Mendocino AVA

Not to be confused with Mendocino County wine or Mendocino Ridge AVA.

Mendocino AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1984, amended in 1998[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Mendocino County, North Coast AVA
Other regions in California, Mendocino County, North Coast AVAEagle Peak Mendocino County AVA
Sub-regionsAnderson Valley AVA, Cole Ranch AVA, Covelo AVA, Dos Rios AVA, McDowell Valley AVA, Mendocino Ridge AVA, Potter Valley AVA, Redwood Valley AVA, Yorkville Highlands AVA
Climate regionMediterranean/maritime
Grapes producedArneis, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Colombard, Dolcetto, Grenache, Merlot, Montepulciano, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Negro Amaro, Nero D’Avola, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Semillon, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Valdiguie, Viognier, Zinfandel[2]

The Mendocino AVA is an American Viticultural Area within the larger North Coast AVA. Several small AVAs are nested inside the Mendocino appellation and it roughly encompasses Mendocino County, California. The Mendocino AVA is known for the cultivation of Mediterranean climate grapes including Carignan, Charbono, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. Because of its cooler climate, the Anderson Valley is known for its Pinot noir and sparkling wine production.[3] Many wineries in nearby Sonoma and Napa counties purchase Mendocino grapes to blend into wines labeled with other appellations.[2]

  1. ^ "§ 9.93 Mendocino" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 7, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Mendocino (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2008.
  3. ^ Briscoe, Stacy (June 3, 2024). "In California's Greenest AVA, Regenerative Farming Is a Family Business". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved June 5, 2024.