Over the past twenty years, the Anderson Valley on the Mendocino coast has emerged as a fantastic wine region. On a recent trip to Mendocino, California we got a chance to stop by the Goldeneye Winery in nearby Philo for a wine tasting. Driving to the winery, you leave the coastline and pass through beautiful redwood forests before arriving in the valley with its hills and vineyards. The vineyard itself is a picturesque setting— perfect for taking a seat on their patio, sampling wine, and enjoying the view.
The Wine
The Goldeneye Winery is a must-visit if you are into pinot noir. They began making premium quality pinot noir in 1997, and it is their specialty. The wine is made by blending the grapes from their four estate vineyards, resulting in a balanced wine with an elegant finish that reflects the cool climate of the Anderson Valley.
Goldeneye is part of the Duckhorn wine portfolio, so they will occasionally have wines to taste from their other wineries as well.
Tastings
Goldeneye offers an Essentials Tasting for $15 that highlights six of their current release wines. On our visit we tried a chardonnay, a rosé, and four different pinot noirs. If the weather is nice, sit outside, order one of their cheese platters and enjoy your flight of wine. They are generous with their pours and allow second tastes of your favorites. Reservations are not mandatory but recommended if you want to maximize your tasting experience. Picnic areas are available as well, and they encourage you to walk the property and experience the beauty of the grounds. Hours are 10:30am to 4:30pm every day, with the last tasting starting at 3:30pm.
Events
Celebrate summer and the release of the 2016 Goldeneye Sparkling Brut Rosé, with a festive seasonal brunch. Held al fresco on the picturesque patio, this afternoon gathering will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Anderson Valley while you enjoy an exciting lineup of wines from both Goldeneye and Migration. The event is on August 17th from 11am to 1 pm. General admission tickets are $115 and can be reserved on their website.
For those very interested in pinot, the Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival is held every May. Goldeneye Winery is always one of the locations for this great event featuring food, music, wine education, and of course great pinot noir! Next year’s festival is May 15-17, 2020.
Goldeneye Winery
9200 Hwy 128
Philo, CA 95466
