As freshness and elegance are key characteristics to the Louis Roederer house style, it was imperative to find the optimal location in California to create high acid Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Roederer Estate decided that Mendocino County had a more similar climate than Napa and Sonoma to Champagne.
In 1982 French Champagne Houses had their eyes on California due to the terroir and the ability to create a world-class wines (as seen in 1978 at the Judgement of Paris). Roederer Estate - Roederer Estate is the American sibling of Champagne Louis Roederer. Anderson Valley Wine Country is charming, welcoming, warm, and hospitable. It is a great wine country to visit due to the laid back atmosphere of the tasting rooms, the smaller crowds, and the commitment to quality from the winemakers. Anderson Valley is significantly smaller than Sonoma, Alexander Valley and Napa Valley. The sparkling wineries in Anderson Valley focus on quality over quantity, and this is most apparent at the two wineries that focus on Sparkling California Wine (which can be argued to be the best in not only California but in the whole of the United States).
This diurnal range allows for the grapes to ripen slowly and fully, which is perfect for growing high acidity Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as Alsatian varietals: Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat.
Mendocino County is Northwest of Sonoma County and is characterized by rolling fog that burns off in the late morning/early afternoon creating a large diurnal range. Anderson Valley is a steep valley in Mendocino County California. This Anderson ValleyWine Country Guide currently focuses on sparkling wineries as well as a great place to stay during a Mendocino County wine country getaway. Anderson Valley California is a wine destination in Mendocino County that is a quick two hour drive from San Francisco.