Roederer Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $20-100

  • Main varietals: Sparkling

  • Tasting fee: $20, only waived for members

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.9

I’ve been getting more into sparkling wines as I’m learning how versatile it is to pair with any food! It’s not only for celebrations but a great sipping wine for any day, time, or occasion. I haven’t done a ton of tastings to compare different types sparkling wines (would definitely be a fun at-home tasting!) so it was treat to visit Roederer in Anderson Valley on the way to Mendocino. Their N.V. Brut Cuvee is widely distributed and available at places like Costco but here you get to taste Magnums, sparkling Rosé, and extra dry sparkling. My favorite part was doing a side by side of the Magnum and a regular 750ml of the same exact wine. Because traditional method of making sparkling wine means transformation from a still to a sparkling wine occurs entirely inside the bottle, Magnum definitely tastes different and I actually liked it better!

More about Roedere: Website, Yelp , IG

Twomey Anderson Valley

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $40-100

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Merlot, Cab, Sauvignon Blanc

  • Tasting fee: Two different flights $15 or $40, waived with two bottle purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

Twomey is one of the larger wineries, part of the Silver Oak with multiple tasting rooms throughout Napa and Sonoma. Tasting room in Anderson Valley focuses more on Pinot and have a more affordable tasting option compared to ones in Napa. We stopped by on a whim on our way to Mendocino and so glad we did. The ground is adorable with tasting area filled with flowers and nice view of the vineyard. We ended up purchasing a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and one of their older vintage Merlot (2013) and to our surprise got two of their wine glasses as a gift!

More about Twomey: Website, Yelp , IG

Navarro Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $20-55

  • Main varietals: Variety of whites, reds (Pinot, Cab), and dessert wine

  • Tasting fee: Complimentary tasting!

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

This adorable spot with a beautiful outdoor patio area and expansive vineyard view used to offer complimentary bar tastings pre-COVID (they are currently closed for tastings but offer bottle pick-ups). They are super friendly and fun and wines are just as great. Can’t remember the last time I visited a winery with complimentary tasting (regardless of purchase) but I ended up buying multiple bottles anyways! Even if it isn’t complimentary, it’s well worth the visit if you will be driving through Anderson Valley

More about Navarro: Website, Yelp, IG

Thumbnail image from Navarro's official IG

Goldeneye Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $35-85

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Whites, Sparkling

  • Tasting fee: $15. waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

Goldeneye is part of a larger winery family with Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Decoy in Napa. You start your tasting with a glass of Rose and their flight usually includes 3-4 different types of Pinot + few additional pours of sparkling and higher-end Pinots if they have them opened. Front of the winery and the garden on the side is adorable but the view when you get to the tasting area in the back is so pretty.

More about Goldeneye: Website, Yelp, IG

Lichen Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $25-65

  • Main varietals: Pinot, Whites, Sparkling

  • Tasting fee: $15

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

This is a cute little family owned winery in Anderson Valley on the way to Mendocino from SF. Lots of wineries with Pinot but Lichen is a fun spot where you can find unique Pinots, whites, and sparkling. White Pinot, multi-vintage blend of Pinot, Blanc de Noir sparking from pinot to name a few.

More about Lichen: Website, Yelp, IG