By now most of you who read my blog regularly know how pet friendly the wineries of Mendocino County are and what unique experiences each one provides its four legged visitors along with their uprights. So imagine the thrill when I heard about a wine tasting location in Anderson Valley that has recently opened encompassing three of my most favorite things, wine tasting, cheese tasting and shopping all in one exquisite experience.
Pull into the Madrones, a Mediterranean-looking complex in Philo, to sip at four tasting rooms (tasting fee $5 each). Just admiring the architecture of the complex, a 20-year labor of love for the owner, could take hours. Throw in a visit to the Sun & Cricket store, selling tools, books, and antiques harkening back to an earlier, more agricultural time, and you may be ready to spend the night. Luckily, you can–there are two separate guest quarters on the property.
The workshops at the Madrones pay homage to tried-and-true locals who’ve been at it for a while, like Fran Gage and her Old Chatham Ranch olive oil. Workshops include a cooking class, lunch, a takeout meal, and a field experience.
If you decide to stay in Anderson Valley, The Madrones just added two additional luxury guest quarters to their Mediterranean-style retreat which also features local vintner tasting rooms and periodic workshops in handcrafted foods. 9000 Highway 128, Philo.
Read the full article at californiahomedesign.com.
“Blink and you might miss it.” I think those words may have just been coined for The Madrones, located in Mendocino County between Boonville and Philo. Just on my last trip to Mendocino County, I had driven right by it several times and didn’t even notice. Yet I think that’s part of the ambiance that makes The Madrones what it is: Part tasting room, part boutique shop, part gardens, and part accommodations.
Towering redwood forests lead to foggy seaside cliffs on this magical series of interconnected hikes. The experience starts among stately redwoods in the 80-acre Hendy Woods State Park, in the town of Philo (also known for its vineyards and apple orchards), then connects to the 11-mile-long Navarro River Redwoods State Park, where trails pass through second-growth forest. They lead all the way to the foggy coastal village of Mendocino, perched on seaside cliffs with surging waves below. The Madrones in Philo has partnered with Glendeven Inn in Mendocino to provide maps and luggage transfer.
