Destination of the Week

Mendocino . . . just two hours from San Francisco.

Mendocino is one of the most beautiful of the California wine regions. Located north of Sonoma County, it offers picturesque towns perched on the Pacific, soaring forests of redwoods, winding roads snaking through the mountain highlands and, of course, vineyards and wineries.

Actually Mendocino is about as far north as you’ll find those vineyards in California . . . and, frankly, you have to want to get there! It’s about 100 miles and two hours from San Francisco. But it’s worth the trip to walk the quant streets of Ukiah or to simply watch the ocean waves crash on the rocky cliffs that form the coastline.

Small is the operative word. B&B’s and Inns are the predominate accommodations and the wineries are typically small production facilities. You won’t find the bustle of Napa Valley and even Sonoma can seem relatively urban by comparison.

Mendocino has long been a place for both escape and discovery… escape from the hectic pace and pressures of Bay Area city life and the discovery of unspoiled northern California living. It’s no wonder that many artists make their home here. Water, mountains, foggy shorelines… all the natural wonders are here and complemented by the peacefulness and quiet. Maybe it’s history as a counterculture refuge is also the reason why organic winemaking has taken such a hold here too. Free-spirited, independent minded winemaking seems the norm. There is an artisan quality about the wine.

Here are some terrific links to help you plan a Mendocino wine country escape and discovery of your own.

Mendocino Wine Country

Mendocino.com

Mendocino Wine Tasting

Frey Wine

Bonterra

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