ISLANDS & VALLEYS:
WINE IN MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mendocino County is wine country’s best-kept secret, and the proof is in the map. Tucked into one rural county is a baker’s dozen of distinct American Viticultural Areas — 13 federally drawn appellations, each its own argument about soil, fog, elevation and grape. They range from the smallest AVA in the entire country to a scattering of vineyards perched on ridgetops so high they sit above the clouds — islands in a sea of fog. Over the next 13 months, we’ll walk the county appellation by appellation: the ground, the climate, the grapes that found a home there and the growers betting on them.
Wine Stories in mendocino county
Northern Californian salesman, 5 distributors charged in statewide bribery scheme
Prosecutors say the scheme paid grocery store buyers with gift cards and luxury items to boost alcohol sales.
Anderson Valley wine shop debuts new tasting experience featuring boutique wineries
Disco Ranch will offer guided flights featuring limited-production wines from boutique wineries without public tasting rooms.
Wine, oysters and community shine at sold-out Hopland celebration
Destination Hopland’s annual Sparkling Wine and Oyster Celebration brought together wineries, restaurants and locals for an afternoon of tasting and connection
VINEYARD VIBES: EXPLORING MENDOCINO COUNTY WINE
The Mendocino Voice has launched a new podcast and section dedicated to wine and agritourism in Mendocino County. This section will amplify the stories of local farmers and vintners with a regular podcast, in-depth articles, reviews, event coverage and stories about the wine industry and agritourism in the region.
LISTEN
The Vibe at Lichen Estate – Vineyard Vibes
ABOUT MENDOCINO COUNTY WINE
Mendocino wine region: a hidden gem for wine lovers
Boasting varied landscapes, diverse terroirs and a steadfast commitment to sustainable viticulture, Mendocino presents a compelling story with every glass, offering both flavor and experience.
SHORT SIPS
Exploring Mendocino County’s wine scene? Here are five great places to start tasting the best of Mendocino County wines, one sip at a time!
FATHER’S & DAUGHTERS CELLARS
Rooted in family tradition, Father’s & Daughters Cellars crafts wines with deep reverence for Mendocino’s terroir. Known for their limited-production Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, each wine reflects their dedication to minimal intervention and hands-on craftsmanship. With a focus on sustainable practices, they capture the true essence of Anderson Valley’s cool-climate character.
DREW FAMILY CELLARS
Perched high in the Mendocino Ridge AVA, Drew Family Cellars is a small, family-owned winery specializing in Pinot Noir and Syrah. Their wines embody the rugged, coastal influence of their vineyards, blending coastal freshness with the structure and elegance of small-batch, cool-climate production. With a minimalist approach, they’re known for wines with purity, depth, and a hint of wild coastal charm.
BEE HUNTER WINE
Bee Hunter Wine, founded by winemakers Alisa Lee and Andy “Bee Hunter” Hock, focuses on small-lot wines sourced from Mendocino’s hidden vineyard gems. With an adventurous spirit, they produce distinctive Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc, showcasing the varied subregions of Mendocino. Each bottle is a tribute to the region’s richness, bringing a “bee hunter” attitude of exploration and discovery to every glass.
PANTHEA WINERY & VINEYARDS
A boutique winery deeply rooted in Anderson Valley, Panthea specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir, with small amounts of Chardonnay and Riesling rounding out their lineup. Known for their elegant, nuanced wines, Panthea embraces organic practices and minimal intervention. Their wines highlight the valley’s cool climate, offering a refined and harmonious taste of Mendocino.
THE VINEYARD VIBES PODCAST TEAM
LAURA LEVY SHATKIN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Laura’s background includes an editor-in-chief role for Napa Sonoma Magazine, where she also runs the Napa Sonoma Live podcast. Throughout her career, she has covered lifestyle content for various newspapers and magazines and created captivating videos, podcasts and broadcast content. She loves discovering new ideas in food, wine, spirits and travel. Her work appears in the Chicago Tribune, Make IT Better Magazine, SommJournal, Chicago Reader, Today’s Chicago Woman, Wine & Spirits Magazine, and the list continues to grow. The mediums range from print to video (for private clients and for media) and broadcast lifestyle TV production.
ELIZABETH ARCHER
EDITOR
Elizabeth lives in Mendocino County where she works in Communications for Bonterra Organic Estates, the largest regenerative organic certified winery in the U.S., and is the marketing chair for Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc., a nonprofit organization that supports the county’s grape growers and wineries. Elizabeth also hosts the Farm and Garden Show on Mendocino County’s listener-supported community radio station, KZYX, and is on the steering committee for the Good Farm Fund, a nonprofit that supports the local food system through farm grants and the Farmers Market Match program. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to cook, garden, and play on the beach with her beekeeper husband, their very active kid, and their ancient dog.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Our mission is to highlight the important and impactful stories of Mendocino County’s wine country and agritourism industry through Vineyard Vibes. This dynamic new podcast will delve into the heart of our local wine culture, featuring interviews with vintners, event highlights and insider insights into the region’s wine and travel scene.
As a sponsor, your business will gain exposure to a dedicated audience passionate about local culture, fine wine and unique travel experiences. Sponsorship opportunities include ad placements, episode mentions, and featured content on the podcast’s dedicated page.
Podcasts are an impactful marketing tool, especially among Gen Z, which is the current and next generation of wine lovers. Did you know that podcast listeners are more likely to purchase from brands advertised on their favorite podcasts than other mediums? And podcasts are projected to grow by 29% by 2027, representing 652 million listeners.
The time to align your brand with meaningful content that reaches wide audiences is now. Partner with us to connect your brand with an engaged community of wine enthusiasts and travelers!
VINEYARD VIBES ONE-PAGER
VINEYARD VIBES MEDIA KIT
