I have been so honored to attend The Pinot Noir Festival over the past several years. I have been able to meet and reconnect with some of my favorite Winemakers, and of course, have some fabulous Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir has been one of my favorite wines for some time, and learning more from those who make it is my favorite part! COVID has changed the winemaking business entirely, like it has everything else, but the winemaking didn’t stop.. Continue reading to see The 2021 Pinot Noir Fest, A New World of Pinot Noir that took place in the beautiful Anderson Valley this year.

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival: Day 1

The Anderson Valley is filled with so many great views due to its perfect location (approx 2-2.5 hours North of San Francisco) and amazing scenery. It is home to some of my favorite wineries that you can see here on The Top 10 Anderson Valley Wineries I Adore.

Seawolf Winery

As you’re heading to Anderson Valley I suggest you stop along the way at Seawolf Winery which is located in Yorkville about 30-45 minutes South of Boonville.  This is a small winery making lovely wines that is family owned.

A great view with a lovely set up to start the day with some wine. I couldn’t imagine how it could get better than this..

I love Rosé, especially Rosé of Pinot Noir by Seawolf Wines. This was super light and delicate. Speaking of Rose Wines, check out my blog post on The Best Rosé’s of Pinot Noir I Adore.

So lucky I was able to chat with Seawolf Winemaker Jesse Hall. Him and his wife live in Healdsburg and we connected over wine of course before being invited up to visit in Yorkville.

All of the lovely little details like the flowers on the table to go along with the wine tasting makes the experience that much more memorable. The tasting experience here is so charming and it’s $25 per person to taste 4-5 wines. This is definately worth planning a visit to on your way to Boonville (Anderson Valley).

Lichen Estate

Next stop was a visit to Lichen Estate which is located in Boonville. They make stunning Sparkling Wines and still Pinot Noir which I also really enjoyed!

Lichen Estate has definitely caught my eye recently as their wines are fantastic. I recently featured them in The Best California Sparkling Wineries as their Sparkling Wine is amazing.

Such a pleasure to see and spend the day with Margaret (aka Ernie’s other Mom). We had the best stay at the Boonville Inn during this weekend of Pinot Noir and ladies fun!

The Boonville Hotel & Restaurant

The restaurant at the Boonville Hotel was definitely one of the highlights from the weekend. The food below was just as delicious as it looks. Great service, and wildly impressive presentation. My mouth is watering just looking back at it…

We started off the evening with Beausoleil Oysters which had pink peppercorn and rose blossom mignonette.

Next up was the Chilled Hass Avocado Soup with chive and lovage buttermilk.  We enjoyed a bottle of the Baxter Pinot Noir (a favorite of mine). Read more about Baxter in my Anderson Valley Top 10 Wineries post here.

For the main course, I went with a delicious Fish dish that was topped with asparagus and tangerine slices.

Of course I can’t forget about the dessert! The Rhubarb and blueberries over merengue included lemon curd and Chantilly cream.

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival: Day 2

I started off my Saturday morning with some light WSET studying, and was then treated with an amazing breakfast.. How lucky am I! I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for the rest of the day. Speaking of WSET check out my WSET 3 Study Guide on the blog here.

Domaine Anderson

Our first stop day of the Anderson Valley Pinot Fest was Domaine Anderson. Domaine Anderson is one of my favorite wineries in Anderson Valley making stunning Pinot Noir Wines I adore! Read more about Domaine Anderson and their gorgoues tasting room designed by my friend, Designer Patricia Roberts (shown below) on The Top 10 Anderson Valley Wineries post here.  

So much fun getting to taste with my friend Patricia Roberts the Interior Designer of Domaine Anderson. She’s beyond talented which you’ll see when you visit Domaine Anderson’s stunning winery that she designed.

Our next stop was back at The Boonville Inn & Hotel tasting with Winemaker Ashley Holland of Read Holland Wines. Her wines are also lovely. We met years ago during my Harvest at Three Sticks Wines. Read all about my Three Sticks Wines harvest here. 

A delicious pizza made by Chef & Owbner Perry. These pizza’s were divine, so good we may have had seconds!

I enjoyed learning about Wentworth Wines from Winemaker Mark Wentworth of Wentworth Vineyard & Ranch

A glass of delicious Wentworth Pinot Nioir and an amazing pizza, I’m in paradise!

So much to finally meet Wells Guthrie (formerly of Copain Wines which he started) and now at Dupuis Wines. 

Me and Winemaker Randy of Handley Cellars. I’ve been visiting Handley Cellars since my first visit to Anderson Valley (in 2014 or so). They’re truly the best. Family owned and operated by Lulu Handley (second generation) and Randy is the talented winemaker of Handley Cellars.

Cheers to an amazing tasting! This tasting area was one of the most beautiful I have tasted in. The greenery truly felt magical. I am now so ready for dinner..

The Bewildered Pig

Our dinner at The Bewildered Pig featured wine from Lichen Estate which I was ecstatic about since I love their wines.

Starting off with a Spring Onion and Asparagus Soup with smoked trout roe, chive and lemon oil. This soup was beyond delicious as was the entire meal!

Next up was the Cherry Wood Smoked Black Cod with baby beets, arugula and toasted red quinoa. I then finished the evening with their delicious Red velvet cake.

As the evening came to a close, I went back to my room to enjoy a final glass of wine by the fire, what an amazing weekend! I can’t wait for next year!