Looking to get away on a weekend trip to California wine country but want something a little off the beaten path? You might want to consider Mendocino County, north of Sonoma. Mendocino is highlighted by the Anderson Valley, a small but terrific destination for anyone interested in tasting very high quality wines in a relaxed setting without the lines, congestion, and high tasting room prices that are sometimes found in other appellations during peak tourism periods.

Anderson Valley is a cool climate for growing grapes, which is perfect for Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay, the four most widely planted varietals. Pinot Noir in particular is a finicky grape to grow, but it finds an ideal place to grow in this region, an appellation which has established the reputation for producing some of the very finest Pinot Noir in the U.S.

The Mendocino area is dotted with many small hotels and quaint bed & breakfasts, including several in Anderson Valley. There are also plenty of other activities, attractions, and seasonal events including wine festivals, music and art festivals, museums, and shopping. For more info, visit the Anderson Valley and Mendocino Coast Chambers of Commerce and the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association. [http://www.andersonvalleychamber.com, http://www.mendocinocoast.com, http://www.avwines.com/]