Anderson Valley is one of the most lesser-known AVAs in California, but its stunning scenery and remarkable wines make it truly an underlooked gem.
The region produces some of the finest sparkling wines and Pinot Noir you’ll find in the United States, so if you have a soft spot for these types of wines, you can’t go wrong with Anderson Valley.
Planning on visiting this AVA? Here are the 10 best wineries in Anderson Valley that you need to check out.
What Wine Is Anderson Valley Known For?
Anderson Valley is located in Mendocino County in California and is mostly known for its Pinot Noir wine. Alongside this varietal, sparkling wine and Chardonnay are also commonly found here.
The region has a cool climate with foggy mornings and wet autumns, which originally made it challenging to grow red wines like Pinot Noir. However, in the 1980s, French scientists produced varieties of Pinot Noir that could ripen in cool climates like Anderson Valley.
Since then, the valley’s flagship wine has been Pinot Noir, but they are almost as acclaimed for their magnificent sparkling wines.
Related Read: 6 Best Wineries Of Central Coast California
Top 10 Wineries in Anderson Valley
Best Wineries in Anderson Valley Map:
Toulouse Vineyards & Winery: Tranquil Scenery
- Address: 8001 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://www.toulousevineyards.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-2828
One of the best wineries in Anderson Valley is the charming Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, surrounded by redwoods and oak trees. The peaceful landscape creates a tranquil atmosphere, which is perfect for drinking wine in.
All of the winery’s wines are bottled on-site and crafted with care to ensure impeccable quality. The inviting tasting room is open daily for tastings, but you’ll need to book an appointment beforehand.
As soon as you enter the winery’s doors, you’ll be greeted by their friendly and knowledgeable staff who will be happy to accommodate you and make sure you have a memorable visit.
Editor’s Note: The winery’s Rosé of Pinot Noir is one of their standout wines, crafted from estate-picked Pinot Noir grapes. It has a silky creaminess and tantalizing dryness, which pair well with its tart strawberry hints.
Lula Cellars: Intimate Outdoor Tastings
- Address: 2800 Guntly Rd, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://www.lulacellars.com/
- Contact Number: +1 707-895-3737
Featuring world-class wines and stunning views, Lula Cellars is definitely worth checking out when you’re in Anderson Valley. They specialize in Pinot Noir, but they also produce a variety of other high-quality wines.
Lula Cellars offers a popular outdoor tasting experience which includes a selection of their current releases. Tastings are typically complimentary for club members and with any bottle purchase.
The winery’s picturesque outdoor area provides a personal and intimate experience for wine tasting, complete with views of their beautiful estate vineyard.
Editor’s Note: Not sure what to drink at this winery? Opt for their award-winning Pinot Noir, which has aromas and flavors of floral plum, cherry, and French oak.
Pennyroyal Farm: Handmade Cheeses
- Address: 14930 CA-128, Boonville
- Website: https://www.pennyroyalfarm.com/
- Contact Number: +1 707-895-2410
Pennyroyal Farm is renowned for their exquisite cheeses, but they also craft an array of luxurious wines, so it’s the ideal place if you’re both a cheese and wine lover! Their outdoor patio is open Thursday to Monday, but make sure you reserve ahead of time as they tend to get quite busy.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Pennyroyal Farm makes their wines and cheeses, they offer farm tours, which involve a walkthrough of their solar-powered barn to meet their animals, as well as an explanation of their cheesemaking and winemaking methods.
The tour ends with a mouthwatering cheese tasting and wine flight or juice for non-drinkers. Pennyroyal Farm hosts seasonal events, such as harvest weekends, so make sure you take a look at what they have planned for your visit.
Editor’s Note: While any of Pennyroyal Farm’s wines are fantastic, the Sauvignon Blanc is particularly divine. It has notes of honeydew, tarragon, and white pepper, which pairs well with their rich Laychee cheese.
Husch Vineyards & Winery: Historic Tasting Room
- Address: 4400 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://huschvineyards.com/
- Contact Number: +1 707-895-3216
Founded in 1971, Husch Vineyards & Winery is the oldest winery in Anderson Valley and is well-known for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer wines. They produce a large variety of wines, all of which taste phenomenal.
Husch Vineyards are committed to making high-quality wines and handpick all the grapes in their vineyards, ensuring each one is fit to produce world-class wine.
The winery’s rustic tasting room is a converted pony barn that dates back to the 1800s, making it an intriguing and charming place to enjoy wine. The winery’s helpful and attentive staff will be happy to assist you with any inquiries and make you feel welcome.
Editor’s Note: Featuring aromas of jasmine, rose petal, and spice, the winery’s Gewürztraminer certainly deserves a taste on your stay. It has juicy fruit notes, giving it a bright and focused acidity for a long finish.
Roederer Estate: World-Class Sparkling Wines
- Address: 4501 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://roedererestate.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-2288 (ext. 3222)
Roederer Estate produces some of the best sparkling wines in Anderson Valley, with their Brut sparkling wine being perhaps their most famous. They also produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as an assortment of other wines.
The winery has a rustic exterior, giving it a relaxed and natural ambiance. Inside, the winery is equally as enchanting, boasting a comfortable and rural tasting room that oozes charm.
Roederer Estate offers several wine tasting experiences by reservation. They also offer private tastings for large groups or for those looking for a more private experience.
If you’re feeling hungry, the winery’s in-house chef will be happy to serve you a range of tasty food items from their Nosh menu, including luxurious caviar and local bites.
The winery offers tours of their estate, providing a deeper look into the history of the winery and their unique sparkling wine methods. The tour concludes with a sparkling wine tasting, as all that walking is thirsty work!
Editor’s Note: This winery is famous for their Brut sparkling wine, so it seems only right to sample their L’Ermitage Brut. It has tempting aromas of hazelnut, brioche, and flint, as well as bright acidity and layered texture.
Navarro Vineyards and Winery: Delicious Deli Foods
- Address: 5601 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://www.navarrowine.com/main.php
- Contact Number: (+1) 800-537-9463
Next up is Navarro Vineyards and Winery, a small family-run estate that has been producing wine and non-alcoholic grape juices since 1974. They are situated in Philo in the heart of Anderson Valley and craft a wide selection of wines, including Pinot Grigio and Edelzwicker.
The winery boasts an intimate but delightful tasting room, which is open daily for you to browse their range of delicious wine. The winery also offers tours of their vineyards and estate throughout the year, so be sure to check whether they’re running on your visit.
You’re welcome to bring your picnic to enjoy a spot of lunch at their outdoor picnic tables. Alternatively, you can pick up an assortment of local cheeses and meats from their deli case, which pairs perfectly with their wines.
Editor’s Note: The winery’s Pinot Noir has won awards for its excellence, so it’s one to try on your visit. It has flavors of black tea and black cherry.
Handley Cellars: Relaxing Tasting Room
- Address: 3151 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://handleycellars.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-3876
Another top-notch winery in Anderson Valley is Handley Cellars, boasting scenic views, a well-presented tasting room, and a spacious courtyard. The tasting room is filled with international folk art from all over the world, making it wonderfully relaxing to sit in.
The estate vineyard is home to a varied selection of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer. Anderson Valley’s cool-climate provides the perfect growing conditions for these grapes, giving them deep and rich flavors.
Tastings are typically offered by appointment, so be sure to book ahead of time to secure a spot.
Editor’s Note: The winery’s Pinot Noir is often packed with notes of raspberry cream, spice, and herbal hints. It has delectable flavors of blueberries and black cherries. Delicious!
Goldeneye Winery: Various Tasting Experiences
- Address: 9200 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://www.goldeneyewinery.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-3202
Boasting a dreamy backdrop of redwood forests, rolling hills, and vineyards, Goldeneye Winery offers an exquisite experience for wine drinkers. They offer a wide range of tasting experiences, including Estate Wine and Cheese Pairings and Essential Tastings.
For those looking for a luxury experience, Goldeneye is the pinnacle of the valley. Their seated tasting experiences allow you to sample their current release wines and selections from their Migration label. You can enjoy your wine tasting session either inside their grand tasting room or spacious outside areas.
The vineyard patio and terrace are available to rent out for private events like birthday parties and private dinners during the warmer months. The beautiful setting is sure to make your event an unforgettable one!
Editor’s Note: Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Goldeneye Brut Rosé is packed with blood orange and honeydew flavors for a rich and vibrant experience.
Scharffenberger Cellars: Friendly Atmosphere
- Address: 8501 CA-128, Philo, CA 95466, United States
- Website: https://scharffenbergercellars.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-2957
Scharffenberger Cellars was first founded in 1981, making it one of the established names in Anderson Valley. Each and every wine at the estate is individually fermented using the méthode traditionnelle, which adds a deep complexity to their beverages and maintains excellent quality.
The winery’s beautiful tasting room is located in the quaint town of Philo, featuring a warm and friendly atmosphere. They regularly feature local artists so you can enjoy mouthwatering sparkling wine and fascinating artwork.
Alternatively, you can take your wine outside and picnic on the porch or in the carefully tended gardens, while soaking up some glorious California sunshine. Scharffenberger Cellars typically offers a classic sparkling tasting experience and a mixed tasting experience of their sparkling wines and still wines from Carpe Diem.
Editor’s Choice: The winery’s Brut Excellence is a remarkable wine. It is frequently highly rated by critics and features notes of biscuit, peach, and toasted bread.
Foursight Wines: Family-Owned Precision
- Address: 14475 CA-128, Boonville
- Website: https://www.foursightwines.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 707-895-2889
Located near the town of Boonville, Foursight Wines is a family-owned and operated winery that focuses on estate-grown Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. They are known for their meticulous attention to detail and sustainable, vegan-friendly winemaking practices.
The tasting room offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere where you can enjoy flights of their handcrafted wines. The staff is deeply connected to the land and the history of the valley, providing an informative and welcoming experience for every visitor.
You can enjoy your wine on their pleasant patio while taking in the views of the surrounding hills. Foursight is a must-visit for those seeking high-quality, authentic Anderson Valley wines in a relaxed setting.
Editor’s Note: Their Estate Pinot Noir is a standout, offering a pure expression of the valley floor terroir with bright red fruit and elegant structure.
Final Thoughts
Anderson Valley is one of California’s best-kept secrets, offering an assortment of high-quality wineries that produce some of the best Pinot Noir and sparkling wine you’ll ever taste.
Whether you’re thinking of heading up to Anderson Valley for a day or a week, the wineries above are the perfect way to spend time with friends or family and relax over a sumptuous glass of wine.
Alternatively, if you’d rather enjoy your wine at home, why not sign up for a wine club like Naked Wines or Winc Wines? We’ve reviewed a wide range of wine clubs so you can find the best one that suits your needs and preferences.