The Anderson Valley
The Anderson Valley is an American Viticultural Area located in Mendocino County 10-15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The area has wide temperature fluctuations with cool nights and mornings and warm days meaning sometimes the difference between the daily high and low temperatures can be as much as 40-50 degrees. The elevation in Anderson Valley ranges from sea level up to 2500 feet. As a result, the Anderson Valley is the perfect place for growing Pinot Noir and Alcace Varietals which include Pinot Gris, Pinto Blanc, Riesling and Gewurtztraminer.
There are 27 bonded wineries in the Anderson Valley and 20 tasting rooms. For a listing of Anderson Valley wineries and their hours of operation visit www.avwines.com. The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association also hosts three big wine events every year; The Pinot Noir Festival the third weekend in May, The International Alsace Varietals Festival in mid-February and Winesong a Pinot Noir Barrel Tasting in mid-September. For information on these events and to purchase tickets visit www.avwines.com/events
The Anderson Valley has a quaint country feel and is a great place for a weekend getaway. There are numerous tasting rooms, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and there is also the Anderson Valley Brewing Company if you want to try some handcrafted beers. I highly recommend a visit to the Anderson Valley, especially if you love Pinot Noir !
