Brutocao on the Hopland Wine Trail
Hopland Wine Trail – small, funky, and secret
There are two distinct wine areas in Mendocino County, the Anderson Valley, and the Hopland wine region. The Anderson Valley is a cool-climate growing region. Hopland is inland and much warmer days, but the evenings cool quickly. In the Hopland area, there are several small family-owned wineries. Many of these practice organic and sustainable farming. You will find the atmosphere in Hopland much more laid back. It is very peaceful. Try the Hopland wine trail and discover something different in wine.
We recommend these wineries and tasting rooms
• Blue Quail – Delicious Dry Riesling, Pinot Gris – all organically farmed
• Milano Winery – Oldest Hopland winery
• Graziano Family Wines – Great selection of well-made wines – Great Zin
• Brutocao Cellars Tasting Room – Bocce Ball courts and wedding venue
• Jeriko Estate Winery – Most spectacular tasting room
• Saracina – Certified organic, dog-friendly, caves
• Sip Mendocino – All Mendocino wine shop & tasting room
• Terra Savia – Best local olive oil and excellent Chardonnay – organic
• Campovida – Spacious grounds and Rhone wines – wedding venue
Dining and Lodging Recommendations
See Restaurants See Lodging Hopland Activites
Hopland wineries & tasting rooms to visit
Blue Quail
Guinness McFadden is one of the pioneers of organic farming. He has owned vineyards in the Potter Valley since 1970 and been selling his prized grapes to many a famous winery, including Chateau Montelena in the Napa Valley. In 2003 he decided to produce his label. His tasting room is on Highway 101 in the town of Hopland. Our favorite wines are the Riesling, Pinot Gris, and the Pinot Noir. They are all are under the $20 range. What a value!
The tasting room is open 10-5 pm Monday to Sunday
(707) 744-VINE, McFadden
Milano Family Winery
A mile south of Hopland, the Milano Winery is tucked away on Highway 101. The old wooden structure fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape. It once was a working hop kiln. The winery sources their grapes from local growers who farm organically. The winery also offers unique varietals, including Charbono and Carignane. Those also have some offbeat labels such as the Kick-Ass Red. We thought the Kick-Ass Red was the best of the wines we tasted, although the Syrah was also a delight. You can picnic here and also see a couple of goats and turtles that are on the premises.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 pm daily.
Phone: (707) 744-1396, Milano Winery
Graziano Tasting Room, Hopland
We think you get the biggest bang for your buck at the Graziano tasting room in Hopland. There are four distinct labels, each representing a different style of wine. We tried several wines, and we liked them all. Prices are mostly under $20, and the quality is outstanding. Winemaker Gregory Graziano is the veteran winemaker and does consult winemaking for several nearby small wineries. The tasting room is tiny, but this is Hopland, not Napa. I love the Zinfandel! The Italian varietal wines are unique and a change of pace from the usual.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 pm daily. (707) 744-8466,
E-mail: [email protected], Graziano Winery
Brutocao Cellars Tasting Room
The winery has two tasting rooms, one in Hopland and the other in the Anderson Valley along Highway 128. The Hopland tasting room is in the old Hopland High School. What a kick! Brutocao has an extensive outdoor area, including a wedding venue and Bocce courts.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 pm daily.
Phone: (707) 744-1664, e-mail: [email protected], Brutocao Cellars
Jeriko Estate
Jeriko is a full functioning winery with a beautiful tasting room just about 2 miles north of Hopland. Dan Fetzer and Linda Fetzer are the owners. As is the case with all Fetzer family-owned wineries, all the vineyards are organic. The lineup of different Pinot Noir wines is outstanding. We also like the area for a picnic lunch.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 pm daily
Phone: (707) 744-1140, e-mail: [email protected], Jeriko
Saracina Winery
Just beyond Jeriko to the north on Highway 101 is the lovely Saracina winery, run by John Fetzer. Just recently, the winery opened a beautiful tasting room. There are also new caves to tour and, most of all, excellent wines. The stainless steel fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are very delicious wines. The reds are equally delicious. We found the Malbec at Saracina very tasty indeed. The surrounding area is lovely, and you may want stay and have a picnic lunch. May we suggest you pair your lunch with the wonderful-tasting dry Atrea Skid Rosé.
Tasting room is open daily 11 to 5 pm daily
Phone: (707) 744 1671; [email protected], Saracina
Sip Mendocino
An excellent place to start wine tasting in Hopland is the wine tasting room and wine shop called Sip Mendocino. Owner Bernadette Bryne has over 100 different Mendocino County wines available in her shop for purchase and 18 wines available for tasting. Discover boutique wine labels such as Naughty Boy, Saracina, Patianna, and Oracle Oaks Winery.
The tasting room is open 10 to 5 pm daily.
Phone: (707) 744-8375, e-mail: [email protected]no.com, SipMendocino
Terra Savia
Terra Savia is a different wine tasting experience. With the tasting room set in a working Olive Mill, you can experience world-class organic wines and olive oils while touring the art gallery or watching the stone mill. Terra Savia is also home to ETORRE Wines, which sends over half of its production exclusively to the Switzerland market. Pet friendly and an adventure for young families, the facility boasts a plant nursery and produce gardens, rescued birds and animals at every turn. Terra Savia makes a terrific stopping point to refresh your legs, please your palate, charge your car and lighten your heart.
Tasting room is open daily 10 to 5 pm.
Phone: (707) 744-1114, Terra Savia
Campovida
On Highway 175 east of Highway 101 is the Campovida winery. This place is hopping! Here you will find a spacious and beautiful tasting room, two professional Bocce courts, an organic vegetable garden, and several areas to sit and have a picnic lunch. The oak trees are splendid among the vineyards. Campovida is also a wedding venue, and one that I am sure will become very popular. The wines indeed match the beauty of this area. The wines are Rhone style and all very delicious. This winery is destined to become a popular destination spot.
Tasting room is open daily 11 to 5pm
Phone: (707) 400-6300, [email protected], Campovida