Taste of Mendocino 2014: Helping You Plan Your Next Getaway

Taste of Mendocino at Golden Gate ClubIs it time to plan a summer getaway? Are you trying to figure out how and when to revisit Mendocino County?  If you will be in or near San Francisco on Tuesday, June 10, you should go to the 2014 Taste of Mendocino event taking place between 5:00 and 7:00 pm at the Golden Gate Club (135 Fisher Loop, The Presidio, San Francisco) to help you with that.

Come meet representatives from Mendocino County, a rural county of striking natural beauty, friendly small towns, and excellent wineries just 90 miles north of San Francsico.  This is your opportunity to spend a few hours sipping delicious wine from over 35 wineries and planning future trips while winemakers, brewmasters, farmers, chefs, innkeepers, and other local artisans share samples of their products and information about this area’s diverse offerings. Catering will be provided by Bon Appétit Management Company.

Porchetta Panini at 2013 Taste of Mendocino

Bon Appetit’s Panini with Porchetta, Arugula, Red Onion, and Fig-Balsamic Spread at the 2013 Taste of Mendocino

Whether you have never been to Mendocino County before, have only visited some parts of it, or go there all the time and just need an interesting event to warrant starting your car again, you’ll find all sorts of information and incentives at Taste of Mendocino.  You should go here now to purchase advance tickets for just $50 per person. Please be forewarned that any remaining tickets available for sale at the door will be cash only.

Taste of Mendicino – Go For The Wine

Mendocino County is home to 550 vineyards and its fame continues to grow as a premium wine region and enjoyable travel destination. The primary white wine varietals grown in the area are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer and the most prevalent red varietals are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot. You can also find Viognier, Riesling, Carignane, Grenache and Syrah as other more commonly planted varietals here.

Mendocino County Vineyards

The view from RIVINO Winery

If you want to learn more about (and sample wines from) Anderson Valley, Yorkville Highlands, Upper Russian River Valley, and Redwood Valley, Taste of Mendocino is your chance.   Winery participants will include Balo Vineyards, Bink Wines, Drew Family Cellars, Frey Vineyards, Handley Cellars, Kimmel Vineyards, Knez Winery, McFadden Vineyard, Maple Creek Winery, Meyer Family Cellars, Navarro Vineyards and Winery, Ray’s Station, RIVINO, Saracina Vineyards, Seebass Vineyards, and Testa Vineyards (among others).

In addition, representatives from Coro Mendocino will be at the event, celebrating the 10th anniversary vintage of Coro wines. Coro Mendocino is a consortia producing ultra-premium wines showcasing the rich heritage and unique characteristics of the area as the wines must be made entirely in Mendocino County from 100% Mendocino County grapes. Each Coro wine must contain 40-70% Zinfandel and may be blended with up to nine named varietals, honoring the “Old Italian” field blends of Mendocino.

Ray's Station

Ray’s Station

As a final test, the Coro wines must pass a review by a panel of winemakers in four blind tastings before the wine is accepted and certified to carry the Coro Mendocino label. The 2010 Coro Mendocino wineries were Brutocao Cellars, Claudia Springs Winery, Fetzer Vineyards, Golden Vineyards, McFadden Vineyard, McNab Ridge Winery, Mendocino Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Philo Ridge Vineyards and Ray’s Station and the 2011 vintage will be released on June 28th at the Coro Mendocino Release Party.

Germain-Robin Brandy

Germain-Robin Select Barrel XO Brandy

Taste of Mendocino is also a rare opportunity to learn more about (and try products from) Craft Distillers, creators and distributors of rare and beautifully made spirits such as Germain-Robin Brandies, Crispin’s Rose Liquer, Mezcalero Mezcals, and Russell Henry Gins.

 

Taste of Mendocino – Go For the Information

Coming to Taste of Mendocino on June 10 will be a great way to learn about Mendocino County attractions and organizations such as the B. Bryan Preserve, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Mendocino County Museum, Mendocino Music Festival and the Skunk Train.

Mendocino Music Festival LogoOr, you can pick up information and ask questions about future events to frame your visits around such as Taste of Redwood Valley (June 13-15), Ukiah’s Sundays in the Park (Summer), Willits Frontier Days (June 22 to July 5), Mendocino Music Festival (July 12-26), Mendocino Ridge and Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival (August 2), Art in the Gardens (August 2), Art in the Redwoods (August 14-17), WineSong (September 6), Paul Bunyan Days (Labor Day Weekend), Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest (October), Hopland Passport Wine Weekend (October), World Championship Abalone Cook-Off (October), the Wine and Mushroom Festival(November), Crab, Wine, and Beer Days (January), Mendocino Coast Whale Festivals (March), and the Boonville Beer Festival (May).

Kemmy's Pies

Whiskey-Soaked Apple Pie with Crumb Topping, Salted Caramel, and Cinnamon-Sugar Coated Bacon from Kemmy’s Pies

To learn more about the local food products, please check out Taste of Mendocino participants such as Kemmy’s Pies (a bakery whose latest creation is a Tequila Blueberry Chevre pie)Pennyroyal Farm (a creamery producing handcrafted cheese from goats and sheeps raised on their family farm) and Thanksgiving Coffee (a family-run artisan coffee roaster company which buys from small farms and cooperatives around the world).

If you need lodging information for a visit to Mendocino County, come learn more about Brewery Gulch Inn, an Arts & Crafts-style retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean with ten oceanview rooms,  a deluxe two-room suite, gourmet breakfasts, a 500+ DVD collection and WiFi access.  All accommodations have gas fireplaces, feather beds, down comforters and pillows, flat panel televisions, plush robes and fresh flowers.

Taste of Mendocino – When and How to Go

Taste of MendocinoThe 2014 Taste of Mendocino will be held at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco’s historic and rustic Presidio on June 10 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. The Presidio Trust provides integrated transportation information that describes how to get to the park via public transit, walking, biking, and car. For details, please go here.

Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. LogoMendocino County includes winding roads, boutique wineries, hikes that truly make you feel you’ve gotten away from it all, coastal escapes, farms and vineyards, organic breweries, funky arts and crafts, and a very laid-back vibe. Hosted by Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. and Visit Mendocino County, the intimate Taste of Mendocino event is a showcase of all the people and products that make Mendocino County such a special destination for wine lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and people just seeking an escape.

(Earlier in the day, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Taste of Mendocino is open for qualified trade and media representatives only such as wine buyers and distributors, sommeliers, meeting planners, travel planners, and media. To see if you may qualify for a Trade or Media Pass, you can ask about that here)  

 

 


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