McDowell Valley - Wine Region of the Day

McDowell Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.


The McDowell Valley AVA is located on 540 acres in southeastern Mendocino County, California. The appellation consists of sloped bench land at elevations as high as 1,000 feet that overlook the Russian River to the west. McDowell Valley is colder than the surrounding areas of Mendocino County. Currently there are no wineries operating in the AVA. Poor Ranch still has a vineyard block in McDowell Valley but they generally label their wines as Mendocino.  Sadly, another ghost AVA.