Anderson Valley
By Michael Shapiro
BayInsider Contributor
For many Bay Area residents, the Anderson Valley is just a scenic stretch on the way to Mendocino, where they might stop to fill their tank or have some lunch.
Yet those who linger here find a wealth of epicurean and natural delights, including some of the country's finest wines, elegant yet earthy cuisine, tasty microbrews, and stately old-growth redwoods.
Located about 25 miles southwest of the town of Mendocino, the Anderson Valley, has resisted fast-food joints, traffic lights and many other contrivances of modern life.
Boonville, the hub of the valley, is an ideal starting point for a weekend tour of the region. Upon arrival, many travelers celebrate by quenching their thirst at the nationally renowned Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Housed in a three-story cedar building with windows that frame the valley's hills, the pub offers six standard brews ranging from Poleeko Gold Pale Ale to Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout.
Beer lovers are probably already familiar with the luscious Anderson Valley amber and bitter ales sold in stores, but at the pub they can sample special seasonal brews, such as the Oktoberfest in fall or the Winter Solstice ale in December.
Next, epicureans venture across the street to the Boonville Hotel, a tidy, eight-room inn that's home to a 70-seat country restaurant, offering California cuisine, sometimes with a dash of southwestern spice. Owner John Schmitt grew up working in his parents' famed restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville.
The valley is also known for its sublime wines and is becoming known as "California's other wine country." The local microclimate – with cool, foggy mornings clearing to warm, sunny afternoons – is ideal for several varieties, including chardonnay, pinot noir, reisling and gewurztraminer.
Tasting in the valley is a much more personal experience than shuttling from tour to tour in Napa or Sonoma. It's not unusual to find proprietors or winemakers in the tasting room, discussing their varieties with guests.
Among the highlights: Navarro Vineyards, which produces a prize-winning pinot and Roederer Cellars, a French champagne house.
A close runner-up for sparkling wine is Pacific Echo (formerly Scharffenberger Cellars, whose varieties have been served at White House affairs).
Finally, don't forget to explore the valley's natural wonders.
Hendy Woods State Park, just nine miles west of Boonville, is home to ancient stands of old-growth redwoods that tower hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Allow at least a couple of hours to wander through Big Hendy Grove, a nice cool place for a picnic on an Indian summer day.
Wine, food and lodging in Anderson Valley 
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