Hopland Archives - Wine Country Getaways

Wine Country Hidden Wines and Hikes

October 29, 2017 by Joe Becerra

Beautiful loop hiking trail in Montgomery Woods State Natural Preserve

Wine Country Hidden Wines and Hikes – Mendocino County

If you are traveling between the Anderson Valley and the Hopland wine country, this is a sweet hike for wine lovers who love the outdoor life.

Hiking in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve

For a secret and hidden getaway for hiking and wine fun, try Mendocino’s Hopland to Ukiah area. The featured hike is a two-mile loop hike in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve. On Highway 101 the town of Hopland is the center for small and family-owned wineries. See the Hopland Wine Trail for details. This activity is an excellent way to combine hiking and wine tasting on a day-long getaway. There are plenty of spots to lodge in the town of Ukiah, and just a few in Hopland. The same goes for restaurant choices. To get to Montgomery Woods State Nature Reserve take Orr Springs Road in Ukiah for 13 miles. The road is twisty and in parts narrow. At the Reserve, there is parking, picnic tables, and restrooms. The picnic tables are at the entrance and a few within the first portion of the loop trail.

More information on Mendocino wine country

McFadden becomes Blue Quail

October 8, 2017 by Joe Becerra

McFadden becomes Blue Quail – Hopland Happenings

If Healdsburg wine country is getting too crowded for your getaway, try Hopland, California. Hopland is 35 minutes north of Healdsburg on Highway 101. There are several wineries and tasting rooms in the Hopland area. The wineries in the Hopland area are mostly small and family-owned and farmed organically. Get away from the crowds and discover some fantastic wines from inland Mendocino County. One of our favorite stops is the McFadden Vineyards Tasting Room. We were surprised to find that on our most recent visit, McFadden changed its label to Blue Quail. The wines are the same excellent wines as before. The name change is a business decision, a PR campaign no doubt. Whether McFadden or Blue Quail, the winery should have no trouble selling their wines. Wines are so good and are priced reasonably. Take the delicious Pinot Gris for example. It is the best tasting Pinot Gris this side of Oregon, and it is only $16. There is a big bonus, all the grapes for this wine are organically farmed. Guinness McFadden organically farms all his vines in his estate Potter Valley farm. See complete information on the Hopland Wine Country.

Mendocino and Wine Romantics

December 4, 2014 by Joe Becerra

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!

Hopland – Little Wineries and Great Values

May 22, 2010 by Joe Becerra

My neighbor asked us where we were off to and I said “Hopland.” The dumbfounded look on her face said it all. She had never heard of the town of Hopland. I told her that we were going there to play Bocce, taste wine, and stay in an old hotel that once was a brothel and perhaps is haunted. The dumbfounded look deepened and she walked back into her house and said “Have a good time.” Yes, It was a little strange that we were off to Hopland when we could have just as easily been going to the Napa Valley, Healdsburg, or Sonoma.