopland boasts six tasting rooms, two
gourmet restaurants, and the historic 1890 Hopland Inn. The Hopland wine area is bounded by
several valleys with various climates conducive to growing a wide range of grape varietals.
A backroads drive will lead to beautiful vineyards in the Senal Valley, Redwood Valley, and
Potter Valley among several others.
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Winery Descriptions, Driving directions, Tasting Room Hours
Milano Family Winery
A mile south of Hopland, the Milano Winery is tucked away on Highway 101.
The old wooden structure fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape.
It once was a working hop kiln. The winery sources their grapes from local
growers and all must be organically farmed. The winery also produces some rare
varietals such as Charbono and Carignane. Those also have some offbeat labels
such as the Kick Ass Red. We thought the Kick Ass Red was the best of
the wines we tasted, although the Syrah was also a delight. You can picnic
here and also see a couple of goats and turtles that are housed on the premises.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m daily.
(707) 744-1396,
Milano Winery
Graziano Tasting Room, Hopland
We think you get the biggest bang for your buck at the Graziano tasting room in Hopland.
There are four distinct labels, each representing a different style of wine.
We tried several wines and we liked them all. Prices are mostly under $20
and the quality is very good. Winemaker Gregory Graziano is the veteran
winemaker and does consulting winemaking for several nearby small wineries.
The tasting room is very small but this is Hopland, not Napa. If you go there,
be sure to try the Rose wines. They are dry, fruity, and excellent with a variety
of foods. The Italian varietal wines are unique and a change of pace from the usual.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m daily.(707) 744-8466,
E-mail: info@grazianofamilyofwines.com, Graziano Winery
McDowell Tasting Room
McDowell has the coolest looking tasting room both outside and in.
The building is over 100 years old and looks like an old west saloon.
McDowell specializes in Rhone wines made from their estate vineyards
in the McDowell AVA. This AVA is small and tucked away just below
Clear Lake. The tasting room provides a very relaxed atmosphere for
wine tasting and there are many interesting items for sale. The Syrah is tops.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m daily.
(707) 744-8911, McDowell Vineyards
Brutocao Cellars Tasting Room
The winery actually has two tasting rooms, one in Hopland and
the other in the Anderson Valley along Highway 128.
The Hopland tasting room is located in the old Hopland
High School. They have turned the place into quite a
faciltity. There is a cafe where you can dine, memorabilia
displayed on the walls, and many goodies for sale.
The best part about this winery is the outside area.
There are three beautifully manicured Bocce ball courts.
Enjoy a glass of the Brutocao Sauvignon Blanc with a fun game of Bocce.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m. daily.
(707) 744-1664, e-mail: info@brutocaocellars.com, Brutocao Cellars
Jeriko Estate
This a full functioning winery with a beautiful tasting room
just about 2 miles north of Hopland. The winery until recently
was owned and operated by Dan Fetzer and Linda Fetzer.
Shortly after our visit in the Spring of 2007 the winery
was sold to Brunton Vineyards, Inc. The new owners plan to
increase production from 25,000 cases to 100,000 cases of wine.
Currently, there are nine varietals of wine produced from the
Jeriko Estate vineyards. As is the case with all Fetzer
family owned wines, the vineyards are organically farmed.
Their sparkling wine is the only sparkling wine produced from
organically farmed grapes. We liked all the wines we tasted
but thought the Pinot Noir and the Rose were standouts.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m.
(707) 744-1140, e-mail: info@jerikoestate.com,
Husch
Fife Vineyards
Fife Vineyards is located in one of Mendocino's premiere wine
appellations, the Redwood Valley. It is beautiful country up
this way and as long is you are in the area you should visit at
least one Redwood Valley winery. We visited several wineries in
the Redwood Valley, and this is far and away the best choice for
the wine country visitor. The tasting room is open daily and not too
far away from Highway 101. The wines are excellent and there is a picnic
area that overlooks Lake Mendocino. They make one Rose wine and the rest
are reds, with Zinfandel leading the way. To get to Fife from Hopland,
drive 20 miles north and take Highway 20 to Upper Lake. Drive about
two miles and turn left onto Road A. Watch for Road B and then turn
right onto Road B. Go down Ricetti Lane and you will see the entrance
for Fife Redhead Vineyards.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 p.m daily.
(707) 485-0323, e-mail: info@fifevineyards.com, Handley
Note on Jepson Winery
Jepson was recently purchased and the tasting room is currently closed.
When you travel in the Hopland area you will probaby
see signs on the highway for Jepson or pick up brochures
listing Jepson's tasting room hours.
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