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, this event pairs oysters with sparkling wine. Over 25 of Mendocino’s top sparkling wine producers will feature their products, complemented by live entertainment and oysters from the Hog Island Oyster Company.
- Crab Cake Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition: In downtown Fort Bragg, local chefs will compete with their crab cake creations. The event starts with a wine competition, followed by a culinary display and judging.
- Cioppino Dinner: The Little River Inn will host a family-style dinner, serving seafood, local Dungeness crab, and shellfish in a tomato base, paired with local wines and microbrews.
- County-Wide Seafood Feasts: Restaurants from Ukiah to Elk will serve seafood dishes, including chowders and sushi. Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg will offer sustainably caught seafood in a working harbor environment.
Participating local wineries include Brashley Vineyards, pairing wood oven pizzas with Anderson Valley wines like White Pinot Noir and Riesling. Pennyroyal Farm will release a new sparkling reserve and join the Crab Cake cook-off. Scharffenberger Estate, Wentworth Vineyards, and Handley Cellars will also feature special events and wine releases.
This festival celebrates local seafood and wine, highlighting Mendocino County’s commitment to sustainable practices and its culinary and viticultural heritage.
