Mendocino: It's Not Just Marijuana and Sheep Anymore!

Wine taste your way through  Mendocino in the  comfort of your own  home. Try six of our  favorites for just $185!   "Bahl Frattey from the Briney and Baldies of Mendo"   (Translation: Good Wine from the Ocean and the Rolling Hills of Mendocino County.) That's right, Mendocino is so special, it has its own language, called Boontling. The locals created it to avoid being understood. (Go figure: the area is also well-known for Marijuana growing.)    Dotted with charming New England style villages, grazing sheep, lighthouses and apple orchards, Mendocino is one of the most romantic regions of California. Even though it is a large county, it has a pervasive small town feel. Rolling vineyards, seaside cliffs, rural sheep farms, towering redwoods, and now, world-class wines beckon. In this month's Wine Spectator Magazine, wine writer James Laube wrote,"Mendocino's Anderson Valley is the new frontier of California Pinot Noir."  Food and Wine Magazine named two of the county's wines among the "World's Best Pinot Noirs."   Try Six of Our Favorite Mendocino Wines For $185   Black Kite "Kite's Rest" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2011  92 points by Wine Spectator   Named for the beautiful but endangered Black Shouldered Kite that is native to the Anderson Valley.  The incredibly bright palate is flush with floral, ripe cherry, currant and brown spice notes nuanced by hints of sage and sweet tea. Beautiful balance carries through the long, broad finish.   Foursight Charles Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2010  90 points by Wine Enthusiast   This Pinot Noir shows nice acidity, along with considerable depth and lushness. The palate has waves of cherries, blackberries, currants and cola, while 50% new oak adds rich notes of smoke and burnt butter. Lovely, dry and impressive.  Atrea "Old Soul Red" Mendocino County Zinfandel Blend 2009 91 Points by Wine Spectator  From John Fetzer's organic vineyards.A blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah and Malbec. Dark ruby in color, this wine's nose reveals ripe red raspberry and blackberry fruit, anise seed and a hint of white pepper. The flavors are jammy, ripe and expressive, letting you know that this wine is ready to be enjoyed now.  Trinafour Niemi Vineyard Mendocino County Petite Sirah 2010 The MacGregors are the only clan to have been outlawed by the King of England, not once but twice. Alex MacGregor, owner/winemaker, is very proud of that family accomplishment so he decided to put his family tartan on his label. This wine is glass-staining purple. Tightly wound, tangy red and dark berry flavors are complicated by dried violet and dark chocolate nuances, with solid tannins adding grip. Saracina Mendocino County Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Made entirely of organically grown grapes, this Sauvignon Blanc exhibits classic aromas of quince, white peach, and evergreen notes. The palate expresses a flinty minerality with vibrant acidity and depth and concentration. Breggo Ferrington Vineyard Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer  2011 This refreshing summer wine displays the Gewurztraminer's classic aromatics of lychee, lemongrass, and rose petals. Intense flavors of tea and lemon oil are punctuated by more lychee and tropical fruits. The bright mouth watering acidity provides a clean finish that keep you reaching for another sip of this deliciously exotic wine. Four Facts about Mendocino Wines . 1. The first organic winery was started in Mendocino County. Today nearly 25% of all the vineyards in Mendocino County are certified organic. 2. Mendocino has 10 distinct wine regions (AVAs) - Anderson Valley,  Cole Ranch, Covelo, Dos Rios, McDowell Valley, Mendocino, Mendocino Ridge, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley and Yorkville Highlands. 3. Mendocino County is home to 91 bonded wineries and 343 vineyard entities. 4. The region is dominated by family farmers, many  have lived off the land for generations, since the first settlers in the 1850s.      Mendocino's Local Fare  The coast offers some of the best Salmon, Albacore Tuna, Dungeness Crab and Rock Cod fishing in the Pacific. Not into seafood? Mendocino is home to more than 3,000 mushroom varieties! There are mushroom dinners, mushroom wine and beer pairing workshops and guided mushroom foraging trips offered during magical mushroom season.   If there is anything else you are looking for, please let us know. We are here to assist you as your personal Sommeliers.  You can reach us by telephone at (415) 331-2001 or by email at wine@bacchusandvenus.com