Anderson Valley's Husch Vineyards, a small family owned winery, was founded in 1971. Husch Vineyards, the oldest winery in the Anderson Valley, is managed by 3rd generation family members of the Oswald family. Spending time at this historical winery was just a perfect way to let the magic of Anderson Valley wine country unfold.
Welcome to Husch Vineyards
Husch Vineyards located across from Roederer Estate vineyards, has a line of redwood trees bordering the entrance to the property. On our way into the winery and tasting room we passed by the vineyards. Their vineyards include some of the earliest varietals planted in the valley. In 1967 Tony and Gretchen Husch bought the 60-acre Nunn Ranch on Highway 128, about 10 miles northwest of Boonville. The land had been known for growing apples and grains. They later planted eight acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer grapes on the property. Their first official crush was in the fall of 1971.
The story began in 1979, when Hugo Oswald Jr. bought 6,000 cases of wines from the Husch family. The Oswald family had been growing pears in the Santa Clara Valley, but when the area began expanding they sold their land, and headed for southern Mendocino County. Today Husch Vineyards is owned and operated by the 3rd Generation of the Oswald family (Zac Robinson and Amanda Robinson Holstine). Amanda and her brother Zac Robinson, along with their parents and spouses, are in charge of Husch today. Winemaking is under the direction of Brad Holstine (Amanda's husband). Al White, who has been with Husch since 1974, manages all the viticulture operations. While over the years Husch has modernized and expanded, but it has never lost its initial rustic charm, nor its reputation for great wines.
There is also space outside the tasting room for wine tasting and picnics.
After exploring the property a little we headed into the tasting room. Husch produces 22 different wines, with six being distributed nationally. They also produce small lots of special wines that are available exclusively at their tasting room.
We so enjoyed wine tasting at this historic winery.
When we visited they had a special on buying a case. We had no problem deciding on buying a case of wine.
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County
Husch Vineyards, 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. Besides learning about Husch Vineyards history it is interesting to note that grape growing on this property has been certified Fish Friendly. They use no-till farming, sometimes called regenerative farming, which has numerous sustainability benefits.
After stopping at the historical Husch Vineyards you may want to drop across the highway to Roederer Estate, owned by Louis Roederer, a French Champagne company.
 |
| Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
Roederer has three wineries in Anderson Valley. 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. Given Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay do so well here, the Anderson Valley is an ideal place to explore California sparkling wines.
It is because of the uniqueness of the Anderson Valley that the French Champagne house Louis Roederer has established three wineries here.
Roederer Estate
 |
| Roederer Estate © Spaswinefood |
Scharffenberger Cellars
Domaine Anderson
 |
| Domaine Anderson, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Trillium Restaurant, Mendocino © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Boonville, Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
No comments:
Post a Comment