California's northernmost major wine county, known for its wild coastline, redwood forests, and Anderson Valley's cool climate sub-AVA (already in DB). Mendocino County proper encompasses warmer inland valleys producing Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, while pioneering the organic and biodynamic movement in California viticulture. Fetzer, Bonterra, and Frey Vineyards established the county as America's first major organic wine region.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Good Mendocino growing season; inland warmth produced concentrated Zinfandel and Petite Sirah |
| 2022 | — | Reliable vintage across the county; organic producers particularly rewarded with clean, vibrant fruit |
| 2021 | — | Smoke-affected in places; best inland sites produced wines of characteristic rusticity and warmth |
| 2020 | — | Challenging wildfire year; Redwood Valley old-vine Zinfandel showed resilience and concentration |
| 2019 | — | Benchmark Mendocino vintage; finest Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in recent memory |
| 2018 | — | good |