I still remember when our wine country travels took us to Anderson Valley's iconic Navarro Vineyards and Winery. Navarro Vineyards and Winery has pioneered wine making in the area since 1973. Navarro Vineyards, Philo, Mendocino County has not only been growing grapes, and producing wines since that date, but also getting raving reviews. This family owned, iconic Northern California winery, is an absolute must for Anderson Valley wine country visitors.
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Navarro Vineyards & Winery, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood
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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.
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| Gateway to Navarro Vineyards and Winery © Spaswinefood |
As we entered the gate the Navarro estate vineyard came into view. Their estate vineyard occupies 90 acres of their 935 acre ranch.
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| Arriving at Navarro Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Navarro Vineyards and Winery is known for its award winning wines, which are only available at their winery, but by online orders as well. Spaswinefood would like to note, according to their website 82/86 wines that they have entered in national and international wine competitions in the last three years has won gold medals or better. The winery has won other awards, such as California's Winery of the Year in 2014.
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| Beginning of Summer, Navarro Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Anderson Valley is 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 the 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.
Navarro Vineyards and Winery
Navarro Vineyards and Winery, Anderson Valley's iconic winery wines represent a diversity of what Mendocino Wine County has to offer. Mendocino county’s climatic and geographical diversity allows the region to produce a wide range of grape varities for wine production. Chardonnay is the county's leading grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. In addition Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Carignane, Charbono, Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Viognier and Zinfandel are grown in Mendocino County. While the winery is located within Anderson Valley AVA, known for its world class Pinot Noir and Alsace-style varietal wines, the winery produces wines from vineyards throughout Mendocino County.
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| Taking in the Views, Navarro Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Before continuing onto Navarro Estate's tasting room I paused for awhile, taking in those vineyard views. Navarro is committed to sustainable practices in their farming and wine making processes. Their wine making process also utilizes the best of both traditional and modern techniques.
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| Tasting Room, Navarro Vineyards and Winery © Spaswinefood |
Tasting Navarro Vineyards Wines
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| Wine Tasting, Navarro Vineyards and Winery © Spaswinefood |
I would highly recommend a tasting room experience here. We enjoyed the wide range of wines available for tasting. While Anderson Valley’s four most widely planted varietals are Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling Navarro produces wine from vineyards throughout Mendocino county. I loved the wines (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel) that we tasted, whether it was from their estate vineyard, or Mendocino AVA. Naturally, we decided to buy some Navarro wines to take with us. After all the wines are not only good but so reasonably priced, with the majority in $20-$30 range. This is an excellent price range for quality California wines. Of course we just had to buy those cool wine mugs!
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Leaving Navarro Vineyards and Winery © Spaswinefood |
Wine Country Travels along California's Highway 128
After leaving Navarro winery our drive along Highway 128 took us by the hard to miss Roederer Estate. Given Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay do well here, the Anderson Valley is an ideal place to produce 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 wineries here.
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| Entrance to Roederer Estate © Spaswinefood |
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| Anderson Valley's Roederer Estate © Spaswinefood |
After visiting Navarro, and Domaine Anderson wineries, perhaps a visit to one of the Roederer owned sparkling wine wineries would complete your day in wine country. For further ideas on Anderson Valley wineries to visit see Wine Country Getaways. I would add Toulouse to the list.
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| Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, Anderson Valley © Spaswinefood |
As you travel along Highway 128 from Boonville to Navarro Estate these day you will enjoy visiting 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. If you travel plans include traveling onto the town of Mendocino on the coast you will also find a relaxing wine county escape. Indeed there is a special sense of peacefulness in Anderson Valley wine country.
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| Boonville, Mendocino County © Spaswinefood |
If your travels take you to California's Mendocino County then Navarro Vineyards and Winery in Anderson Valley wine country is an absolute must. Visit this iconic winery and enjoy some of the best Mendocino County wines. 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. Travels in Anderson Valley
Mendocino County, California
© Spaswinefood
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Entrance, Navarro Vineyards and Winery © Spaswinefood
Anderson Valley's Foggy Mornings © Spaswinefood |
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