One of my earlier Anderson Valley visits included Domaine Anderson, an acquisition by Louis Roederer, a French Champagne company. Domaine Anderson specializes in still wines, making it distinct from Roederer’s other Anderson Valley wineries (Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger Cellars), which are sparkling wine producers. Beyond finding a special sense of peacefulness in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, Roederer has obviously discovered something unique here for producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. On that summer day Domaine Anderson was one of our wine country stops.
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| Domaine Anderson, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Anderson, Anderson ValleyDomaine Anderson, Anderson Valley wine country is located just north of Sonoma County, about a two-and-a-half hour drive from San Francisco or Napa, and roughly 30-45 minutes from Healdsburg. The Mendocino wine region is part of the larger North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), one of the largest and diverse wine regions in California. In 2004 Mendocino County voted to become the first county in the United States to become GMO free. This effort was supported by the wineries in the region. It is also important to note that 25% of Mendocino County's wine production is organic, making the county the largest producer of organic wine in California. With the addition of the Anderson Valley AVA in 2017, Mendocino County is now home to 12 AVAs. The Anderson Valley is known for its (1) organic and sustainable wineries, and (2) world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsatian-style varietal wines. Anderson Valley’s four most widely planted grape varietals are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. Domaine Anderson's Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines were released in 2012. |
| Doamine Anderson © Spaswinefood |
Domain Anderson Estate is a Demeter Certified Biodynamic Farm, CCOF Certified Organic, and Certified Bee Friendly Farm.
Domaine Anderson WinesAs noted earlier Domaine Anderson specialization in still wines, makes it distinct from Roederer’s other Anderson Valley wineries (Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger Cellars), which is known for their sparkling wines. During our wine tasting we tasted two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noir and a rosé wine. Let's take a quick look at the wines we tasted during that visit (today's visitors who obviously be tasting newer vintages).
Domaine Anderson, Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018 |
| Domaine Anderson, Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018 © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Anderson, Chardonnay Dach Vineyard 2016 |
| Domaine Anderson, Chardonnay Dach Vineyard 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Anderson, Chardonnay Anderson Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Anderson, Pinot Noir Dash Vineyard 2014 |
| Domaine Anderson, Pinot Noir Dash Vineyard 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Anderson, Pinot Noir Pinoli Vineyard 2014 |
| Domaine Anderson, Pinot Noir Pinoli Vineyard 2014 © Spaswinefood |
After a most delightful wine tasting at Domaine Anderson we decided on Rosé of Pinot Noir for our picnic lunch. |
| Domaine Anderson, Rose of Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Anderson, Rosé of Pinot Noir in the Glass © Spaswinefood |
Special thanks to Domaine Anderson for loaning us wine glasses to enjoy the chilled Rosé that we purchased.  |
| Toasting the Arrival of Summer, Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood |
I loved the tartness of this food friendly Rosé wine. One reviewer described it as bursting with grapefruit and strawberries. I would agree with this description. It went well with our picnic lunch on that Summer Solstice Day. We also bought some Domaine Anderson Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines to enjoy later. If you have yet to try their wines I would recommend that you do so.
Sitting in the shade of the majestic oak tree at Domaine Anderson was the perfect way to begin our Summer wine country travels. |
Below the Tree, Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood
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| In the Shade, Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood |
It was also the perfect place to view their estate vineyard, which is a Demeter Certified Biodynamic Farm, Bee, and CCOF Certified Organic.  |
| Domaine Anderson Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Anderson Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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Estate Vineyard, Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood
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Domaine Anderson, one of the new wineries in Anderson Valley, was a most delightful beginning of our earlier summer travels.
Anderson Valley Wine CountryAfter we left Domaine Anderson we continued west on Highway 128. Our drive along Highway 128 took us by the beautiful Roederer Estate. Given Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay do so well here, the Anderson Valley is an ideal place to explore California sparkling wines. |
| Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
It is because of the uniqueness of the Anderson Valley that the French Champagne house Louis Roederer has established three wineries here. |
| Entrance to Roederer Estate © Spaswinefood |
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| Anderson Valley's Roederer Estate © Spaswinefood |
Later in Mendocino, over diner at the Trillium Restaurant, while John enjoyed a glass of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, I had a glass of Roederer Estate Brut. It is good to see local restaurants offering a good selection of Anderson Valley wines.  |
| Trillium Restaurant, Mendocino © Spaswinefood |
With the arrival of wineries with a connection to a French Champagne house, like Domain Anderson, the Anderson Valley wine country has come into its own.  |
| Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
After visiting Domaine Anderson, perhaps a visit to one of the Roederer owned sparkling wine wineries should be part of your wine country day. Roederer’s other Anderson Valley wineries (Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger Cellars) farm about half of all the valley’s vineyard acreage for sparkling wine. For further ideas on Anderson Valley wineries to visit see Wine Country Getaways. |
Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood
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As you travel along Highway 128 from Boonville to Navarro these day you will discover world class wineries on the route. I still remember those earlier days driving through the laid back town of Boonville however, in recent years with the the arrival of tasting rooms and restaurants the pace has picked up. Still the pace of life in Anderson Valley is amazingly peaceful. Anderson Valley has become known for its world class Pinot Noir and Alsace-style varietal wines. Anderson Valley’s four most widely planted varietals are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. |
| Boonville, Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
For a most relaxing visit to California wine country then the Anderson Valley AVA, one Mendocino County's 12 AVAs is an absolute must. For a most delightful wine tasting put Domaine Anderson on your list. You might also decide to enjoy a picnic lunch at this relaxing Anderson Valley winery. Its estate vineyard is the perfect setting for a picnic. I invite you to join me in my California wine country explorations and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook.June Memories of Anderson Valley
Mendocino County, California
© Spaswinefood |
| Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood |
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