Wine Grapes and Bulk Wine from Mendocino County
Mendocino is one of California's larger wine counties by area, yet grapes cover only about 0.8 percent of the land. Mendocino Winegrowers reports about 17,470 planted acres and roughly 570 vineyards, most held by family farmers, spread across twelve approved appellations. Anderson Valley is the best known, and Mendocino Ridge is the only non-contiguous appellation in the United States.
What sets the county apart for many buyers is organic farming. The grower group reports that about 25 percent of Mendocino's wine grapes are certified organic, and that the county holds about one third of all organic wine grape acreage in California. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah are the most common reds, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc the leading whites.
If organic or sustainable fruit matters to your brand, the farming practice filter on HarvestLink lets you narrow Mendocino lots by declared practice. Practices are declared by the seller, so ask for the certificate.
Wine grapes by the ton
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Bulk wine by the gallon
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What to check before you buy or sell
- If you plan an organic or "made with organic grapes" claim, ask for the certificate and confirm it covers the specific block and vintage.
- Ask which of the twelve appellations the fruit comes from. Anderson Valley and warmer inland areas grow very different wines.
- Cooler areas often mean later picks and lower brix, so confirm the brix target and the harvest window.
- Compare lots on price per ton or per gallon, and ask whether the price reflects a certification premium.
Frequently asked questions
How much of Mendocino is organic?
Mendocino Winegrowers reports that about 25 percent of the county's wine grapes are certified organic, and that Mendocino holds about one third of California's organic wine grape acreage. Figures come from the grower group and change over time.
Are farming practices verified on HarvestLink?
No. Practices such as organic, biodynamic or sustainable are declared by the seller. Ask for the certificate, the certifier, the scope and the expiry date before you rely on a claim.
What is Mendocino Ridge?
It is an appellation made up of separate high-elevation areas above the fog line, and it is the only non-contiguous American Viticultural Area in the United States.
Guides that help
Related regions and varieties
Sources
Figures come from the sources above and change over time. Educational information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
About HarvestLink
HarvestLink is an online marketplace where wine grape growers, wineries, and wine brands buy and sell wine grapes and bulk wine directly, including confidential listings under NDA.