Why We Keep Returning to Anderson Valley
Updated: 56 minutes ago
Anderson Valley is one of those places we keep going back to. It’s beautiful, remote, a little quirky, and much quieter than California’s better-known wine regions. What we really like, though, are the smaller wineries where you can ask questions, hear the stories behind the wines, and sometimes talk with the people actually making them.
We first started exploring this part of Mendocino County while spending time in nearby Ukiah, where we made lifelong friends and got to know the local wine scene. Since then, Anderson Valley has become a regular return trip for us. And we’re definitely not done.
NOTE: We’ll keep updating this post each time we go back and find another place worth sharing.
Our Travel Process
Anderson Valley runs along Highway 128, with wineries scattered around Boonville, Philo, and Navarro. It’s not a place to rush through, which is part of the appeal. One thing we’ve learned: if tasting is your main reason for visiting, staying near Boonville makes things easier. We’ve also stayed on the Mendocino coast, which we love, but it’s about an hour away from many of the wineries.
Also worth knowing: Boonville has its own local language, Boontling. Because apparently being a small California wine town wasn’t distinctive enough.
Navarro Vineyards
Navarro is one of those places that’s easy to like. It’s been in Anderson Valley and family-run since the 1970s, and the whole experience feels relaxed and unfussy. There’s a broad range of wines to try, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Riesling (dry and not), Grüner Veltliner, and their Navarrouge blend. It’s a good place to ask questions, taste a few different styles, and get a feel for the region without feeling like you’re supposed to know everything before you walk in. Their website may feel like it’s from the nineties, but the tasting experience is modern and friendly.
Pennyroyal Farm
Wine and cheese made in the same place? Obviously, we were going. Pennyroyal is part winery, part creamery, and a really fun stop if you want something beyond a standard tasting. We especially enjoyed the barn tour (with goats and sheep!!) and the cheeses made right on the farm. Add some small plates, and it becomes a pretty perfect lunch stop. There’s also a family connection: the winemaker is the daughter of the winemakers at Navarro. You quickly realize Anderson Valley is a small world.
Thomas T. Thomas Vineyards
We started calling Thomas “The Pinot Guy.” That’s because Pinot Noir is very much the focus here. Thomas grows his own fruit, and the vineyard setting makes this an especially interesting stop if you like learning where the wine actually comes from. His interest in winemaking began after a trip to France in 1999, and a visit here feels more personal than polished. That’s exactly the kind of winery experience we tend to remember.
Bee Hunter Wines
This tasting came with puppies. That alone made it memorable, though we eventually did get around to the wine. Bee Hunter offers a broad mix of whites and reds, and the whole experience felt casual and approachable.
Roederer Estate
At some point, you need bubbles. Roederer is one of Anderson Valley’s better-known sparkling wine stops, and the patio has beautiful views over the valley. We did feel a little rushed during our visit, but we enjoyed the wine and the setting. If sparkling wine is high on your list, it’s certainly worth knowing about.
Scharffenberger Cellars
Scharffenberger gives you another chance to explore Anderson Valley sparkling wine, but in a more relaxed setting. The wines are made using the traditional method, which just means the second fermentation that creates the bubbles happens in the bottle. If you’re curious about sparkling wine, tasting here and at Roederer gives you a fun chance to compare.
Goldeneye Winery
Goldeneye is another stop for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and it offers a somewhat different experience from some of the smaller family-run wineries in the valley. They also offer food-pairing experiences, including fondue in the fall. Truly, Pinot Noir and fondue is not a difficult combination to say yes to.
Disco Ranch Wine Bar
Disco Ranch was one of our favorite new finds. It’s funky, casual, and a great place to try local wines you might not come across elsewhere. You can order a glass, get some small bites, and explore without committing to another full winery tasting. Look for wines from Minus Tide Winery, too. There’s another family connection there (Pennyroyal’s tour guide’s brother), because apparently everyone in Anderson Valley really does know everyone.
Get to Know the Wines of Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley’s cool climate makes it especially well suited to Pinot Noir, aromatic white wines, and sparkling wine.
Climate: Cool air and coastal fog help grapes ripen slowly while keeping their acidity.
Key Grapes: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are important here, along with aromatic whites such as Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.
Wine Styles: You’ll find plenty of Pinot Noir, fresh whites, and sparkling wine.
What to Expect: Compared with warmer parts of California, the wines often lean toward freshness and acidity rather than big, ripe fruit.
Worth Knowing: Anderson Valley is remote, and that’s part of what makes it appealing. Tasting experiences can feel smaller, quieter, and much more personal.
Try This: Don’t limit yourself to Pinot Noir. Try one of the whites or sparkling wines too. It’s an easy way to see how much variety comes out of this little valley.
For us, Anderson Valley isn’t about checking wineries off a list. We like having time to talk to people, try something unfamiliar, eat some cheese, wander around a vineyard, and learn a little more while we’re there, which is probably why we keep going back.
Hillary Tucker is a WSET Level 2 wine professional currently working toward Level 3, and the founder of Grape Curious, where she makes learning about wine approachable, practical, and fun. She helps curious people understand what they’re tasting, discover what they like and why, so they can trust their own taste.
Through the Grape Curious blog, Hillary also shares wine tips and travel experiences, often highlighting smaller wineries she visits with her family, where relaxed settings, personal conversations, and casual learning make discovering wine even more enjoyable.
Want to learn more about wine in person? Explore Grape Curious’ private wine classes.
