The town of Elk and its surroundings are well know for their great wineries. The entire area has the perfect climate for growing grapes. However, you shouldn't choose just any Elk Winery. Here are BBOnline's top picks for award winning wineries.
Drew Family Cellars
31351 Pilo Greenwood Road
Elk, California 95432
(707) 877-1771
www.drewwines.com
Run by Jason and Molly Drew, this professional Elk Winery is the perfect place to visit during your stay in an Elk Bed and Breakfast. Drew Family Cellars features Pinot Noir and Syrah from their vineyards in Anderson Valley, the Sonoma Coast, the Yorkville Highlands and the Santa Rita Hills. They always produce their wines in very small quantities which sell out quickly, so it's much better to be part of their mailing list, because they will notify you when new wines are coming out. In 2009, the winery was awarded "Winery of the Year" by Wine and Spirits Magazine. There is no tasting room within the actual winery, but you can taste the finished product at The Glendeven Inn and Wine Bar.
Breggo Cellars
45070 Main Street
Mendocino, California 95460
(707) 937-9900
www.breggo.com
Only a short drive from Elk, Breggo Cellars, in the picturesque town of Mendocino, is an excellent winery to visit, not just for the wines themselves, but also for the beautiful, relaxed atmosphere. The tasting room has a spectacular view of the ocean, and is a wonderful place to go with a loved one. The wines produced at Breggo Cellars include Syrah, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose of Syrah. All of these wines are high quality and flavorful. Voted by Food and Wine Magazine as the "Best New Winery" in 2008, this winery also displays local arts and crafts including jewelry, baskets, glass and more available for purchase. Breggo Cellars is a fantastic winery and one of the best you can visit during your Elk Inn vacation.
Baxter Winery
28000 Greenwood Road
Elk, California 95466
(707) 744-1250
www.baxterwinery.com
The Baxter Winery, which focuses on single vineyard wines, is owned and operated by the Baxter family. The founder, Phil Baxter, actually studied wine making before getting more experience and finally opening his own winery. His son, who studied viticulture and enology, and has worked in France, now works for the family business as well. They use Old World techniques, meaning that they utilize indigenous yeasts to keep the process more natural, and produce unfiltered, quality wines on excellent vineyards. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, which enhances the flavor and character of the wines, and their specialties include Pinot Noir, Carignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. This friendly Elk Winery is one you should not miss.
There are other outstanding wineries in the town of Elk as well, but the Drew Family Cellars, Breggo Cellars and the Baxter Winery are exceptional in everything from the wine, to the environment, to the service and to the convenience.