The following is a press release issued by Mendocino Winegrowers Incorporated:
Mendocino County, renowned for its vast, rugged landscapes and commitment to organic and regenerative viticulture, has been named America’s Wine Region of the Year for 2024 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. This prestigious honor highlights Mendocino County’s rich history, diverse terroir, and growing influence within the wine industry, nationally and abroad.
Mendocino County is one of California’s most distinctive and eco-conscious wine regions, and this accolade reflects the region’s excellence in winemaking, sustainability efforts, and the close-knit community of winegrowers who have made Mendocino a standout destination for wine lovers looking for hidden gems.
Mendocino Winegrowers Incorporated (MWI), the organization representing the region’s producers, is thrilled by the recognition. “This award is a testament to the passion, resilience, and dedication of Mendocino’s wine community,” said MWI Executive Director Bonnie Butcher. “Our winemakers have long been pioneers in organic and sustainable farming, dating to the Back to the Land movement, and this acknowledgment from Wine Enthusiast reinforces our commitment to producing world-class wines that reflect the terroir and values of our region.”
Of the county’s vast 2.5 million acres, just over 15,000 acres are planted to grapes, with about 100 wineries operating at any given time. Mendocino County’s unique geography, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Mayacamas mountain range, provides the ideal climate for grape growing, resulting in a kaleidoscope of flavors for winemakers to work with. The county’s 12 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) encompass many landscapes: cool, coastal vineyards with strong fog influence; warm inland valleys with rolling, sunbaked hills; and mountains covered with forest and chaparral, where grapevines cling to the slopes at 2,000+ feet. Among this array of microclimates are areas ideal for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel, as well as other notable varietals like Gewürztraminer. Mendocino County’s most famous region, the Anderson Valley, is particularly known for its Pinot Noir festival every May.
“Our wines are exceptional and affordable, our leadership in organic and regenerative viticulture is unmatched, and our growers and winemakers share a strong sense of community,” says third-generation Husch Vineyards co-owner Zac Robinson, whose winery won two Best in Show awards at the recent Mendocino County Wine Competition. “It all combines to make Mendocino County a really special place.”
Mendocino County is also known for its accessible, old growth redwood groves, its famous Pacific coastline, and for being one of the most dog-friendly places to visit in the state. “There’s something for everyone here,” says Ramon Jimenez, executive director of Visit Mendocino. “Thanks to this award, more people will get to discover what we’ve known all along – that Mendocino County is magical.” He emphasizes that Mendocino is a great place to visit year-round. “We have harvest events in September and October, a mushroom festival in November, a seafood festival in January, several whale festivals in March and April, a world-renowned film festival in May, and so many summer events I couldn’t possibly list them all,” says Jimenez. “And it’s usually sunny.”
A group of Mendocino vintners, along with MWI and Visit Mendocino, will accept the American Wine Region of the Year award on the county’s behalf at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award Gala in San Francisco on January 27, 2025.
Fantastic recognition for the Vintners, I would loathe a large influx of new plantings which with the descent of the Cannabis market could be a real concern.
It’s a fair point, but given the state of the wine industry it’s far more likely that quite a few vineyards will be pulled out than added, despite the recognition. So much fruit left hanging this year unfortunately for our county’s growers
This is true, many growers were left with unsold Fruit. The Wines of Sonoma are irrigation driven with enormous impact on water supply, water that too often comes from Mendocino Aquifers.
What I don’t like about the wine and alcohol industry Is the owners of these businesses are getting all of the credit for producing a wine when they just stand around and watch their wines get produced by their workers. And they don’t even pass any type of gratitude down to their workers at all. No raises, no paid time off, no extra incentives, they just get “hey thanks” at best if that.
I feel like the wine industry workers should get more credit than the winery itself. The owners of these businesses are all alcoholics anyway.