This event is a benefit for Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association.

Anderson Valley in southern Mendocino County is like going back in time to Napa 30 or 40 years ago. The 15-mile-long valley straddles Route 128, the road to the Mendocino coast from Highway 101. In olden days, this was a remote agricultural community where hearty residents made their living logging, raising sheep and apple farming. Today much of the valley is given over to vineyards, although you still see logging trucks hauling redwoods.  

Most Anderson Valley wineries are family-owned boutique producers, and many of the vineyards are organically farmed. The Anderson Valley is also among the most coastal wine regions in the state. Afternoon fog from the Pacific cools down the hot summer temperatures, creating an ideal climate for Pinot Noir, the Valley’s signature grape, and other cool-climate Alsatian varietals like Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. These are vinified dry but retain the lovely fruit flavors of these grapes. Given the great climate for Pinot, it’s not surprising that Anderson Valley produces some of the West Coast’s best sparkling wine, too.

FEATURED WINERIES.

*Balo vineyard and winery are on the site of a former sheep ranch, and owners Michelle and Tim Mullins chose the name Balo, which means “bleat” in Latin, as a nod to that heritage. Their label features a coddly-looking sheep, and the tasting room has a killer bocce court outside and giant posters inside that were made to publicize the annual Anderson Valley Pinot and Alsatian wine festivals. Balo makes organically farmed Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. [www.balovineyards.com]

*Bink is a partnership of two engineers: winemaker Deb Schatzlein and winegrower Cindy Paulson. The name Bink comes from the quality of their deeply colored and multi-layered Syrah. They also make Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and a rose. They farm organically and bio dynamically. [www.binkwines.com]

*​Handley Cellars, established in 1982 in the first wave of wineries in the AV, is run by the daughters of founder Mila Handley, a descendant of pioneering Portland beer maker Henry Weinhard. Handley, voted best winery and vineyard by Trip Advisor in 2015, farms organically and makes a variety of varietal wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling. [www.handleycellars.com]

​*Yamakiri, which means “Mountain Fog” in Japanese, is a collaboration of winemaker Alex Crangle and owner Lisa Bauer. They find untended, usually older low-yielding vineyards and use biodynamic and dry farming methods to, as they say on their label, “press them back into gentle use to make exceptional and unique wines.” They make Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, and a rose. [www.yamakiriwines.com]

FEATURED CHARITY.

Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association is a not-for-profit trade group created in 1983 to promote the grapes and wines of the Anderson Valley wine-growing appellation. They are supported through membership dues, generous sponsorships, and proceeds from the festivals that they produce each year. [www.avwines.com]

FEATURED VENUE.

Stable Cafe is a collaborative indoor-outdoor space for emerging San Francisco businesses, including The Cheese School of San Francisco, the caterer for this event. The inspiration for the cafe's charming courtyard was the Sicilian garden of the owner's grandmother. The cafe is conveniently located three blocks from the 16th and Mission BART station. [www.stablecafe.com]

ABOUT TASTE WEST.

Taste West brings the wine country tasting room experience to the city in intimate urban settings. Discover handcrafted West Coast wines and feel the charm of wine country right here in the Bay Area.. [www.tastewestwine.com]

Please note, 21 years old and over only. IDs will be checked.

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