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Why You Should Visit Navarro Vineyards

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Navarro Vineyards in Anderson Valley
Enjoying the Chardonnay at Navarro Vineyards – View from the picnic area

Why you should visit the Navarro Vineyards in the Anderson Valley

  • Small and Family-owned winery
  • Sustainable farming practices
  • Outstanding wines including Alsace varieties
  • Unbelievable vineyard views
  • Nicest people working the tasting room
  • No fees for tasting wines
  • Other quaint wineries nearby in the Anderson Valley

Navarro Vineyards is one of our favorite wineries to visit. We visit at least once a year and sometimes more often.

Are you old enough to remember Pacific Stereo? This successful company had several high fidelity stores scattered around the San Francisco Bay Area. Those stores were owned by Ted Bennett, who sold the business in the early 1970s for a considerable price. In 1974, he used his profit to create Navarro Vineyards in the Anderson Valley of Mendocino County.

taste wine anderson valley

Today, Navarro is the most-visited winery in the Anderson Valley and has an extensive mailing list of loyal customers. The wines are sold only online, out of the tasting room, or from the mailing list. A few restaurants also carry their wines. Ted Bennett and his wife Deborah Cahn have been loyal to their land, farming organically before anyone else in the Anderson Valley.

The tasting room staff at Navarro is knowledgeable, friendly, and always enthusiastic. The picnic area is one of our favorites of any wine country and, when we visit the Anderson Valley, Navarro Vineyards is where we picnic no matter what the season. There are picnic tables in front of the vineyards and a few others scattered in the gardens. It is one of the most serene settings for a wine country picnic. It is so delightful! The setting in the tasting room at Navarro Vineyards is spectacular. There are wonderful vineyard views, with a backdrop of the mountains dotted with oak trees.

As of the posting of this article, tasting room fees are non-existent. You can try any wine they have open, which on most days is at least eight. Can you find this in the Napa Valley?

Navarro vineyards and anderson valley
View from the tasting room area at Navarro Vineyards

Wines of Navarro Vineyards

We like the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines at Navarro. They are excellent, and the price is right compared to many other nearby wineries. Chardonnay, and especially Pinot Noir, have a great reputation among Anderson Valley wineries.

Not getting the respect they deserve are the Alsatian wines from Navarro and other Anderson Valley wineries. These wines are fantastic, and one should make sure to taste and purchase these terrific wines. Navarro Vineyards makes a Gewurztraminer, a Pinot Gris, and a Riesling.

Other Anderson Valley Wineries

Years ago, there was just a handful of wineries along Highway 128 in the Anderson Valley. Today there are many wineries, including some from Napa Valley vintners. These include Golden Eye (Duckhorn) and Lichen Estate (Cliff Lede). Two other terrific wineries, very similar to Navarro, are Husch Vineyards and Handley Cellars.

Tourist Information – Anderson Valley

Navarro Vineyards and the Anderson Valley are approximately 120 miles from the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. In Cloverdale, take Highway 128 towards Mendocino. Along this route is the Artevino Maple Creek Winery we recently wrote about. Stop and have a visit there, and then continue on to Navarro.

Travelog – Mendocino Wine Country for Wine and Food Lovers

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We are just back from a two-night trip to Mendocino County. Our last time in Mendocino County, we visited the area of Hopland and wineries on the Hopland Wine Trail. On this trip, our adventures took us to the Anderson Valley on Highway 128 and on to the romantic town of Mendocino on the Pacific Coast. Both the Anderson Valley and Mendocino are magical in November. Discover through our adventures cool places to visit and things to do in this beautiful area of Mendocino County.

Mendocino Headlands

Mendocino Headlands

Day One – Anderson Valley Wineries, Redwoods and Mendocino

Heading from San Francisco, we take Highway 128 in Cloverdale toward the Pacific Coast. Don’t get confused with Mendocino County and Mendocino, the town. Mendocino is a big County, but the village of Mendocino is tiny with a population of under 900 people.

Once we get to Boonville, we start our Anderson Valley wine adventure. Boonville is the right spot to stock up for a wine country picnic. Just about all the wineries in the Anderson Valley have picnic facilities. Boonville also has some good restaurant choices. Most of the  Anderson Valley wineries are located between the small towns of Philo and Navarro on Highway 128. The Anderson Valley is Pinot Noir country, along with Chardonnay and Alsatian varieties. The fog from the Pacific Ocean provides the perfect climate for cool-loving grapes.

The Big Three Anderson Valley Wineries

The Anderson Valley has many wineries, over 30 in fact, but we love to visit three small and family-owned wineries that had been operating long before the Anderson Valley became popular. Husch Vineyards started in 1971, Navarro Vineyards in 1972, and Handley Cellars in 1984. We call them the Big Three because of the tasting experience for visitors and the quality and value of the wines. Navarro Vineyards is the first of the Big Three as you travel between the towns of Philo and Navarro. Navarro Vineyards has a beautiful picnic area plus terrific wines. There is no tasting fee, and most of the wines are open for tasting. We love the stainless steel Chardonnay, the Gewurztraminer, and the Riesling. In the reds, they have two versions of Pinot Noir that are scrumptious. At Husch, you will find one of the smallest and coziest tasting rooms in the area. It is a small hut, but don’t let that fool your taste buds. The wines are delightful, and all the estate vineyards are sustainable. The Handley tasting room is fun and packed with international folk art. The Handley vineyards are certified organic. Milla Handley is the founder and one of the first women winemakers in California.  Great wines here as well!

Handley Cellars - Organic Vineyards

Handley Cellars – Organic Vineyards

More information on the Anderson Valley Wine Trail

The Coastal Redwoods

After visiting our Big Three wineries, we head to the coast and the town of Mendocino.  You may have heard of the famous Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County, but this eleven-mile stretch as you leave Navarro on Highway 128 is just as spectacular.  We are in theNavarro River Redwoods State Park, and the highway is lined with magnificent Coastal Redwood trees. We find any pull-out shoulder along the road wide enough to be safe and park the car to have a look at the fantastic Redwood Forest. Find a path to take a short walk and you will discover the flora and fauna of a Redwood forest. The area is also popular with fishermen and kayakers. The Navarro River is a happy spot for adventures and wildlife.

Redwood trees highway 128

Eleven miles of Redwood trees on Highway 128

 

Adventures in Mendocino and its Coast

We arrive in Mendocino in the late afternoon and settle into our Travelzoo special at the Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites. The day is overcast but, no matter what the weather in Mendocino, it is a beautiful day. We stroll the quaint Mendocino shops and have a cup of tea. Dinner our first evening is at the Trillium Cafe. It is a fantastic meal. We loved the Covelo Ranch Braised Short Ribs and the Grilled Organic Chicken Mole.

Mendocino boutique shops

On the left up the stairs is Celtic Creations. On the right is Out of This World science store

Day Two – Between Mendocino and Fort Bragg

Early morning in Mendocino is always quiet and joyful. A walk along the bluffs of the Mendocino Headlands is an excellent way to begin the day. We have breakfast at the Good Life Cafe & Bakery. It is a local hangout, and that is just fine with us. Since rain is in the forecast, we decide to forgo our hike in nearby Van Damme State Park. It is a fantastic, moderate two-mile hike up to the Pygmy Forest, but we will do that on our next visit to Mendocino. We take a car ride to Fort Bragg, home of the Skunk Train. Our first stop is the Cabrillo Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse has been operating since 1909, guiding ships along the Pacific Coast. The lighthouse is open daily 11am to 4 pm.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

Another exciting stop between Mendocino and Fort Bragg is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Take an hour to see what plants flourish in coastal climates. In Fort Bragg, we enjoy two activities. First, a lunch stop at Silver’s at the Wharf in the Noyo Harbor. Fresh fish menu items are on the menu as entrees, in salads, and sandwiches. We walk off lunch visiting shops in the historic old town portion of Fort Bragg.

Now it is back to Mendocino for another stroll along the headlands and some last-minute shopping for books, trinkets, and other boutique items. We are looking forward to our dinner at Cafe Beaujolais. Since our previous visit, this historic Mendocino restaurant has new owners and a new chef. Cafe Beaujolais does not have a full bar, so the McCollum House is a comfortable stop for a cocktail. The Cafe Beaujolais does not disappoint. I must say, the Butternut Squash soup is the best I have tasted. Six of us enjoy the Cod, the chicken, pork tenderloin, and beef Wellington. Chef Julian, you are off to a great start at Cafe Beaujolais!

Chef Julian Lopez - Cafe Beaujolais

Cafe Beaujolais Chef Julian Lopez

 

spicy pork tenderloin cafe beaujolais

Cafe Beaujolais’ spicy pork tenderloin – Wow!

Heading home

Another trip to the Good Life Cafe & Bakery for a light breakfast before we head back. Our friends are taking 128 to Cloverdale and Highway 101 to head home. We decide on an alternate route and make a left in Boonville to Highway 253 East. This road is windy but with great views. Highway 253 ends in Ukiah. More wineries are visit-worthy between Ukiah and Hopland. See the Hopland Wine Trail for complete information on the best wineries to visit.

One thing we love about visiting the Anderson Valley and Mendocino Coast is that we always feel refreshed and invigorated. It must be the peacefulness of the vineyards and Redwood Trees, as well as the clean air on the Pacific Coast.

Additional Helpful Mendocino Information

Anderson Valley – Land of Pinot Noir & More

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Navarro Vineyards in the cool climate Anderson Valley

Navarro Vineyards in the cool climate Anderson Valley

Anderson Valley – where Pinot Noir grapes flourish

Above is the beautiful Anderson Valley located in Mendocino County. Between the small towns of Boonville and Navarro on Highway 128 is the heart of the Anderson Valley. The Anderson Valley is the land of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool climate grapes. Our “Wine Country Photo of the Day” was shot at the Navarro Vineyards winery. Navarro is one of our favorite wineries. It is family owned, and the wines are consumer friendly priced. Read more about the Anderson Valley: Where to dine, lodge, and which wineries to visit.

Buy a print of this photo

Lula Cellars in the Anderson Valley – Pinot Noir

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Lula Cellars vineyards in the Anderson Valley

Morning fog at the Lula Cellars vineyards in the Anderson Valley

Lula Cellars in the Anderson Valley – Pinot Noir is plentiful

If you are a Pinot Noir enthusiast, the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County is where you want to go for a wine country getaway. Between the unconventional towns of Boonville and Navarro on Highway 128 are 18 gorgeous miles of vineyard land and wineries specializing in Pinot Noir. Unlike many other Pinot Noir wine growing regions,  there is room for more Pinot Noir in the Anderson Valley. The weather is the perfect climate for this finicky grape.  At Lula Cellars in the Anderson Valley, you see evidence of the expansion of Pinot Noir on our photo above. Owner and winemaker Jeff Hansen planted these vines just a few years ago. The vines are young but will be ready to yield sufficient grapes for this year’s harvest. There are five acres planted next to the tasting room and more to come. The photo shows why Pinot Noir flourishes in this area of the Anderson Valley. Almost every day, morning fog is present. I shot this photo at 11.am. In one to two hours, the vineyards will bask in gentle sunlight. By mid afternoon, the Pacific Ocean breeze will pick up and provide cool ocean air to the vines. This is Pinot Noir land!

Lula Cellars Jeff Hansen

Jeff Hansen, the “Grand Fromage,” in the tasting room at Lula Cellars

At Lula Cellars, Jeff Hansen currently produces four different Pinot Noir wines. Two of the Pinot Noir wines come from an unusual area not in the Anderson Valley, but very close by in the town of Comptche. It is a mountain town with an elevation of 600 feet. Jeff sources his fruit from the Costa Vineyard and the Peterson Vineyard. These are both delicious Pinot Noir wines, as are his two Mendocino Pinots. Jeff also produces a Gerwurztraminer, bone dry and perfect for a picnic lunch. Jeff has planted one acre of Gerwurztraminer at Lula Cellars. The last wine we tasted when we visited was an amazing and spicy Zinfandel from Mariah Vineyards. These grapes are sourced from the Mendocino Ridge AVA at an elevation of 2600 feet.

lula-tasting-room

Lula Cellars tasting room is open daily from 10am to 6 pm.

The Lula Cellars tasting room is open daily from 10am to 6 pm. Nearby are plenty of wineries to visit. We have listed our favorites on the Anderson Valley Wine Trail. If you have time, we suggest you head west on Highway 128 and explore the Navarro State Park. The park has some of the most magnificent Coastal Redwoods in the area. On the coast is the romantic town of Mendocino, and it’s definitely worth the 40-minute drive and at least a one-night stay over.

Navarro Redwoods

Navarro Redwoods

Mendocino – a weekend getaway of wine, food, and romance

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Mendocino romantic weekend

The Blue Door Inn – one of many top lodging accommodations in Mendocino

Mendocino – a weekend getaway of wine, food and romance

This is one of many romantic and picturesque B&B’s in the town of Mendocino. Mendocino is the perfect spot for a weekend of wine, food and ocean viewing. If you could go back in time and visit Mendocino in 1950, it would look exactly the same as it does today. Many of the folks who live in Mendocino are artists, writers, and creative types. The solitude of the town and the roar of the ocean waves are inspiring. For the weekend traveler, Mendocino is the perfect place to rejuvenate the spirit and experience life as it was many moons ago. Wine country is just 40 minutes away in the Anderson Valley. Between the towns of Philo and Navarro, there are 20 or so wineries to visit. Because the Anderson Valley is a cool-climate region, Pinot Noir is the grape of choice. There are many outstanding producers of Pinot Noir,  including Navrarro Vineyards, Goldeneye, Lula and Drew. We spend a good portion of the day in the Anderson Valley on the way to our stay in Mendocino. Much like the town of Mendocino, the Anderson Valley wine country scene is relaxed and laid back. It is quite the opposite of the tourist scene in the Napa Valley or Sonoma. Yet, the wines are fantastic! On this trip, we stayed at the Mendocino Hotel built in 1876. We dined at two very fine restaurants, Café Beaujolais and Trillium.  Café Beaujolais has been around since 1969. Trillium is new and exciting. Early morning in Mendocino is the best time for an invigorating walk or jog along the Mendocino bluffs. The view of the jagged Mendocino Coast is spectacular. Bring a good book, a pair of walking shoes and leave the laptop behind.

Additional information on Mendocino

Beautiful Anderson Valley

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Anderson Valley in April

The beautiful Anderson Valley in April

The Beautiful Anderson Valley in April

Early Spring is one of the most beautiful and peaceful times in the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. The days are usually clear of fog and the tasting rooms less hectic. The photo above was shot from below the tasting room at Navarro Vineyards.  The April vines are beginning to take form and give a fresh look to the valley and the hills above. On the Anderson Valley floor, cool climate grapes flourish. Pinot Noir is the most abundant grape but Alsatian varieties also are grown in this area. Sparkling wine grapes, namely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, also love this climate and are the first of the grapes to be harvested.  During the summer months, fog is almost always present until the afternoon. The afternoon brings breezes from the Pacific Ocean, continuing to provide cool temperatures to the grapes.  There are a couple of routes into the Anderson Valley. We like heading north from San Francisco and taking Highway 128 in Geyserville to the Anderson Valley Road. Highway 128 is a lovely road. The biggest town is Boonville, about 60 minutes from Geyserville. Boonville is the place to stock up on goodies for a picnic lunch. Picnicking in the Anderson Valley at a winery is a must for any wine country traveler. Check our list of wineries in the Anderson Valley with picnic facilities. We also have a list of favorite wineries for wine tasting and purchasing wine. We like to exit the Anderson Valley and head over Highway 253 from Boonville. This way we can take a stop in another wonderful wine town in Mendocino County,  Hopland, CA. We then are able to take in a few favorite wineries on the Hopland Wine Route.  Another great option is to travel from the Anderson Valley to the Pacific Ocean and visit the romantic town of Mendocino. Stay at a Mendocino B&B and have dinner at one of Mendocino’s fabulous gourmet restaurants.  Mendocino is magical any time of the year but especially so in the Spring.

Mendocino Coast

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Mendocino coast

Point Cabrillo Light Station on the Mendocino Coast

Wine Country side trip to the Mendocino Coast

Why not extend a wine country getaway to the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County out to the beautiful Mendocino Coast? Add an extra day or two after visiting the wineries in the Anderson Valley and head to the town of Mendocino. The photo above was taken on a drizzly Fall day in November. A visit to the Point Cabrillo Light Station is one of the many fun and interesting things to do on the Mendocino Coast. We love to stay and dine in the town of Mendocino. It is one of the most romantic settings in California. Because of its scenic beauty and efforts to preserve the past, Mendocino has been the location for several Hollywood hit movies. Spend the morning exploring the Mendocino Coast and return for a late afternoon stroll through the streets of Mendocino for a visit to the many boutique and art shops.

Resources for exploring the Mendocino Coast

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

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Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir loves the overcast skies!

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir loves the Pacific Ocean

This is view of the Navarro Vineyards in Anderson Valley.  On most Anderson Valley days during the vineyard growing season, the climate is just as you see in the photo. Overcast skies and fog mark the morning days. By mid afternoon, the skies clear but the cool winds from the Pacific Ocean kick in. This is why Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a major grape in the area. The Anderson Valley is also famous for its Alsatian grapes, especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer. Another important wine product in the Anderson Valley is sparkling wine. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most commonly used grapes in the production of fine sparkling wines. But it is the Pinot Noir wine that is now taking center stage in this cool-climate wine growing area. Among notable producers of Pinot Noir are Goldeneye, Lula, Navarro and Copain. For those interested in traveling to the Anderson Valley to taste Pinot Noir and other wine varieties, we have a complete tour guide to the area. In addition, we have a guide to the romantic town of Mendocino that is on the Pacific Coast, just about 40 minutes away.

Anderson Valley Tour Guide

Wine Country Backroad Anderson Valley

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Goldeneye

Goldeneye  in the Anderson Valley

Wine Country Backroad Anderson Valley

We have been taking this wine country backroad of Anderson Valley, Highway 128 West, since the early 1970’s. We always spend a few hours at the wineries between Philo and Navarro on our way to a weekend in the town of Mendocino. Things are now much different in 2015, with many more wineries to visit and many folks making it an overnight stay in the Anderson Valley.  This backroad begins in the Yorkville Highlands wine AVA and shortly enters the Anderson Valley. This is Highway 128 that leads from Cloverdale on Highway 101 to the Pacific Ocean at Highway 1. Take the last Cloverdale exit on Highway 101 as you head north and follow Highway 128 West. The Yorkville Highlands AVA is approximately 15 miles west on Highway 128 from Cloverdale and stretches for 10 miles. The climate and geography changes as one arrives in Boonville where the Anderson Valley begins. On weekends this can be a busy wine country backroad as tourists flock to the wineries in the Anderson Valley or head to the romantic seaside town of Mendocino. In the Yorkville Highlands the climate is warmer, so the warm weather grapes of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah flourish. In the Anderson Valley the climate is much cooler due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the fog belt it produces. In the Anderson Valley, it is Pinot Noir that is king. In the white wines, many wineries produce outstanding Alsatian wines. In Yorkville, not to be missed is Yorkville Cellars. It is one of our favorite wineries; they make delicious wines and farm organically. In the Anderson Valley, we always stop at Navarro Vineyards, Goldeneye and Handley. There are many more wonderful wineries and we like to visit at least one winery that we had not previously visited. Just in the past few years, the Anderson Valley has seen a dramatic increase in wineries. The area is still beautiful and serene. There are several delis and wineries with picnic areas. We love to have a picnic lunch with either a glass of Pinot Noir or a glass of Riesling wine at one of the many wineries that have gorgeous picnic areas for guests. Check our list of wineries with picnic areas and where to purchase your deli lunch.

More helpful information on the Anderson Valley

Wine Country Backroad Anderson Valley Wine Map

Mendocino and Wine Romantics

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Romantic things to do mendocino

The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse just north of Mendocino

Mendocino and wine romantics

This is how to combine wine, wine country and romance into a getaway weekend. We call it “Mendocino and Wine Romantics.” Mendocino at this time of year is a true getaway. No crowds and a lot of solitude are included in this wine country adventure. The photo above is of Point Cabrillo Lighthouse just a short drive north of the romantic town of Mendocino. It is one of the many things to do in and around Mendocino.

Plan your Mendocino and Wine Romantics

Begin by booking your B&B in the town of Mendocino on the Pacific Coast. Book a restaurant reservation in Mendocino at two different restaurants, one for Friday night and one for Saturday night. Get away early on Friday and head to the Anderson Valley on Highway 128. If the weather is good, hit one of the delis in Boonville and purchase goodies for a picnic lunch at one of the wineries. Navarro Vineyards is always our first choice. There are several wonderful boutique wineries to visit on the Anderson Valley Wine Route. Stop in and choose wines to bring for dinner for both nights. This is Pinot Noir country, and Pinot Noir is always a safe bet for a match with many different dinner entrees. After visiting a couple of wineries, head west to the coast and the beautiful town of Mendocino. Once settled into your B&B,  head to the boutique shops for a quick look at what these stores have to offer. We always take a walk along the Mendocino bluffs. It is inspiring and rejuvenating. The old Mendocino Hotel is worth a sit down with a glass of wine. Perhaps the next day, you’ll be up for an early morning or mid afternoon two-mile hike. Van Damme State Park is just to the south and has a great hiking trail. At the end of the two-mile stretch along the creek are picnic benches. Each time we have done this, we are the only ones there, and that is just the way we like it. Heading back home on our final day, we like to take a different route back and stop in Hopland on Highway 101. We take Highway 253 in Boonville. It is a very pretty ride and the Hopland Wine Route has several great wineries to enjoy. Our favorites are the Saracina Winery and the Terra Savia Winery. Happy travels!

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