The Best Anderson Valley Wineries You Should Visit

Are you looking to enjoy the best wineries Anderson Valley, California, has to offer? Great! I can help you with that. I’ve recently visited some of the best Anderson Valley wineries, sat down with a number of leading vintners, and sipped my way through an incredible selection of top-notch Anderson Valley wines. I had a wonderful experience, and I can help you have one too!

Located about 100 miles north of San Francisco, Anderson Valley, CA, runs inland from the majestic Mendocino Coast. The picturesque patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farms, and ranches nestles between tree-studded mountains that rise up to provide a stunning backdrop for this picture-postcard setting.

View from one of the best Anderson Valley wineries, Fathers + Daughters

For California wine connoisseurs, Anderson Valley wines have long been held in high regard. Today, Anderson Valley vineyards offer wine tasting experiences that harken back to simpler times. Perhaps not as simple as the tiny Malibu wine country where I used to live or the Temecula wine region close to my new home in San Diego, but for Northern California, certainly simpler.

Compared to the better-known wine wonderlands of nearby Napa and Sonoma, Mendocino County wineries are nowhere near as crowded, expensive, or commercialized. Mendocino wineries offer proof that top-quality wine can still be served with a warm welcome.

And if you’re planning a visit to Anderson Valley as part of a stay in coastal Mendocino, getting there might well be half the fun. The drive from the water’s edge to the valley floor is awesome.

Mendocino was our base when my husband Michael and I set out to explore the best wine Anderson Valley is currently producing. We started out along Highway 1, which hugs the gorgeous Mendocino Coast, until we turned inland onto Highway 128. Before long, we had traded in the breathtaking views of the Pacific for the living tunnel of California Redwoods that form the backbone of Navarro River Redwoods State Park.

Fourteen miles of giant redwoods and their towering green canopies awed us as we passed through the thick forest that only intermittently allowed dappled sunlight to sneak through. Once we emerged back into full daylight, we were soon greeted by the redwood barns, fences, and signposts of the Highway 128 wineries whose attractive vineyards now lined our route. Wowed by our ride, we were even more geared up to see what Anderson Valley had in store for us.

Redwood forest enroute from the Mendocino coast to Anderson Valley, California — Redwood forest en route from the Mendocino Coast to Anderson Valley, California

About Anderson Valley Wines

The Anderson Valley is not only a beautiful place to enjoy wine, it’s also a wonderful place to make it. The roughly 15-mile-long valley is home to almost 40 wineries, which between them have almost 2,500 acres under vine. (“Under vine” is just winespeak for growing grapes. I’m not always a fan of winespeak, but this term has always struck me as particularly elegant for what it’s conveying, so I always smile inside when someone in the industry uses it. Today, it’s my turn.)

But like every wine-growing region, the Anderson Valley is best suited for specific grapes, and thus certain wines. The best Anderson Valley wineries know this, of course, and specialize accordingly. In this area, Pinot Noir is king. Almost 70% of the vineyards are dedicated to this variety.

Originally from Burgundy, France, this thin-skinned grape is known to be particularly finicky and hard to grow well. It does best in spots not too hot, but sun filled. It also favors cool nights. With its California daytime sun and the cool winds and fog that often blow in from the Mendocino Coast overnight, Anderson Valley is tailor-made for Pinot Noir. And Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs are among the tastiest in the world.

Chardonnay grapes happen to grow well in the same conditions as Pinot Noir, so it’s no surprise that this is the second-most popular grape grown in Anderson Valley. Over 20% of the area’s vineyards are dedicated to Chardonnay production. Delicious Chardonnays abound in Anderson Valley.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also two of the most widely used grapes in making champagne. That’s why Anderson Valley is home to several wineries that specialize in sparkling wine.

Although nowhere near as popular as they were in the early days of viticulture in Anderson Valley, Gewürztraminer and Riesling remain a part of the local wine mix.

Scenic wine tasting area at Lula Cellars Winery in Anderson Valley

Best Anderson Valley Wineries

Anderson Valley wine tasting is a fantastic way to spend the day. Which is the best Anderson Valley winery? That’s up to you. For me, it’s not only about the wine, but the whole experience. With 29 tasting rooms to choose from, you can certainly find plenty places to please your palate and sync with your other senses.

Here are some highlights from my top 3 wineries in Anderson Valley, where you’re sure to not only love the wines but the entire visit. Afterward are some additional Philo wineries that are also well worth a visit.

Fathers + Daughters Cellars

Fathers + Daughters, as you may have guessed, is a family affair. But the name, like most families, is more complex than you might first expect. Fathers + Daughters’ founder, Guy Pacurar, named the winery in honor of his daughters Ella and Taylor. But the name also pays homage to Guy’s wife Sarah and her father, Kurt Schoeneman. Kurt, owner of Ferrington Vineyard, gave Guy and Sarah the go-ahead to use his property’s grapes to make the Pinot Noir named for Ella back in 2012, the year of her birth. Fathers + Daughters has been making wine in the Anderson Valley ever since.

On the day of our visit, we found out that Fathers + Daughters does not have a tasting room; it has a tasting mountain! Upon our arrival, Guy and Sarah drove us up a winding path that started at the vineyard floor and snaked higher and higher until we reached a grassy mountain top with a lone picnic table and a wine barrel.

From there we had a 360° bird’s-eye view that took in the breadth of the Anderson Valley and the tree-clad mountains that rise up from the valley’s edge. And “bird’s-eye” might not even do justice to our vista. On our way up, we actually passed a bald eagle as it took off from a tree in the vineyard. We ended up even higher than our new eagle friend.

Although, sincerely, the views alone would have been worth coming out for, the wines were wonderful. For whites, we tried a 2018 Sauvignon Blanc and a 2020 Chardonnay. Both displayed a delicious complexity. We then enjoyed a 2020 Rosé that tasted like summer in a glass, with its notes of honeydew and grapefruit, and hints of rose petals.

But as impressive as our opening trio of wines were, Pinot Noir is the star at Fathers + Daughters, and we had two shining examples at our tasting. Each highlighted different elements along the spectrum of flavors that fine Pinots can exhibit, including red currant, black cherry, black tea, and leather.

We couldn’t ask for a more delightful array of wines or a more splendid setting in which to enjoy them with our gracious hosts.

Address: 9401 N. Highway 1, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

Anderson Valley vineyards as seen from the “wine tasting mountain” of Fathers + Daughters

Lula Cellars

Lula Cellars is a boutique winery located in what’s known as the “Deep End” of the valley. That’s the end closest to the Mendocino Coast, toward which it slopes. Vineyards in the Deep End most fully feel the effects of the overnight winds and fog blowing inland from the Pacific—the cooling that Pinot Noir grapes enjoy after the sun goes down.

We had the pleasure of meeting Lula’s proprietor, Ken Avery, and tasting room manager, Dan Reed, for a chance to explore some of Lula’s wines at the winery’s outdoor tasting tables. The setting is both laid back and lovely, with seating at the shaded tables offering intimate views of the vineyard.

Ken and winemaker Matt Parish work hard to coax from every vintage the best Pinot Noir possible from the grapes they grow in their ideal Deep End conditions on their 22-acre estate and source from several other carefully chosen spots in the Anderson Valley. The result is a range of Pinots that are routinely rated in the 90s by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and that have been awarded multiple gold medals in various prestigious wine competitions.

We were duly impressed by how universally delicious the wines were, even as each exhibited its wholly unique set of flavors. These included the 2018 Costa Vineyard, 2018 Peterson Vineyard, and 2019 Anderson Valley. Between the beautiful setting, the warm atmosphere, and top-notch wines, Lula serves up not only tremendous Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs but a wonderful outing.

Address: 2800 Guntley Road, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations recommended.

Anderson Valley wine tasting at Lula Cellars

Lichen Estate

We popped in at Lichen Estate on the recommendation of a nearby vintner. Situated on a 203-acre parcel that had formerly been a sheep ranch for 150 years, Lichen planted their first grapes in 2008 and currently dedicate 80% of their vineyard to Pinot Noir and the rest to Pino Gris vines.

On the unseasonably warm day we visited, we were ushered to a couple of comfy chairs under the cooling shade provided by the tasting room’s awning and the trees that bordered the patio. As it turned out, these were our front-row seats to a delicious parade of Pinots.

We started with Lichen’s two sparkling wines: a 100% Pinot Noir and a Pinot Noir/Pinot Gris blend. I love sparklers, and both of these were excellent examples. We next enjoyed a relatively rare offering: white Pinot Noir. White wines from red-wine grapes are often more complex than traditional whites—and so it was with the Lichen. Their white Pinot Noir had white-peach highlights, but with a firmness and richness one wouldn’t usually associate with such a straw-colored beauty. It was a very satisfying surprise.

We rounded out our tasting with two traditional red Pinot Noirs: Lichen’s Moonglow and Estate versions. The Moonglow pleased with its cherry-inflected fruit-forward style. The Estate impressed with its greater complexity and layers of flavors that are sure to develop even more fully with aging.

As our host routinely left us to ourselves between pours to enjoy our wines, Michael and I would remark how incredibly knowledgeable he was and how expertly he handled our questions about not only Lichen’s wines but about various aspects of the Anderson Valley wine world. As it turned out, we should not have been surprised: We had been in the capable hands of Shawn Phillip, Lichen’s assistant winemaker. We could not have asked for a more enjoyable assortment of wines or a more informed guide.

Address: 11001 County Road 151, Boonville, CA 95415. Reservations required.

Sipping Pinot Noir at Lichen Estate winery in Anderson Valley

Popular Anderson Valley Wineries

In addition to our favorites above, Anderson Valley has a wonderful variety of wineries to choose from—far too many to enjoy all in one day. So, either give yourself a couple of days to truly immerse yourself in the area, or whittle down your list to a mix of choices that matters most to you.

Here are some of the valley’s most popular wineries and what appeals to their visitors: And finding your way around is a breeze. Even a quick peek at an Anderson Valley winery map reveals that nearly all of the region’s wineries flank Highway 128.

This Anderson Valley wine list runs from west to east.

Husch Vineyards

Husch is the oldest winery operating in the Anderson Valley. They planted their first grapes in 1968, and they were the first winemakers to place their bet on Pinot Noir as a promising varietal for the area. More than 50 years later, they are still going strong. In addition to Pinot Noir, Husch includes Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, and Gewürztraminers among the 22 wines they currently produce.

Address: 4400 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. No reservation required.

Roederer Estate

Another landmark event in the history of Anderson Valley winemaking was the arrival of the French Champagne house, Roederer. Looking for ideal conditions to expand their production abroad, Roederer bought a 580-acre parcel of land in 1982 and planted their first grapes in 1984. In 1988, they released their first U.S.-made bubbly. Rave reviews followed. To this day, all of Roederer’s sparkling wines are made from grapes grown exclusively on their estate.

Address: 4501 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

Navarro Vineyards

Family owned since 1974, Navarro has been growing grapes and making wine in Anderson Valley for a long, long time. However, their small production means you’ll have very little chance to sample or purchase any of their wines outside of their tasting room. In addition to their Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Pinot Blancs, Navarro also offers delicious alcohol-free grape juices made from both their Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer grapes.

Address: 5601 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations recommended.

Toulouse Vineyards

Vern Boltz and his wife Maxine bought their 160-acre property in 1997, with thoughts of growing grapes in a beautiful setting after having retired from previous careers. However, their first harvest was a bumper crop, and they tried their hand at winemaking. They discovered they had a knack. Today, Vern is still the winemaker, and Toulouse is highly respected for the wide variety of quality wines they produce.

Address: 8001 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

The charming countryside pf Anderson Valley wine country — The charming countryside of Anderson Valley wine country

Scharffenberger Cellars

John Scharffenberger ushered in the era of sparkling wine production in the Anderson Valley in 1981. Using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown on his 120-acre vineyard, Scharffenberger crafted New World California sparkling wine using Old World Champagne methods. His efforts won wide acclaim and showed what Anderson Valley grapes in the right hands could contribute to the world of sparkling wine. Today, people are still gushing over Scharffenberger’s gushers.

Address: 8501 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

Baxter Winery

Following in the footsteps of his winemaker father, Phillip Baxter has been making Baxter wines for over 17 years. His traditional French approach to creating memorable Pinot Noirs is to allow the fruit of each of his vineyards to tell their own story. That means using 100% neutral French barrels that do not impart a lot of their oak flavor to the wines stored within them. Moreover, by allowing his wines to age exceptionally long, Phillip gives them a greater opportunity to develop and express their unique flavors.

Address: 8660 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

Goldeneye Winery

After their enormous success producing widely acclaimed Merlot in Napa, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn set out to find a perfect place to produce Pinot Noir. In 1996, they struck gold, founding Goldeneye on an 80-acre Anderson Valley parcel adjacent to the Navarro River. They have since acquired two additional vineyards in the Anderson Valley. Today, Goldeneye focuses on showcasing how differently the wines from each of their three locations express the distinctiveness of their varied vineyard conditions.

Address: 9200 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

Domaine Anderson Winery

Owned by Roederer, Domaine Anderson grows, and makes exceptional wine from, the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes on their 50-acre Anderson estate. However, these grapes are not blended to produce sparkling wine. Instead, they are individually showcased to make fine Pinot Noir wine and Chardonnay wine in their still forms. The aim is to spotlight the characteristics of the particular vineyards from which each vintage is made.

Address: 9201 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466. Reservations required.

One of the picturesque Anderson Valley wineries

Anderson Valley Wine Tasting Tips

Anderson Valley wineries offer an amazing opportunity to enjoy delicious wines in sublime settings. But be sure to check whether the wineries you’re interested in require reservations for your tastings. Most do! I’ve included the current reservation status at the wineries above, but policies are subject to change.

A positive side-effect of the COVID era in Anderson Valley is that many wineries now offer outdoor tastings in addition to traditional tasting room offerings. Before visiting, inquire about the current tasting arrangements at the wineries you’re looking to check out so that you’re not surprised upon arrival. In addition, double-check closing times since hours at many wineries change with the seasons.

I know you now have a great Anderson Valley wineries list at your disposable. Wherever you decide to go, have fun, drink in all the beauty of the Anderson Valley, but also drink responsibly! Cheers!