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Wine Tasting Holiday
Mendocino County is home to over 25 fantastic wineries, breweries and even one of the world’s best hand-distilled brandy makers. Adult beverage lovers will rejoice with a trip to Mendocino County.
Your home base for this trip is the beautiful Bed & Breakfast at Fetzer Vineyards. Nestled in the vineyards of their visitor center is a charming10-room inn. Each room is beautifully furnished and features a stunning view of the surrounding vineyards. 
Day 1
Begin by exploring your own backyard! The organic gardens at Fetzer Vineyards will awaken all of your senses as you wander through their seven themed-gardens. Each one has its own design scheme and purpose, such as wine education or food for the kitchen.
Make a stop in the deli for a light breakfast and coffee, then cross the courtyard to the Fetzer Reserve Wine Room. In this intimate environment you will taste Fetzer Reserve wines, along with one-of-a-kind and limited release wines. Experience Fetzer’s warm and kind wine country hospitality.
Tour more of Mendocino’s Beer & Wine Country- Be sure to find:
Handley Cellars- Winemakers Milla Handley and Denny Dudzik focus on making balanced wines that reflect the soil and climate where they are grown. These wines have won high praise from consumers and reviewers. In the tasting room you’ll find Milla’s international collection of folk art.
McDowell Valley Vineyards- This winery is nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains and has one of the longest records of continuous wine grape production in California. Be sure to try the commemorative Seabiscuit 2001 Syrah. This wine was produced as a joint project with the Willits Chamber and the Ridgewood Ranch, Seabiscuit’s home and final resting place.
Claudia Springs Winery- Started by longtime friends Claudia and Bob Klindt and Claudia and Warren Hein. Their first vintage was released in 1989, and the winery has won medals for its wine every year since. Check out their new tasting room, which also features the aromatic olive oils of local artisan, Stella Cadente.
Brutocao Cellars- after tasting fabulous wines in the tasting room, make plans to eat dinner at the Crushed Grape restaurant in the historic Brutocao Cellars Schoolhouse Plaza. After dinner, burn off a few calories by playing bocce ball on one of the courts in the plaza!
Day 2
Head further north up the Sanel Valley toward Ukiah-
Must stops:
The Wine Reserve in Hopland- a good place to try smaller, lesser known wines. You’ll also get a chance to speak with David and Elaine Hetrick- who can give you expert advice and guidance on trying the kinds of wines you like.
Germain Robin Brandy- some of the finest in the world
Jepson Winery- This 1200-acre estate covers some of the most picturesque and unspoiled land in Northern California. Here you will taste some of the area’s best still wines, sparkling wines and brandy.
Ukiah Brewing Company- This is the first organic Brew Pub in the nation. Be sure to enjoy a bite of their traditional pub fare, fresh fish or delicious vegetarian or vegan dishes.
After two days of exploring, treat yourself to a mineral bath and spa treatment at Vichy Springs Resort & Spa. This is a unique and historic hot springs featuring the only naturally warm and carbonated mineral baths in North America. Vichy Springs uses its own mineral water for facials and the highest quality massage oil and facial materials available.
Dinner at Bistro 1890 at the Hopland Inn- Chef Sean Paul Forsha celebrates the changing seasons in his menu. You will also find a host of traditional favorites year-round. Some of those favorites include a grilled corn salad topped with grilled prawns and drizzled with roasted tomato vinaigrette. Or try the lamb-shanks served with sweet onion risotto and rosemary lamb jus. After dinner enjoy exquisite Belgian truffles handmade exclusively for The Hopland Inn by local chocolatier Joëlle.
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