History, heritage and trailblazing are a few of my favorite things — alongside beautiful, seasonal, locally grown and produced culinary herbs and spices, garlic braids, bay leaf wreaths, wild rice and . . . oh, delicious wine.
And so when an invitation to drive up through the misty morning's newly-greened hills of Northern Sonoma County and over the border into neighboring Mendocino County made it into my inbox this November, I didn't have to think twice about a visit to the sweetest little Blue Quail Wines Tasting Room that is located in the heart of Hopland gateway to McFadden Farm's more remote, organic Potter Valley vineyards.
Click here for garlic and herb wreath
Blue Quail Patriarch and experimental farmer Guinness McFadden, planted the first vines, tucked into the Northwest corner in Potter Valley back in 1970, ignoring the initial nay-sayers who claimed the climate at 1,200 feet in altitude was too inhospitable to produce world-class wines, all the while raising a family of five kids on his farm in the hills alongside his highly sought-after grapes.
Today, all of the family wine grapes are still estate grown and organic. The McFaddens proudly carry on this family tradition while representing their small valley across the USA. Guinness, it's good to hear, thriving in his 80s, maintains the homestead and extensive vineyards and farm while younger generations steer the reigns of sales and marketing and distribution.
It's always a pleasure to meet multi-generational wine families. It's a romantic way of life if you're not the one living it day in, day out, but it takes real stamina and vision and commitment to continue to grow and produce the kind of wines that win best of class in a highly competitive marketplace.
I've been a fan of Mendocino County sparkling wines for years and I make a bee-line for them when I'm stocking my fridge for the holidays and other celebrations. But I had yet to taste a McFadden Cuvee Brut.
Now that I have, thanks to Fontaine McFadden's lovely little get-together in which I not only tasted, but learned about the integrity of the family's award winning bubbly, I'm going all-in on the 2021 Cuvee Brut for this holiday season. Made by méthod Champenoise, this striking sparkling is 100% traditional and made with the family's estate grown, organic grapes (45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir). It is aged in the bottle for four whole years before it is released which helps to develop the apple and bready yeast notes that make this wine a fantastic sparkling for all occasions.
The McFadden's organically grown fruit has won out over Roederer Estate and Scharrfenberger Cellars for the past two years in the coveted Sparkling Wine category of the Mendocino County Fair which is a big deal, as both competitors make terrific bubbly.
Who wouldn't love to receive an award winning Bay and Bubbly gift this winter?
The McFadden's use different farming techniques across 10 varietals to enhance their individual characteristics and terroir of the stunning piece of land that straddles the Russian River and the border of Mendocino National Forest. Once harvested, grapes are whole cluster pressed and then cold-fermented in stainless steel, which results in super clean, crisp wines, true to the varietal character.
12,000 cases of wine a year are produced under three labels: Blue Quail McFadden (Sparkling) and Fontaine (Rose).
Because the farm and vineyards are altogether a long way off the beaten track, a tasting room along the busy 101 corridor in the heart of Hopland makes perfect sense. As fate would have it, a total remodel was completed days before the pandemic shut down in March of 2020 and traffic through Hopland slowed to a virtual halt until May of this year.
Now that we're all out and about again and familiar with the mask mandate and other protocols, aren't we ready to rediscover our region and venture out a little farther over county lines when the weather is nice?
Hopland is a fun little day-trip destination with its 12 wineries, Hopland Tap, with its live music and locally sourced food & wines and beers from the finest brewers in the land, The Solar Living Institute’s 12 acres of grounds that contain kids’ play areas, ponds, and native plantings is nearby and don't forget the Bluebird Café, renowned for its giant moose head, its wide selection of unusual burgers and great pies as well as its sister restaurant, The Golden Pig.
Right next door to the Blue Quail Tasting Room is a darling little coffee shop Steep Organic Coffees and Teas.
"It's really a family operation on every level," says Fontaine, whose family business employs its dedicated farm and vineyard team through each season of the year. The farm's foreman has been with them for 48 years, two more cherished employees for 38 years.
In 2017, wildfire burned on all sides of the McFadden's property, which is located on the corner of a dead-end in Potter Valley. Considering that no one other than the UPS driver ventures that far on a daily basis, it's a miracle that the property was spared.
Fontaine and her siblings grew up roaming the land freely and exploring its bucolic swimming holes in summer. Each July wine club members are welcome to experience an epic farm weekend of camping and feasting on a traditional hog roast.
I came home with a beautiful wreath, a couple of bottles of Blue Quail 2020 Chardonnay and bubbly — this 50th Anniversary edition was a hit with my fellow tasters and I've no doubt we'll be buying more. Fresh and bright with orchard fruit aromas and priced competitively at $16 a bottle, it's another winner in my book. Great value for a wine made with California Certified Organic fruit.
Who doesn't love a great dry Rosé? Appropriately named Fontaine, this one is as delightful as its namesake. A crisp, dry Rosé of Pinot Noir, it is well-balanced with strawberry notes and fresh flowers dominating the nose. Also a super deal at $16 a bottle. Click here to order.
Blue Quail Sauvingnon Blanc another $16 steal is bright and refreshing with ripe honeydew melon upfront balanced by a crisp acidity that sings off the palette. Zippy green apple, tart citrus, flint and smoke on the nose. The palate is rich, textured, and fruity with lots of fresh acidity and it's no surprise that this is a best seller.
If You Go:
The Blue Quail Tasting Room is located at 13275 S, US-101, Hopland, CA 95449 right in the middle of town, on the right hand side if you're traveling north. Tasting Room is open for drop-ins Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11 am to 5pm. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Appointments are available if you can't make the opening times/days. Call (707) 744-8463.
Staying Over? Check out the nearby newly refurbished The Thatcher Hotel with its Cafe Poppy, Bar, Library, pool and outdoor courtyard. This fully restored Victorian hotel was established in 1890 by founder and pioneer William Thatcher. The hotel's long, mahogany bar and dining room has been the heart of the community's social life for more than a century. The 21-room hotel, formerly known as the Hopland Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a little spooky looking with its dark-painted gingerbread trim, but take a peek at its web site as the redo, rooms and shared spaces are gorgeous.
- Holiday GIFT idea: from the farm's Bay Leaf Trees the family makes Wreaths, Garlands and Swag, keeping long time employees busy year round — you and your gifting recipients will enjoy the festive look of a fresh green wreath in the kitchen or front door and when it dries, simply pluck off a bay leaf for soups, stews and any cooking! Click here for the collection.
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