Mendocino County’s authentic “green” credentials are unsurpassed by any other wine region in the world. The region is dominated by family farmers, many of whom have lived for two or more generations on their land—some tracing their roots to the first settlers in the 1850s. The entire farming community has a rare appreciation of the connection between man and earth. These farmers, grape growers and
winemakers among them, were at the forefront of the sustainable, organic, Demeter certified Biodynamic®, and Fish Friendly farming movement long before it gained the attention of the general population. “America’s Greenest Wine Region” is not a marketing slogan: it is the true reflection of all that this vast and varied county offers those who seek healthy foods and beverages and accessible yet pristine travel destinations. Wineries & Vineyards
Mendocino County is home to 91 bonded wineries and 550 vineyard entities.
28% of Mendocino County’s winegrapes are certified organic or Biodynamic ‐‐ substantially higher than any other region in the U.S. Fish Friendly Farming is a growing certification: FFF certified sites total 58 representing 3,522 vineyard acres and 12,497 certified acres across the county’s natural wilderness. Approximately 71% of Mendocino County land certified as Fish Friendly is in fact wildrness land -- the highest of any of the wine regions. The number of FFF certified entities today is up 260% since mid-2004. Enrollment in the process is growing – by over 60 in the last 2 1/2 years. Within the county, there’s currently a higher enrollment in this program than any other green certification. Other noteworthy facts about certification include:
Mendocino County is home of to:
the first organic winery in the U.S., founded in 1980, and the first producer of US biodynamic wine, 1996 (Frey Vineyards)
solar-powered winery (McDowell Valley Vineyards). Today individual winery energy use is up to 100% solar (Philo Ridge Vineyards)
the wine industry’s largest solar array, generating 1.1 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually and supplying 80% of the winery’s electricity needs (Fetzer Vineyards)
the largest certified organic grower in the state (Fetzer vineyards)
the largest organic wine producer in the United States (Bonterra)
1/3 of the total organic winegrape acreage in CA is in Mendocino County
Mendocino County has the largest percentage of acreage of certified organic winegrapes in California and in the US
