Scharffenberger Cellars, an Anderson Valley acquisition by Louis Roederer, a French Champagne company, was our first stop on our wine country itinerary. Roederer’s Anderson Valley wineries (Scharffenberger Cellars and Roederer Estate) are sparkling wine producers, while their more recent addition, Domaine Anderson specializes in still wines. Beyond finding a special sense of peacefulness in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, Roederer has obviously discovered something unique here for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. Since we had earlier visited Domaine Anderson and Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars was included in our Anderson Valley wine country visit. Once we arrived at Scharffenberger Cellars we were ready to experience the magic of Anderson Valley wine country.
Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
Welcome to Anderson Valley, Mendocino CountyAnderson 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. We were happy to return to Anderson Valley within the Mendocino wine region, which 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. Anderson Valley AVA petitioned to become an AVA in 1982The 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.
Given Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay do well here, the Anderson Valley is an ideal place to produce sparkling wines. Louis Roederer, a French Champagne company, was quick to discover this. Given the success of methode champenoise sparkling wine houses, Anderson Valley has become a bubble paradise. Roederer’s Anderson Valley wineries (Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger Cellars) farm about half of all the valley’s vineyard acreage for sparkling wine.
This is the wine country context, which I brought to our Scharffenberger Cellars visit.
Welcome to Scharffenberger Cellars
Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
First, Scharffenberger Cellars, was founded in 1981 under the pioneering leadership of John Scharffenberger. The winery's founder embarked on a mission to craft unparalleled California sparkling wine, which would rival the best in the world. By 1995, John was recognized as an innovator in the Anderson Valley wine region. His brand’s prestige attracted the attention of Champagne Pommery, who became a partner in 1989. Later, John sold his share of the business to pursue other avenues outside of the wine industry. After a number of changes in ownership, Scharffenberger Cellars in 2002, became a member of the Roederer Collection, under the ownership of Maison Louis Roederer.
We were excited, as we drove into the parking lot to met our friends.
Arriving at Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
Indeed, we were so happy to gather around the wine table with our friends.
Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
I was excited to learn more about Scharffenberger Cellars Sparkling Wines.
Scharffenberger Cellars Sparkling Wines
While getting caught up with friends we were introduced to Scharffenberger Cellars sparkling wines.
Ready to Taste at Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
There are a number of sparkling wine tasting options at Scharffenberger Cellars. I chose the above option because it best met the overall needs of our group. Below includes a general overview of the wines we tasted:
1. Scharffenberger Cellars, Brut Excellence, Mendocino County AVA, 2020
Scharffenberger Cellars, Brut Excellence, Mendocino County AVA, 2020 © Spaswinefood
We would compare two sizes of their Brut Excellence sparkling wines to experience the difference in aging the wines in two different bottle sizes (750ml and 1.5 litre).
Scharffenberger Cellars, Brut Excellence © Spaswinefood
Scharffenberger Cellars, Brut Excellence © Spaswinefood
This was followed by: 2. Scharffenberger Cellars, Blanc de Blanc, Mendocino County AVA, 2019
This Blance de Blanc sparkling wine was a 100% Chardonnay.
A Scharffenberger Cellars Black Label Brut MV was next.
3. Scharffenberger Cellars, Black Label Brut MV
Scharffenberger Cellars, Black Label Brut MV © Spaswinefood
The Black Label Brut was a MV (multi-vintage) 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir.
Next up, was a brut sparkling rosé.
4. Scharffenberger Cellars, Rosé Excellence, Mendocino County AVA, NV
Scharffenberger Cellars, Rosé Excellence, Mendocino County AVA, NV © Spaswinefood
This brut rosé was one of my favorites that day.
We concluded the tasting with:
5. Scharffenberger Cellars Late Harvest Dosage
the
Wine Tasting, Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
After the tasting off we went to lunch in Boonville.Time for Friends, Scharffenberger Cellars © Spaswinefood
It was a great sparkling wine tasting at Anderson Valley's oldest sparkling wine producer, and so much fun to meet up with some local friends that we had not seen in awhile.Earlier visit to Anderson Valley
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| Domaine Anderson, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
With the addition of the Anderson Valley AVA in 2017, Mendocino County is home to 12 AVAs. Anderson Valley AVA is known for its (1) organic and sustainable wineries, and (2) world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsatian-style varietal wines. Visitors delight in the fact that Anderson Valley has become a bubble paradise.
Wine Tasting, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood
During an earlier visit, after a most delightful wine tasting at Domaine Anderson we decided on Rosé of Pinot Noir for our picnic lunch.
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| Domaine Anderson, Rose of Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood |
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| Domaine Anderson, Rosé of Pinot Noir in the Glass © Spaswinefood |
Domaine Anderson loaned us wine glasses to enjoy the chilled Rosé that we purchased.
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| Toasting the Arrival of Summer, Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood |
Sitting in the shade of the majestic oak tree at Domaine Anderson was the perfect way to begin our Summer wine country travels.
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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.
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| 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 Spaswinefood's summer travels.
Anderson Valley Wine Country
After 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
After visiting Domaine Anderson, perhaps a visit to one of the Roederer owned sparkling wine wineries would make your day in wine country complete. 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.
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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.
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| 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 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.
CHEERS!
Mendocino County, California
© Spaswinefood
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Domaine Anderson © Spaswinefood
Anderson Valley's Foggy Mornings © Spaswinefood |
Scharffenberger Cellars, Brut Excellence © Spaswinefood
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