Wineries
Wineries on The Mendocino Coast and Nearby
Just a short and scenic drive from The Anchor Lodge in Fort Bragg lies Anderson Valley, one of California’s most celebrated yet refreshingly low-key wine regions. Known for its cool coastal climate, Anderson Valley is ideal for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsatian white varietals like Gewürztraminer and Riesling. The valley’s location—nestled between redwood forests and the Navarro River—offers a unique terroir that yields wines with bright acidity and complex aromatics.
If you’re coming from Fort Bragg, the drive along Highway 128 takes you through redwood groves and pastoral landscapes before opening up into vine-covered hills. Your first stop might be Navarro Vineyards, one of the region’s most iconic and visitor-friendly tasting rooms, known for their Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, and non-alcoholic grape juice tastings. Just nearby, Handley Cellars offers a welcoming outdoor garden space and a focus on organically farmed estate wines.
Heading southeast into Philo, you’ll find Toulouse Vineyards, where rich, earthy Pinots are poured from a hilltop tasting room with sweeping valley views. Nearby Goldeneye Winery, operated by the same team behind Duckhorn, focuses exclusively on high-end Pinot Noir crafted from estate-grown fruit. Other worthy stops include Scharffenberger Cellars for sparkling wine and Husch Vineyards, the oldest winery in the valley, with a rustic tasting room in a converted pony barn.
For travelers seeking lesser-known gems, boutique operations like Phillips Hill Estates, Londer Vineyards, and Elke Vineyards offer tastings by appointment. These smaller wineries often deliver some of the most memorable experiences, with winemakers pouring and storytelling firsthand.
To make the most of your visit, check hours and tasting policies in advance—some wineries require reservations, while others welcome walk-ins. Anderson Valley remains delightfully uncrowded, especially midweek, making it perfect for a relaxed, personalized wine country experience just under an hour from the coast.
