Bonnie Butcher named executive director of Mendocino Winegrowers Inc.
Mendocino Winegrowers Inc. (MWI) announces the appointment of Bonnie Butcher as its new executive director. Butcher brings a wealth of experience in event management, sales, and strategic planning to her new role.
Diverse experience to lead MWI
With a diverse background in hospitality and event planning, Butcher is poised to drive MWI’s mission of promoting and advancing the Mendocino County… Read the rest
Upcoming Wine Events
AO Asado – May at Alta Orsa Winery
May 11, 2024, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
An outdoor cookout event featuring grilled meats and vegetables, dessert pairings, and tastings of three single-vineyard wines. Includes a vineyard tour with winemaker Martin Bernal-Hafner and discounted wine bundles for takeaway. General admission is $30, and club member admission is $20. Alta Orsa Winery… Read the rest
Frey Vineyards: blending tradition with innovation
A harmonious blend of old and new
Wandering through the newly reconstructed Frey Vineyards winery in Mendocino County’s Redwood Valley, one can’t help but marvel at the synergy between state-of-the-art technology and age-old winemaking traditions. Jonathan and Katrina Frey, pioneers in organic and biodynamic wine, have cultivated more than just grapes; they’ve nurtured a philosophy. “Our customers are looking for… Read the rest
The Wine Industry’s Dirty Little Secret
Lodi Growers posted a “must read” for winegrowers, shedding light on a little-discussed issue in the California wine industry: the large-scale importation of foreign bulk wine. In 2022 alone, California wineries imported nearly 68 million gallons of foreign wine, even as local grapes remained unharvested due to claims of excess inventory. This growing trend, fueled by global wine oversupply and… Read the rest
Anderson Valley Wine Events
As the Mendocino wine community blossoms into 2024, we’re thrilled to announce a series of events that highlight the distinct flavors and spirited camaraderie of our region. Our picturesque Anderson Valley, renowned for its unique terroir and exquisite wines, is set to host two signature events that encapsulate the essence of our wine culture.
White Wine Weekend: A Sparkling… Read the rest
Seafood & Sips Mendocino
This event, set for Jan. 26 to Feb. 4, 2024, highlights Mendocino County’s 90 miles of Pacific coastline, over 90 wineries, and 12 diverse American Viticultural Areas. The county, known for its high percentage of organic and biodynamic vineyards, offers a blend of coastal and wine experiences.
Key events include:
Sparkling Wine & Oyster Celebration: At Saracina Vineyards in Hopland,… Read the rest
Introduction to Viticulture course in Ukiah
Christopher C. L. Chen, Ph.D., an integrated vineyard systems advisor from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, announced he will be teaching an Introduction to Viticulture course at Mendocino College’s Ukiah Campus this spring semester. The course, coded AGR 111, is designed for vineyard workers, supervisors, managers, and home or hobby viticulturists.
The class, offering small size and… Read the rest
Sonoma State University Launches Online Wine Entrepreneurship Program
Sonoma State University’s School of Business and Economics, in collaboration with the School of Extended Education, is introducing a specialized Wine Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. Aimed at individuals interested in the wine industry, the program offers comprehensive coverage of key business and entrepreneurial aspects in this sector.
Scheduled from Feb. 7 to March 27, 2024, the eight-week online course will delve… Read the rest
2023 Mendo Wine Competition Results
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The 44th annual wine competition held at the Mendocino County Fair has awarded five different wineries with the prestigious “Best of Show” winners title. The fair, which took place in Hopland, saw 195 wines from 36 wineries submitting entries to the competition.
Among these, Boonville’s Pennyroyal Farm stood out, winning two of the Best of… Read the rest
Cole Ranch: A California Vineyard with a Jura Heartbeat
In Mendocino County near Ukiah, Cole Ranch might be the nation's smallest American Viticultural Area (AVA), but its impact is pronounced, driven by its soil, history, terrain, and the hands that tend to it.
From Forgotten Gardens to Organic Wines: The Campovida Story
In the oak-covered foothills of Hopland, in eastern Mendocino County, you'll find a unique property called Campovida. This farm and winery isn't just a place; it's a testament to vision, resilience, and community.
Paul Dolan: A Visionary’s Legacy in Mendocino County’s Wine Landscape
The wine industry of Mendocino County, and indeed the broader Northern California region, has lost one of its most influential figures. Paul Egan Dolan III, a trailblazer in sustainable winemaking, passed away on June 26, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to shape the region’s viticulture for generations to come.
Born in Oakland, California, in 1950, Dolan’s roots… Read the rest
Guinness McFadden: Pioneer of organic winegrowing and farming in Mendocino County
Guinness McFadden. McFadden Farm photo.
Guinness McFadden, founder and owner of Blue Quail Wines and McFadden Farm in Mendocino County’s Potter Valley, is a pioneer in organic wine growing and farming.
McFadden began farming 50 years ago when he purchased an old farm in Potter Valley. “I didn’t know a thing about farming. I was trying to find a place… Read the rest
Pennyroyal Farm
Nestled in the hills of Boonville in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, Pennyroyal Farm is a farmstead dairy and winery specializing in sustainability and organic farming practices.
The Theopolis Vineyards Diversity Fund: A step towards a more inclusive wine industry
California trial lawyer Theodora R. Lee, also known as Theo-patra: Queen of the Vineyards, first envisioned having her own vineyard in the 1980s while enjoying fine wine at the homes of her law firm partners.
Chase Vineyards, Redwood Valley
In a slice of grape-growing heaven called Redwood Valley, just north of Ukiah, you will find Chase Vineyards nestled between oak groves and other multi-generational farms.
McNab Ridge Winery
McNab Ridge Winery’s tasting room on Highway 101 in Hopland is a comfortable, elegant space in an updated historic building. The newly redecorated tasting room includes a dog-friendly back patio and fire pit. Here, you can sample various Mendocino County-grown and produced wines, from the McNab Ridge Family Reserve to “Fun Bunch” favorites like Zinzilla. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet… Read the rest
Nelson Family Vineyards
Happy Holidays from your friends at Mendocino Winegrowers! We wish you and your family a wonderful season, with good times and good wine.
We are farmers, winemakers, and artists — free thinkers who value our land, our people, and our independent lifestyle. Welcome to Mendocino County!
Tasting Room Manager Sharon Loupy. Lark Coryell photo.
550 Nelson Ranch Rd, Ukiah, CA… Read the rest
Featured Member: Brashley Vineyards
Brashley Vineyards is a family-owned winery and tasting room located in the heart of Anderson Valley in Philo, CA. Brashley sources a majority of their grapes from their own 10 acres of Pinot Noir from their Hacienda Sequoia and Bevel Vineyards.
They recently opened their newly remodeled tasting room on Highway 128, formerly operated y by Brutocao, and acquired the… Read the rest
Featured Member: Alta Orsa Wines
Hopland’s Alta Orsa is the story of the land, the vision and labor of their small team – led by winemaker Martin Bernal-Hafner. The story is centered on a holistic approach to farming. They practice no-till farming, minimal organic sprays, cover cropping, no tractors between the rows, and no herbicides under the vine. This philosophy preserves the unique sense of… Read the rest
