Visiting my friends at Toulouse and Navarro Vineyards in Anderson Valley, California, for two different wine tasting experiences with temperatures reaching up to 100+ degrees inland and a welcoming cool 60 degrees here on the Mendocino Coast my caretakers decided to take me on an excursion to see how my human & canine friends at Toulouse winery and my human friends at Navarro winery were fairing in the rising heat. So packing plenty of water, sunscreen along with my sunshades we headed out through the early morning fog from Fort Bragg to the eternal July sunshine of Anderson valley. The drive as usual was breathtaking in its scenic and varying climatic variances.
Our 1st stop was in Philo so my Dad’s could stop at Libby’s Restaurant for an early lunch. Although Libby’s does not offer outside dining, my dad’s found parking in deep shade for me. The outside temperature was very comfortable with a cross breeze that kept me cool and content. This was my dad’s first visit to Libby’s and by the sounds of their enthusiastic conversation as we continued our journey after their lunch onto the wineries; they enjoyed their experience very much. Libby’s offers delicious and generous portions of traditional Mexican fare and a few American standards in a café setting along with pleasant and efficient service.
Emme
As we continued our journey into the heart of Anderson Valley the temperature continued to rise as well as my excitement, especially as we turned off Highway 128 into the Toulouse Vineyard . Climbing up the hill towards the winery, I knew exactly where I was headed with ears pricked, tail wagging and nose twitching, I couldn’t wait to be let out of the car. Greeting us, as always as we pulled into the parking lot, was Emme (Vern and Maxine Boltz, Toulouse Vineyard Owner’s) adorable Havanese, along with Tess their golden lab and Tess number two, a half English Bull Dog and half Border Collie that belongs to Kathy and her husband who work at the vineyard. After plenty of sniffing, tail wagging and marking of my arrival, I noticed that Tess number two had a tennis ball. Well, that needed to be rectified pronto in a moment of Tess’s inattentiveness, I seized my opportunity and purloined it. Alas the ball had already been stripped of its fur and that somewhat put a damper on my steal, as that is the part I have the most fun with, the removal of the fur from a tennis ball. That is why they are contraband in my home because my vet told my dad’s that too much shedding of tennis balls can be extremely bad for my teeth and gums. Thank goodness I spotted Vern and Maxine’s parrot to distract me from my disappointment with the tennis ball. What a curious thing this Parrot bird is, as it sits happy as a clam on its perch in a large airy cage and torments me by being so close yet so far. I sit and stare intently until it moves and startles me, eliciting a bark or two. Soon I am told to be quiet by my dads and encouraged to come inside the cool shade of the tasting room to meet my human friends at Toulouse. First I go to the water bowl for a well needed thirst quencher and then I begin my rounds of investigation of the other visitors to the winery.
Toulouse Vineyard
Vern Boltz is usually always on hand to greet and share his passion of winemaking with the steady stream of wine enthusiast that stop in at the winery. “The vision for Toulouse Vineyards is to grow the highest quality grapes using sustainable farming practices and to produce the finest Pinot Noir infused with the fun and passion of winemaking. For Vern and Maxine Boltz, it has been an exciting journey beginning as fruit growers and evolving into producers of award-winning wines”.
Toulouse wines are receiving raves from not only loyal customers but from giants of the wine industry, from placing high in The Wine Spectator’s best Pinots to inclusion in Food & Wine Magazine’s worlds 30 best Pinot Noirs and the accolades keep on coming. Pinots are not Toulouse Vineyards only successful wine, their Pinot Gris, Riesling & Gewürztraminer are beginning to rival other revered brands.
Tasting wine at Toulouse is literally being in a good friend’s home. The tasting room is the barrel room below the Boltz’s residence; the Toulouse staff are nearly all long time friends of Vern & Maxine, all share the passion and enthusiasm of the wine process and business. As well as the barrel tasting room, shaded picnic tables are available on the patio offering a superb panorama of the majesty of Anderson Valley. There is a shared camaraderie between all employees and the public who visit Toulouse, where an inviting casual atmosphere welcomes two legged and four legged visitors with equal enthusiasm and hospitality. When my dad’s were first investigating pet friendly wineries in Anderson valley the response from Toulouse when asked on the phone if dogs were welcome was “You bet, bring them In”. Fellow canine Anderson Valley visitors – you will thank your caregivers for a visit to Toulouse.
Toulouse Vineyards, 8001 Highway 128, Philo, CA
www.toulousevineyards.com
Reluctantly leaving my friends at Toulouse and armed with a few bottles of wine to add to my caregiver’s cellar, we departed for another favorite vineyard of mine, Navarro. Navarro Vineyards is a long time favorite of visitors and Mendocino County locals. Producing exciting and exceptional wines in many varietals since 1973, Navarro encompasses over 900 acres in the beautiful splendor of Anderson Valley. Not only does Navarro wine win major awards and prestiges accolades from industry insiders, it receives constant praise and endorsements from local restaurants that feature their wines and the general public that continue to discover and revisit year after year the quality and variety of this Anderson valley wine producing gem.
The vineyard is easily accessible from Highway 128 and has ample parking, beautiful landscaping, several picnic areas, a wonderful reflecting pool built to honor a beloved black lab of the family and a great space for caregivers to allow us to utilize for the call of nature. They even have a poop scoop bag dispenser for extra connivance. Bowls of water for thirsty dogs are located outside the tasting room on the back deck.
Exiting the car, I make my way eagerly to the tasting room where I know my good friend Pat and Jackie and the whole Navarro tasting room crew will welcome me with affection and most importantly treats. Navarro is always a popular and a fun wine tasting experience. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant, and dogs are very welcome to partake in the wine tasting experience at Navarro. Navarro is a great venue in the valley for a picnic and this is greatly encouraged. The staff, as well as educating the public about their wines, will happily accommodate your picnicking needs. The tasting room has a refrigerator where a selection of pate and cheeses along with crackers and various accoutrement can be purchased and if you have forgotten to bring with your picnic a knife and chopping board, Navarro has a few on hand to loan.
Navarro Vineyard
You will find fellow wine enthusiasts at all times of the day idyllically grazing (just like the sheep you will see at Navarro feasting between the vines – another anomaly of the animal world to me). Like me, visitors were socializing and nibbling on delicious food while gazing at the magnificence of the valley that is surrounding them. Many guests were sharing like my dad’s these moments of magic with their four legged companions. “Wine is sunlight, held together by water” (Galileo Galilei 1564-1642) – never can a quote hold so true as enjoying a glass of Navarro wine outside on a warm summer day at one of the winerie’s picnic tables, many located under the flowering wisteria in the gardens overlooking the vines of one of the oldest and beloved vineyards in Anderson Valley.
Navarro Vineyard, 5601 Highway 128, Philo, CA
http://navarrowine.com
